Reborn Tianlong: I practice martial arts for immortality

"Well, Master Xuandu is amazing."

"Amitabha, I'm so guilty. I just thought that Abbot Xuanji was truly disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unrighteous."

"..."

Lin Lingsu just glanced around and said, "Xuan Du, you are right. Learning from others and learning from the world is indeed the foundation of our Chinese people's strength.

I acknowledge that the Buddhism of China belongs to the Chinese tradition, not a foreign sect."

Before the Buddhists could be delighted, Lin Lingsu immediately said, "Your Buddhist sect has just begun to learn the tradition of Indian Buddhism, so you are also called the Buddhist sect, which is fine.

But after more than a thousand years, how did you integrate into China? Isn't it just by learning and drawing on the traditions passed down by our Taoist sect?

The fundamentals of martial arts such as breathing exercises, qigong exercises, and meridian circulation all originate from Taoism. You all focus on the eight extraordinary meridians, rather than the three meridians and seven chakras."

"A thousand years ago, you followed the teachings of Tianzhu, so you were called the Thousand-Year Buddhist Sect. Now that you have followed the teachings of Taoism for so long, it's time to change your name to the Taoist Sect."

Lin Lingsu looked at Xuan Du's face and smiled, "Don't tell me it's impossible. If that's the case, then you are still devoted to Tianzhu Buddhism. You are still disloyal and ungrateful."

Xuan Du was speechless. Lin Lingsu's argument was just sophistry, but he had nothing to say.

Kurong argued, "Donor, you are wrong. Buddhism borrowed some of the concepts of Taoism. Didn't Taoism also borrow from Buddhism? Why didn't Taoism change its name to Buddhism?"

"Where's your face? Ku Rong, where's your face? Don't think you can say such shameless words just because you're old.

Don't you know who borrowed more from whom? Why did Bodhidharma, the founder of Buddhism, face the wall in the Bodhidharma Cave for nine years?

It was because he had just arrived in the Middle-earth, read through many ancient books, and then went into seclusion to absorb the knowledge. Otherwise, how could he have created seventy-two unique skills and the two classics of Yi Jin and Xi Sui after coming out of seclusion?

The martial arts that Shaolin relies on to maintain its dominance in the martial arts world all rely on the eight extraordinary meridians, rather than the three meridians and seven chakras of the Indian school.

What Lin Lingsu said was true. Indian martial arts were different from those in China. Although Shaolin martial arts had its own system, it borrowed from Taoist breathing techniques and even changed the meridian system.

The three were speechless, but they couldn't admit defeat. Since Lin Lingsu couldn't win the argument with this question, it was their turn to ask questions.

Chapter 485: Literary Battle (Part )

Earlier, Lin Lingsu asked a question, starting from the origins of both parties and then discussing their final mutual learning.

Although Buddhism rejected the nonsense and the barbarian sect theory of Laozi.

However, he was at a disadvantage in the stage of martial arts inheritance. Considering that Xuan Ji was knocked unconscious by anger before, he was at a clear disadvantage.

Xuan Du came on the scene only to restore his senior brother's reputation and dispel his bad reputation of being disloyal, unfilial, unkind and unjust, but that was all.

Time was limited, so Xuan Du simply asked another question, "The Taoist sect has a long history, but why is it that the Taoist sect is prosperous but not flourishing, while my Buddhist sect, although not as old as the Taoist sect, is flourishing and thriving, and has surpassed it.

This is a fact witnessed by history and the choice of the people of the world. Donor, do you want to go against the trend?"

On the stage, after hearing Xuan Du's words, Jiang Weichen looked at the nearly burned incense stick and said with a smile, "Buddhism lost the first debate."

"Not necessarily. What if Lin Lingsu can't refute it?" Qingyun said uncertainly.

If Lin Lingsu cannot refute it, then both sides will ask questions and neither side will be able to completely refute it, so the situation will be a draw.

Jiang Weichen shook his head and replied, "Xuan Du's question does make sense, and Buddhism has indeed gained ground, but its flaws are too obvious. Lin Lingsu has been preparing for a long time, so how could he not answer it?"

Qingyun thought about it and nodded, then he heard Lin Lingsu in the audience had already given his answer.

"Flourishing and flourishing?" Lin Lingsu sneered, "Why don't you ask me why the Three Wus and One Sect destroyed Buddhism? Could it be that historical experience has only taught you to remember the rise of Buddhism, but forget the consequences of its rise?"

