Reborn Tianlong: I practice martial arts for immortality

Lin Lingsu, indeed, is a figure worthy of being recorded in history books.

Except for Lin Lingsu, the participants and topics of the Taoist-Buddhist debate were different from those in history. In history, Lin Lingsu won with a complete victory.

Judging from the current situation, even if the people and topics are changed, the results will remain the same and the impact will be even greater.

The Buddhists were in great grief. The three people present, including the monk Lingyun, glared at Lin Lingsu, wishing they could tear his skin and bones apart.

Jiang Weichen shook his head and said, "Lin Lingsu is in big trouble."

"What trouble? Can Buddhism kill him? Wouldn't that tell the world that Buddhism can't afford to lose?" Qingyun asked in confusion.

Jiang Weichen sighed, “Back then, I only obtained some of Shaolin’s inheritance, but was exorcised by Shaolin and the Jianghu.

Lin Lingsu is now trying to undermine the foundation of Buddhism. If Buddhism can't act openly, won't they do it secretly?"

Zhang Ziyang frowned and looked at the expressions of the Buddhists. Their eyes were fierce and their faces were ferocious.

"Alas, he should stay in hiding from now on and not go out casually."

Qingyun looked at the Buddhists and sighed, "Lin Lingsu has touched the tiger's butt. But he is a master, and ordinary people should not be able to deal with him."

Jiang Weichen laughed and said, "Grandmaster is not yet at the point where he is not afraid of despicable tactics."

Chapter 488 Literary Battle (End)

After a moment, Lingyun sighed, regained his composure, and said, "Donor Lin, time is limited. Please ask your questions."

Buddhism has already lost the first question. If it delays any further, Buddhism will lose the second question.

If Buddhism loses two out of three topics, it has lost the literary battle and there is no need to continue.

Lin Lingsu didn't waste time intentionally. He was confident that he would continue to win, so he said aloud, "I once read the Diamond Sutra, which tells the story of the conversation between the Buddha and his disciple Subhuti.

The core ideas it wants to express are nothing more than two: one is formlessness and emptiness, and the other is Prajna wisdom. Today we will not discuss Prajna wisdom, but only formlessness and emptiness.

"It mentions many times that 'all appearances are false' and that the essence of things is emptiness. It teaches people to break the appearance of self, others, sentient beings, and life.

Buddhists who study the Diamond Sutra summed it up in eight words: All beings are equal, without distinction.

After Lin Lingsu finished explaining the scriptures, he asked, "I would like to ask the Buddhists, since the Buddha preached that all beings are equal, why is he himself superior to others?"

Xuan Du retorted, "How has my Buddha ever considered himself superior? You should have evidence to support your statement."

"Haha, good." Lin Lingsu laughed and said, "The Buddha doesn't think he is superior to others, so why are there differences in the order of importance among the Buddhas worshipped by Buddhism?

Since all beings are equal, why do they kneel when they see the Buddha? Why do Buddhists use the terms Vajra, Arhat, Bodhisattva, and Buddha?

Although this is a title, it also represents status. Only the Buddha is high above, and only he is shining with golden light. Why is this?

Could it be that you have misunderstood the Buddha's meaning? What he actually meant was: I am the only one in this world who is supreme, and everyone else is equal in my eyes?"

Xuan Du and Kurong were speechless for a moment. Lin Lingsu's question was too tricky. They certainly could not agree with the statement that only the Buddha could be so high and mighty.

But if they disagree, they cannot refute the previous statements, so there is no solution.

The two men felt very sad. Buddhism was defeated. Many Buddhist monks outside the venue felt like they had lost their parents and could not accept that they were going to lose.

At this moment, Zen Master Lingyun took two steps forward, faced Lin Lingsu, and replied, "Donor, equality of all beings naturally includes the Buddha. Otherwise, how could there be a saying that the Buddha cut off his flesh to feed the eagle?

It can be seen that the Buddha's words about the equality of all living beings include all living beings. This is what the Buddha believed in his heart and actually did.

Without waiting for Lin Lingsu to ask, Lingyun continued, "As for why sentient beings kneel down upon seeing the Buddha, firstly, the Buddha did not ask them to kneel, and secondly, we did not ask them to kneel either. It is just that sentient beings are used to kneeling upon seeing the Buddha.

