You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 195 Cultivation is Good While Staying in the Palace

Tianji nodded slightly and praised, "Your Majesty's skill in facing the wall is profound."

Emperor Shunzhi rubbed his face, slowly stood up, and said, "Thank you, Master. I feel much better now. Master, I still don't know which sect or school you belong to?"

Theravada Buddhism.

What are the Dharma Master's views on Theravada Buddhism and Gelug Buddhism?

"Theravada Buddhism emphasizes self-improvement, self-liberation, and diligent self-discipline, so I will not comment on anything else."

Emperor Shunzhi greatly appreciated Tianji's attitude.

"I wish to bestow rewards upon you, but I wonder if you, my lord, would be interested in such mundane things as gold, silver, and official titles?"

A knowing smile:

"Why not reward this humble monk with 50 bushels of white rice, and grant him permission to leave the palace for one day to distribute this white rice to the world? This would both enhance my personal cultivation and allow me to spread the benevolence of the royal family."

"500 shi! I hereby order Shuntian Prefecture to assist in the procurement."

"Amitabha."

……

Shunzhi suddenly asked:

"Master, will keeping you in the deep palace hinder your attainment of enlightenment?"

A thought struck Tianji.

The day I've been waiting for has finally arrived!

He shook his head.

"No, no, it is not an obstacle at all, but rather a blessing in disguise for this humble monk."

Shunzhi immediately became interested.

"Please explain, Venerable Master?"

"Has Your Majesty not heard the saying, 'Serving in public office is a good way to cultivate oneself'?"

"I've heard of it, but I don't know much about it."

"Humans say that government offices are not to be entered, but I say that government offices are good for spiritual practice. If you can straighten out the right path without confusion, lotus flowers will bloom under your feet." This means that being in a government office is better for spiritual practice than being in a Buddhist temple. As an official, you can help more people and punish more evildoers. If a monk wants to accumulate merit and do good deeds, he should choose a government office rather than a temple. If he chooses a palace, it is far better than a government office.

"Exquisite and unparalleled, the Master is truly a master."

For the first time, Emperor Shunzhi felt as if he had been enlightened.

He even had a small thought: if everyone in the world had such a state of mind, with emperors striving for progress, officials helping others and the people content with their poverty, wouldn't that be paradise on earth?
Looking at the ambitious Shunzhi Emperor, the monk Tianji guessed a thing or two.

When it comes to understanding people's hearts, he is in the stratosphere.

In terms of grand ideals, he has already soared beyond the atmosphere.

Even Jiang Qingyun underestimated his ambition. Because Jiang Qingyun was an idealistic realist, while he was a fervent romantic.

……

"Master, I have a bold idea."

Unbeknownst to him, Shunzhi also picked up some of Chiang Kai-shek's "language style".

"Appreciate further details."

After a while~
Emperor Shunzhi asked with great anticipation, "Master, is my idea possible?"

“Amitabha Buddha, there are three powers in the world. The first is ability, the second is karma, and the third is vow. People generally believe that the success of something depends on ability. But I believe that ability cannot compare to karma, and karma cannot compare to vow.”

Tianji paused for a moment, then continued:

"The so-called power of will refers to the power generated from the source of the heart, which can trigger resonance. It is a high-dimensional energy frequency and an extremely powerful stream of consciousness."

“The power of will refers to the spiritual energy formed by a strong vow. It includes both a compassion for the world and the willpower to overcome difficulties. It is the core driving force that propels people to break through limits and achieve their goals.”

Shunzhi was somewhat bewildered.

Theoretical research is like this—empty and tedious.

Few believers in this world can truly grasp the theoretical system, but some shallow and audacious individuals learn a few terms and dare to preach everywhere, shamelessly attracting many confused sheep.

If Jiang Qingyun were present at this moment, he would surely clap his hands and laugh heartily, first summarizing Tianji's "theory of willpower" with two words—? ?—and then he would build a pyre and burn this monk into relics!

Damn it, someone's here to steal the throne!
There can be only one sun in the sky, and only one master in a religion.