"The world's choice?" Lin Lingsu sneered. "Fooling the ignorant people has become what you call the world's choice. Ridiculous! Is this what you call prosperity and revival?"

"And doesn't Buddhism believe in the emptiness of the four elements and the purity of the six senses? The very fact you asked this question proves that your six senses are not pure, and that you are greedy for the people's faith and incense offerings."

“Why is my Daoist sect prosperous but not flourishing? It is because Daoists are pure and inaction, following their hearts and fate, and will not fool the people for a few ounces of incense.

Even if money is needed, it is obtained in a proper way, such as by treating people or performing rituals. It is absolutely not like your Buddhist sect, which attracts pilgrims with slogans such as praying for peace, children, wealth, or even happiness in the afterlife.

Facts speak louder than words, and the three of them were unable to refute it for a while. In fact, this debate was the result of the resurgence of Buddhism.

The reason why Taoism is prosperous but not flourishing is that they do not open their doors to the public, do not publicize their beliefs, and have a believe-or-not mentality.

At this time, Huang Shang, who was not far away, looked at the nearly burned incense, and after asking Zhao Kuangyin for his opinion, he said loudly: "Time is up. The first topic is the victory of the Taoist sect. Do you have any objections?"

One topic is discussed for one stick of incense, which prevents both sides from debating endlessly.

When the time is up, the party with the advantage wins. This is the rule.

Hearing Huang Shang's words, the Taoists showed joy. Although they lost the fight of martial arts, they finally made up for it in the fight of words.

The people of the Buddhist sect had ugly expressions on their faces, and some monks were whispering about it, but they all knew that the result was announced by His Majesty through Huang Shang, and that the situation on the field was indeed that their Buddhist sect was at a disadvantage, so even if they had any opinions, they could not express them.

Some people blamed Xuan Du. His question directly put Buddhism on the losing side.

Xuan Du was speechless, he just put his hands together and chanted the Buddha's name.

Huang Shang waited for a moment and then said loudly, "Since there are no objections, let's move on to the second topic: interpretation of the scriptures!"

After saying that, Huang Shang withdrew. Xuan Du had already lost, so he didn't say anything. Lin Lingsu had already asked the question first, so he didn't try to speak first.

Seeing this, Ku Rong pondered for a moment and said, "There's a saying in Zhuangzi's Outer Chapters: 'When rivers dry up, valleys become empty; when hills flatten, the depths become full. When the sage dies, great thieves will not rise, and the world will be peaceful and free of trouble. As long as the sage lives, great thieves will not stop..."

After Ku Rong finished reciting the original text of the scripture, he said: "Zhuangzi's meaning is very clear. A sage is a great thief. A sage steals invisible things, while a villain steals chickens and dogs. Therefore, a sage should not exist, otherwise there will be endless great thieves and the world will be in turmoil.

But the Taoists Zhuangzi, Laozi, and others are all revered as Taoist saints. According to Zhuangzi, a saint is a great thief. Doesn't that mean that the "Taoism" today is actually a "thief school"?

After Ku Rong finished speaking, Lin Lingsu looked at Ku Rong. What a tricky old bald donkey! He asked such a tricky question. If he couldn't answer it, then the door would really become a "thief's door", which would be a big joke.

The martial artists in the audience had no idea what Ku Rong was saying.

"A saint is a thief? This is the first time I've heard such talk. Is Ku Rong just talking nonsense?"

"A wise man steals the invisible, while a villain steals chickens and dogs. What is the invisible? Please explain it clearly."

"Exactly. You asked us to come and bear witness, but now you're playing tricks on us. We can't even understand what you're saying. How can we bear witness?"

"I consider myself well-read, but this is the first time I've heard of this argument."

"Alas, it's terrible to be uneducated. I can't even understand what others are saying."

"..."

As everyone was discussing this, a scholar suddenly said, "Master Kurong, I urge you to take back what you just said. You are insulting me, a Confucian saint, do you understand?"

Ku Rong looked at the scholar, just a glance, without responding.

Huang Shang said, "Shut up and just listen carefully. If you don't understand, go back and read more."

The man was suddenly speechless. Huang Shang was the top scorer in the imperial examination and a favorite of His Majesty. He was no match for him.

The scholar could only murmur in his heart: "Could it be that this saint is not that saint?"

In addition to the martial artists, many people in Buddhism and Taoism were also puzzled.

Especially many Buddhist monks, who don’t even read Buddhist scriptures except for their routine studies, so how could they understand what Zhuangzi said?