Why do sentient beings kneel before the Buddha? It is because the Buddha's compassion is recognized by all sentient beings. They appreciate the Buddha's selflessness and kneel to show their respect.

“The essence of Buddhism is to endow people with the wisdom of Prajna while guiding them to be good, ultimately leading them to a state of compassion like the Buddha.

However, the realm of Buddha is too high and profound for ordinary people to reach, so it is divided into Bodhisattva, Arhat, Vajra, etc.

Its original intention was to guide people to get closer to the Buddha, rather than to highlight the Buddha's superiority.

As for the golden body of the Buddha and the bronze statues of the Arhats, these were not the Buddha's requirements, but were the Buddhist disciples' heartfelt expressions of respect for the Buddha.

If a Bodhisattva, Arhat or even a beggar reaches the level of Buddha, believers will still spontaneously make a golden statue for him, without any distinction.

Donor, you don't understand. I don't blame you. After all, you are not a Buddhist and don't understand the Buddha's wisdom.

After Lingyun finished speaking, the Buddhists were silent for a short while before they all shouted:

"Well, Zen Master Lingyun is amazing."

"Master Lingyun is truly worthy of being an enlightened monk. Not only did he turn defeat into victory with just a few words, but he also invisibly made the image of the Buddha even more majestic."

"Master Lingyun turned the tide of battle, turning a losing game into a draw. Before the incense burns out, it's our Buddhist sect's turn to ask questions. We still have hope of winning."

"..."

On the field, Lin Lingsu looked at Lingyun and thought to himself, "What a great Lingyun! He was unknown before, but I didn't expect him to be so difficult."

Lin Lingsu chuckled and said, "So it turns out that only the unknown monks can calmly comprehend the Dharma, while the famous monks...tsk tsk...are just famous in vain!"

Xuan Du and Kurong were a little embarrassed, but Lingyun said, "The world is full of troubles. Buddha has compassion, but also anger. With the military support of the warrior monks, the scholar monks can calmly comprehend the Dharma.

Donor, the time is not up yet, please come to my Buddhist sect..."

"Wait a minute!" Lin Lingsu interrupted.

Xuan Du shouted, "Master Lin, are you trying to delay time?"

If this topic is dragged into a draw, then the third topic: the actual behavior of the disciples, will be extremely detrimental to Buddhism.

There are many Buddhists, good and bad mixed together, and many of them break the precepts. The person who just said he had a son is not an exception.

These are only the formal disciples of Buddhism; there are also lay disciples, who are also included.

These lay disciples learned martial arts, and after coming down the mountain, some of them relied on their martial arts to do good, but there were also many who did evil.

They are the eyes and ears of Buddhism. At the same time, they will pay tribute from time to time. They are one of the sources of income for Buddhism, but Buddhism generally does not care about it.

But at this time, if Lin Lingsu enumerated their evil deeds one by one, then the Buddhist sect would definitely lose the third topic.

That's why Xuan Du reprimanded Lin Lingsu for delaying time.

Lin Lingsu sneered and said, "There's no need to delay, because I won't allow myself to tie with the Buddhist sect. I want to crush you."

"Master Lingyun refuted my view that the Buddha is not supreme because he used the spontaneous actions of later generations.

If that is the case, I will refute it with the practices of Buddhism."

After Lin Lingsu finished speaking, he said loudly: "There is a saying in Buddhism that everyone is familiar with: Put down the butcher knife and become a Buddha on the spot. This is their slogan for exorcising demons.

I would like to ask Master Lingyun, since all beings are equal, why don't murderers pay with their lives? Why don't criminals face justice?

There is a saying in Buddhism: If you put down your butcher knife, you will become a Buddha instantly. This will wipe out all their past sins, and they will even be accepted into Buddhism regardless of the law.

How unfair this is to those who were killed. Did they deserve to die?

"Master, what you just said is that Buddhism guides people to be good. But those who do evil can put down their butcher knives and practice Buddhism with peace of mind. But those who do good cannot have a good end. Is this the equality of all beings? Is this the purpose of Buddhism to guide people to be good?"

