Chapter 92: The Buddhist-Taoist Debate
The Buddhist-Taoist debate, this conference where Buddhism and Taoism compete with each other, should not be held on either side's territory.
Unfortunately, the Taoist monks of the previous generation lost to the Buddhists. As a bet, the venue for this Buddhist-Taoist knowledge conference was decided to be held in the Buddhist world.
Whether it is to spread Buddhism or to put psychological pressure on opponents, this is a good choice.
Just like now, Buddhism is making every effort to demonstrate its own strengths.
After the morning bell rang, a Buddha statue formed by the Buddha's light appeared in front of many pagodas in the Buddhist world. There were a total of seventy-two Buddha statues.
Seventy-two Buddha statues recited and explained the Buddhist scriptures at the same time, so that all believers in the Buddhist world could hear them.
In the sky above the Buddhist world, magical power gathered to form auspicious signs such as rainbows and cranes. In the city's small river, lotus flowers bloomed one after another.
The heaven and earth echo each other, the beauty is breathtaking, making people feel as if they are in a fairyland.
Only after the chanting is finished can the formal discussion of Buddhist knowledge and Taoism truly begin.
The venue for the conference is naturally on Lingshan Mountain. Citizens from all over the city can climb to the first to ninth floors of Lingshan Mountain to watch the projection.
The conference itself was held on the tenth floor, and those who could go to the tenth floor to watch were people of a certain status.
Of course, if you donate a few more golden Buddha statues, we can arrange for you to be included.
In the central area of the tenth floor of Lingshan, there is a spacious arena, on which two figures are sitting cross-legged facing each other.
It was the Taoist Fusu and the Buddhist Huiyuan.
There was a vast aura of immortality surrounding Fusu's body, and there was also a burst of Buddha's light surrounding the Buddha's son.
Surrounding the arena were circles of spectators, including many Buddhist disciples, Zhou Zhilu and others, as well as visitors from various ethnic groups.
The first one was a debate between Buddhism and Taoism. After all, as the two major religions today, it would be unreasonable to start fighting right away.
After the two of them saluted each other.
The Buddhist disciple Huiyuan smiled faintly and said, "This scene reminds me of the recorded Master Juexin. It's a pity that Master Juexin passed away so early that I didn't get to see him in person."
Fusu's face turned cold when he heard this.
The uncle Juexin mentioned by Buddhist disciples is also called Master Zishu, who was originally a Taoist monk of a certain generation a hundred years ago.
Later, during a debate with Buddhist disciples of the time, they made a bet that the loser would join the other party's sect.
The result was naturally that Master Zishu shaved his head and became a Buddha, with the Dharma name Juexin.
This has always been the shame of Taoism!
Fusu snorted coldly, "Humph, they say Buddhism cultivates the mind, but I didn't expect you to start attacking the mind right away. Regardless of how Buddhism works, at least your realm is not up to par."
The Buddhist disciple said calmly, "It's just a matter of showing off one's eloquence. The Daoist sect is only good at this. We have a Holy Buddha in the world today, but where is your Daoist Master?"
Fusu's face turned slightly cold. Daozun was the highest level title in Taoism. It was not enough for everyone to believe in it, but one's strength had to reach the highest ninth level.
I couldn't help but feel annoyed. Master, what a disappointment! He only holds his disciples back!
Then the two of them talked about Buddhism, and Fusu spoke first:
"Buddhism is too unrealistic. Putting hope in the past and the future, these illusory things, is nothing but the three evil paths and six realms. It is an escape. Life is in the present moment!"
The Buddha said calmly: "Buddhism is not about escaping. If you want to know the cause of your past life, look at the one who is suffering in this life. If you want to know the result of your future life, look at the one who is doing it in this life. What we advocate is goodness."
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding Buddhist disciples nodded in agreement.
Fusu shook his head and said, "Humans have seven emotions and six desires. The goodness you advocate is nothing more than eliminating human desires."
Upon hearing this, the Buddha's disciples were also puzzled: "Then dare I ask whether the Tao gave rise to all things? Is this Tao knowledgeable or ignorant?"
Fusu replied: "The Tao is the law of heaven and earth, and it is naturally knowing."
The Buddha seized the opportunity and asked, "Since the Tao is sentient, it should only give birth to good people. Why does it also give birth to evil people?
"Since the Tao does not distinguish between good and evil, it must be ignorant. If it is ignorant, how can it give birth to all things and become a model for all things in heaven and earth to follow?"
Fusu frowned when he heard this, and applause broke out around the ring. This is the advantage of being at home.
Zhou Zhilu and others in the audience couldn't help but worry for Fusu when they saw this.
But Fusu smiled and replied, "May I ask what is good and evil, my friend?"
Buddhist: "To do the right thing is good, to do the wrong thing is evil."
Fusu sneered, "Then what is right and wrong? Right and wrong are nothing more than ideologies and rules formulated by those in power today to maintain stability.
"If an evil person kills my parents and I resist and kill them, then am I an evil person?"
The Buddha frowned and said: "When a righteous person practices evil, the evil becomes righteous; when an evil person practices righteous, the righteous becomes evil. Everything is created by the mind."
Seeing the other party fall into the trap, Fusu laughed and said, "If that's the case, then I should do good. But I have done something wrong, so I should do evil. Isn't that a contradiction?"
The Buddhist disciple frowned, but before he could explain, he heard Fusu taking advantage of the victory and saying:
"Right and wrong are like this, as are good and evil. They are merely different standards between roles in the world. Moreover, Buddhism also has the saying of laying down the butcher knife and becoming a Buddha instantly. If good and evil are determined at birth, and all living beings on earth possess the wisdom and virtue of the Tathagata, wouldn't that be nonsense?"
Zhou Zhilu in the audience couldn't help but clench his fist when he heard this. The opponent used the Tao to create all things to attack, and Fusu also used the appearance of all beings as mentioned by the Buddha to fight back, which was just right.
The Buddhist disciples around them also frowned, imagining how they would answer if they were on the stage.
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