"This kid can't be unable to answer, right? Do you want to tell him through voice transmission?" Qingyun said softly.

Zhang Ziyang replied, "Wait a minute. If he doesn't understand, he will ask for help."

Qingyun said, "I'm just worried that he cares about his reputation and won't ask for help."

Jiang Weichen smiled and said, "You underestimate him too much. Lin Lingsu has an excellent memory and can almost remember everything he sees. In recent years, he has also participated in the compilation of the Wanshou Daozang. I don't believe he doesn't even understand this."

On the field, Lin Lingsu pondered for a moment before asking, "Master Ku Rong, since you know that the Saint Thief has the Invisible, why do you still ask?"

Ku Rong sighed. He didn't expect that Lin Lingsu, who was not very old, was so familiar with this scripture that was useless for cultivation.

Lin Lingsu ignored Ku Rong and explained, "What is the invisible? The invisible refers to virtue, human nature, morality, rules, etiquette and other rules and etiquette that are given or formulated by humans.

They are not real objects, yet they influence everything we say and do.”

“The sage mentioned in Zhuangzi’s Outer Chapters is the representative of these invisible things.

In short, they are moral role models and behavioral benchmarks, just like the positive examples we use when teaching our children or disciples.

This saint is the benchmark of secular morality and etiquette. Those who are famous, respected, or highly respected, and have no obvious shortcomings can be said to be saints.

This saint is not the saint of our Dao Sect, and the criteria for judging a saint are also a million miles apart. Therefore, Master Kurong's statement that Dao Sect is a "thief's sect" is completely nonsense."

After listening to Lin Lingsu's explanation, the people outside the venue suddenly understood.

"It turns out this saint is not the saint we know. I have learned a lot."

"In that case, I am also a saint." One person said excitedly.

The person next to him asked, "What makes you so confident that you dare to call yourself a saint?"

The man said proudly, "In my hometown, I am also well-known far and wide, and respected by everyone. In my hometown, I am a saint. Is there a problem?"

The people around were speechless. If that was the case, then the saint would be everywhere.

Lin Lingsu listened to what everyone was saying and took a glance. To be respected, one must not have obvious shortcomings, at least the image presented to the outside world must be flawless. But theory is just theory. If someone really claims to be a saint but is not worthy of the position, there will be disaster.

Kurong sighed slightly. His first attack was rejected, resulting in a draw, but he lost the advantage of being the first to take the initiative. If the Buddhist sect cannot reject the opponent's next question, it will be at a disadvantage.

Before Ku Rong could worry, Lin Lingsu was obviously not going to let him go so easily, and the voice continued to come.

Chapter 486: Literary Battle (Part )

Lin Lingsu continued, "Master Ku Rong's statement that a saint is a thief is both true and false."

Ku Rong subconsciously asked: "Why is it wrong?"

Lin Lingsu said without hesitation, "I said it's not right because the saint and the thief are two sides of the same coin, like yin and yang, withering and flourishing, more and less, big and small, etc.

There is yang because there is yin, there is prosperity because there is withering, there is less because there is more, and the small can be highlighted only because of the big.

Whether it is a petty theft or a big theft, it all refers to theft, and the essence is the violation of moral etiquette and the violation of established rules.

It is their existence that highlights the value of moral models and provides the fertile ground for various behavioral role models.

What does it mean that "As long as the sage lives, there will be no thieves; when the sage dies, there will be no thieves."? Because the sage and the thief are two sides of the same coin. If the sage is still alive, it means that there are still thieves in the world; if there are no saints in the world, it proves that the world does not need these role models because there are no thieves, or in other words, everyone in the world is a saint.

There are no so-called moral role models, no so-called benchmarks for behavior, and no thieves or other bad people. Saints and thieves have no soil to exist. The world has thus entered the ideal society of great harmony.

After Lin Lingsu finished speaking, she looked at Master Ku Rong with a smile and asked, "Master Ku Rong, do you want to know why I think you are right?"

Ku Rong looked at Lin Lingsu's smiling face, and felt that something bad was going to happen. However, he said calmly, "Don't waste time. You have already refuted my question. Now it's your turn to ask the question."

Lin Lingsu smiled and said, "A draw in the first question is not the result I want. My rebuttal is not over yet."

After saying this, Lin Lingsu ignored Ku Rong and the other two and spoke loudly, "Why do I think it's right that a saint is a thief? Because you can only judge a person by his appearance, not his heart. There are too many hypocritical people in this world."