Lingyun was about to respond when Lin Lingsu interrupted him, saying, "Master, please don't say that those who do evil may not suffer physically, but they suffer mentally; don't say that they practice Buddhism to pray for the souls of their wronged subordinates every day; don't say that those who die will have good results in the next life; don't say..."

"Don't say that. I only know this life, not the afterlife. If you want to refute me by talking about the afterlife, then first prove that the afterlife really exists."

After Lin Lingsu finished speaking, Zhao Kuangyin looked at Jiang Weichen. Jiang Weichen felt the fluctuation of Zhao Kuangyin's mood and turned his head to look, but Zhao Kuangyin had already retracted his gaze.

Jiang Weichen was puzzled. Lin Lingsu said, in this life or the next, why does Zhao Kuangyin look at me?

He would never have thought that Zhao Kuangyin already knew that he was the reincarnation of a person from outside the world.

The three people on the field were speechless, and the monks outside were speechless. After a moment, Lin Lingsu said, "Master, are you speechless? Master said that the Buddha's meaning in the Diamond Sutra is formlessness and the equality of all beings.

But the idea of ​​equality of all beings remains only lip service, while the actions of Buddhists contradict this. This shows that Buddhists do not truly agree with the Diamond Sutra. If they do not truly agree with it, how can they truly understand its meaning?

The three of them were speechless. Lingyun sighed and said, "Amitabha, it is precisely because we have not reached the realm that the Buddha spoke of that we need to practice."

Lin Lingsu asked in return, "Practice is about getting closer, not getting away. Before becoming a monk, you wouldn't shout 'Put down the butcher knife and become a Buddha instantly.' But after becoming a monk, you shout this slogan and do such unfair things. The more you practice, the further away you are from the truth. This shows that you don't fully understand."

Lingyun was speechless. Lin Lingsu glanced at Xiang and said with a smile, "The timing is perfect. The three of you, the Buddhist sect has lost this literary duel."

Chapter 489 Ku Rong takes responsibility

"The Dao Sect has won two rounds in a row in this debate. According to the best-of-three rule, there is no need to debate the third topic. The Dao Sect wins."

Huang Shang entered the arena and announced the result of the literary duel. He then said, "Each side has won one match. Now comes the extra round."

"Extra game, extra game?"

"This has to determine a winner."

"Of course there has to be a winner. If there isn't one, wouldn't this heated debate between Taoism and Buddhism be a waste of time?"

"..."

The Buddhist's joyful expression froze in an instant.

For them, if they are forced to fight, winning is naturally the best, but a draw is also acceptable.

But I didn’t expect that after the outcome of both the physical and literary fights had been decided, there would be an extra round.

Xuan Du's expression turned grim. He looked at Huang Shang and said, "Master Huang, I didn't mention adding extra rounds before we started."

Huang Shang replied, "The two sides are tied at 1-1. Alliance Leader Jiang proposed, and His Majesty approved, an extra match to decide the winner."

"Jiang Weichen?" The Buddhists looked at Jiang Weichen who was looking solemn and dignified above.

There may be fear, dissatisfaction, or hatred in their eyes.

Xuan Du sighed, "He really has leaned towards the Dao Sect. Alas, past actions have repercussions today."

Ku Rong asked, "How can I join the match?"

Huang Shang replied, "Since the literary duel involves multiple participants, there's no need for an extra round, so let's add a martial arts duel."

"Can the person who appeared earlier appear again?" Although he knew the result, Xuan Du still asked.

Lin Lingsu smiled and said, "What do you think?"

Master Kurong looked at the ancestor who had closed his eyes above him and sighed, "After all, the ancestor's realm is too low and he has no say. If the ancestor breaks through to the heavenly realm, a draw will be the final outcome."

Duan Siping was also helpless. Jiang Weichen and Zhao Kuangyin made the decision without seeking the opinions of both Taoist and Buddhist parties.

He thought about it and didn't ask for it. Now, Buddhism in the Song Dynasty was influenced by Murong Longcheng's benevolent spirit, and there were signs of its revival.

This infringed upon the interests of the Song Dynasty. Zhao Kuangyin wanted to use this to weaken Buddhism. A draw was definitely not the result he wanted, and an extra game was inevitable.