Jiang Yueyang glanced at Master Wunian, then flipped through the pages again and discovered that some of the Buddhist names were circled in red ink.
She pointed at the Buddhist names circled in red ink and asked Master Wu Nian: "Who are these monks..."
"Didn't Mr. Jiang come here just for them?"
Jiang Yueyang understood that those monks who were circled in red and black had committed crimes.
"Thank you Master Wu Nian for your help." Jiang Yueyang thanked him and turned to look at Abbot Wu Wang, "Please ask Abbot Wu Wang to gather all the monks in the temple to listen to your holy will."
Abbot Wuwang clasped his hands together and said, "Very good, I will arrange it right away."
After saying this, he left in a hurry.
More than two quarters of an hour later, the lecture hall of the Huguo Temple was filled with monks, and officers and soldiers from the Dali Temple were on standby outside.
Jiang Yueyang stood in front of the Buddha, facing Master Wunian and Abbot Wuwang, as well as a group of monks behind them.
She took out the imperial edict from the box held by Guyu and said in a loud voice: "The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: I, the ruler of the world, shall take the people's livelihood and the prosperity of the country as my top priority.
Huguo Temple has always been a pure place for Buddhism. It has made many contributions to promoting Buddhism and saving all living beings. I am very pleased.
However, looking at the Huguo Temple today, there are many monks gathered and their number is gradually increasing.
Although Buddhism is a quiet place for practice, there are too many monks in the temple, which has caused many inconveniences.
First, it costs a huge amount of money and grain, which is of no benefit to the people's livelihood. Second, it goes against the original intention of pure cultivation and is not conducive to the promotion of the correct path of Buddhism.
I am worried about this, so I have issued this decree to reduce the number of monks in Huguo Temple and order them to return to secular life.
The monks chosen may have unfinished worldly ties or may not have a deep affinity with Buddhism.
After returning to secular life, one should strictly abide by the laws of the country and not be lazy because of one's past as a monk. One can cultivate the land or learn a skill to earn a living with hard-working hands.
I also hope that the monks who stay behind can concentrate on their practice and improve Buddhism. The Huguo Temple should continue to uphold the spirit of compassion and pray for all people in the world.
You should obey the emperor's will and not cause trouble.
So decreed! "
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