The Heavenly Father killed the Heavenly Brother, and Xiuquan killed Xiuqing.

……

Seeing Shunzhi's expression, Tianji understood and immediately launched the next round of rhetoric.

"Your Majesty, knowledge gained from books is never enough; why not put it into practice?"

"Oh?"

"Your Majesty is worried about the war at the front, but you are separated by thousands of miles and are powerless to do anything about it. How about this, Your Majesty, stay in the Buddhist hall tonight and pray with this humble monk, so that you can exert a strong prayer for the war at the front from afar."

"Can it really work?"

"With the motives being virtuous, the selfishness being gone, the distractions being discarded, and all difficulties being overcome, Your Majesty, why not boldly explore this possibility?"

Shunzhi's face flushed red. "Fine, I'll go all out. Let's go outside and get soaked in the rain."

“Amitabha, the Emperor is the reincarnation of the Longevity Emperor, possessing spiritual roots. He does not need to cultivate diligently; he can do so within the Buddhist hall.”

Emperor Shunzhi felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders.

He didn't want to get wet in the rain either.

In fact, even the monk Tianji dared not let him get wet in the rain. What if Shunzhi contracted typhoid fever if he did? Wouldn't he then be seen as a wicked monk?
……

"Wu Liangfu".

"Your servant is here. Master, are you returning to the palace?"

Wu Liangfu rushed in.

"I will not return to the palace; I will stay here tonight. Issue an order for the guards to stand watch around the perimeter and not to disturb me."

"what?"

"Oh, whatever, I'll do it."

"Whoo."

The kind-faced monk Tianji added, "We must never give up halfway, otherwise things will turn out the opposite of what we hoped for. Not only will we fail to resonate with the soldiers on the front lines, but on the contrary..."

"Master, say no more. I can do it."

"Please, Your Majesty, change your clothes."

When Shunzhi reappeared, his dragon robe had been transformed into a cassock, which fit him perfectly as if it had been tailor-made for him.

"Master, let's begin."

Outside the Buddhist hall.

Wu Liangfu was dumbfounded, a strange feeling creeping into his heart. Jiang Qingyun was already a prodigy, but now an even greater prodigy had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

What's even more terrifying is that his skill level isn't as high as the prodigy's, so he can't pinpoint exactly what's wrong with these two!
Wu Liangfu dared not say another word.

He knew very well that palace intrigue and officialdom intrigue were essentially the same thing; either he wouldn't take action, or if he did, he had to defeat the other side.

……

I listened to the wind and rain all night in my small building.

The sound of the Buddha's name resonates in the Emperor's heart.

The overwhelming power of the vow left Jiang Qingyun, thousands of miles away, completely bewildered.

next day~
A red sun shone its golden light into the Buddhist hall.

Shunzhi hesitated before putting down the wooden fish and placing his palm in the ray of sunlight that shone in, feeling its warmth.

"Master, it's dawn."

Tianji opened his eyes.

"What did you just say, junior brother?"

"What did you call me?"

"Amitabha, this humble monk was momentarily blind and mistook the Emperor for my junior brother. Forgive me."

"I just said it's dawn."

"A fine Buddhist verse."

"what?"

"Dawn has broken. These three words are a perfect Buddhist verse. The Emperor's request will surely be fulfilled!"

"is it?"

Emperor Shunzhi found it hard to believe.

"Your Majesty, you must not hesitate. Your Buddhist heart must be firm for your vows to influence heaven and earth."

……

"My lord, is it time for your meal?"

"Send it here."

"Whoo."

Breakfast was very plentiful, with a total of 16 dishes.

Shunzhi's face suddenly turned cold.

"I do not eat this white fungus and lotus seed soup. Take it away."

"The slave obeys the order."

Wu Liangfu didn't understand the reason either, but he remembered to tell the imperial kitchen to stop preparing white fungus and lotus seed soup from then on.

"Master, why don't you try some too?"

"Your Majesty may use it as you see fit. This humble monk will continue chanting sutras until news of victory arrives from the front."

(End of this chapter)