Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 596 A True Confucian Scholar, a False Bodhisattva
Upon entering the main hall, one sees rows of golden Buddha statues radiating light, exuding a Buddhist aura that makes them appear quite extraordinary.

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion invited Lu Zheng to sit on an exquisite futon.

Soon, someone brought out fruits, tea, and snacks, and poured a cup of hot, fragrant tea.

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion sits on the central lotus platform, enveloped in a mysterious Buddhist aura, appearing as if he were a living Bodhisattva in the human world.

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion looked at Lu Zheng, a smile appearing on his compassionate face. "This tea is picked from a tea garden on the sacred mountain, and the water used to brew it is the purest snow water from the top of the sacred mountain. This kind of spiritual tea is not found anywhere else, and it has a unique flavor. Benefactor, you can have a good taste."

"thanks for treatment."

Lu Zheng thanked him, then took a small sip of tea, stopping short of drinking.

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion narrowed his eyes and said, "Anguo is more than 100,000 miles away from here. How did you manage to travel all the way here?"

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion was somewhat puzzled. In such a vast world, how could a Confucian scholar travel to such a place? If he came from the east, he would have to cross many snow-capped mountains and travel through a long, uninhabited area.

Lu Zheng explained, "When I saw the Xiling Snow Mountain on the border of Shu, I was curious about what kind of scenery lay beyond it. As I walked, I arrived at this place. I never imagined that there would be so many people in such a harsh and cold place, and that Buddhism would flourish here."

"I see."

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion nodded slightly and couldn't help but sigh, "Speaking of which, my fellow disciples and I also arrived here by chance. At that time, we saw that there were many mortals here, but they were as savage as beasts and had no manners."

"May the Buddha have mercy, and we will remain here to spread the Dharma, so that the people here may know etiquette, have a sense of shame, and abide by the rules..."

"Over the years, the people here have lived in peace and prosperity, and have suffered little from the hardships and troubles of the world..."

"Thus, this humble monk has also attained enlightenment. Excellent, excellent!"

Lu Zheng's expression remained unchanged upon hearing the Bodhisattva's story.

He then asked, "I have read some Buddhist scriptures before. May I ask which kind of Buddhism you practice, that you divide people into different classes?"

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion's eyes gleamed with golden light as he spoke slowly, "Sentient beings are ignorant and need to be educated. Dividing these mortals into different classes is also to restrain them and allow them to live peacefully. Without following the rules, nothing can be accomplished."

Lu Zheng looked at the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion whose aura of Buddha was surging, "So, some people are born to enjoy happiness, while others are born to suffer? How can this be reasonable?"

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion clasped his hands together, saying, "The Buddha is merciful. Those who suffer are suffering for themselves and others; they will surely have good fortune in their next life. Those who enjoy blessings in this life will also suffer in the next. This is the cycle of cause and effect, retribution and reincarnation..."

Lu Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly, "Do you think I'm a three-year-old?"

These words are only good for fooling the ignorant and foolish. Do you really think he's not well-read?
The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion remained calm and said, “If you wish to discuss the Dharma with me, this is the Dharma I practice.”

Lu Zheng said calmly, "You cultivate Buddhism? If your Buddhism is compassionate, then it should be the Buddha and Bodhisattvas who suffer for all sentient beings."

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion said: "Our Buddha is compassionate, therefore he teaches and enlightens people, so that all beings may be freed from ignorance and confusion. However, the suffering of all beings cannot be gathered into one person and can be borne by all beings."

Lu Zhengdao said, "At least it can reduce the suffering of many people. For example, there should be no slaves here. They are born as human beings, but they are worse than cattle and horses. With just a word from you, they can be transformed into ordinary people and freed from slavery."

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion remained calm upon hearing this. They had divided people into different classes in order to better manage and control the people here and to exploit the value of each class.

The absence of middle-class landlords and nobles is acceptable, but without the desperate sacrifices of slaves and the hard work of creating wealth, where would all the resources come from to support the enjoyment of those above?

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion slowly said, “Every place has its own rules. As a Confucian scholar, you should understand some principles. This is Buddhist territory. If you wish to promote Confucianism here, you should go elsewhere!”

He thought a hospitable guest had arrived, but Lu Zheng's arrival immediately brought up such a sharp topic, which displeased the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Lu Zheng frowned. "Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism... Buddhism, the ancient sages of humanity established their respective schools of thought, wrote books and established doctrines, all in pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous world, and the happiness of the people..." "You sit here high above, enjoying the incense offerings of all living beings. While all living beings suffer, you revel in pleasure. Are you a true bodhisattva? Do you truly believe you have attained enlightenment?"

Lu Zheng stared at the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, his voice as loud as a bell echoing throughout the Buddhist hall.

As soon as the words were spoken, the radiance of all the Buddha and Bodhisattva statues in the entire Buddhist hall dimmed slightly.

"Be bold!"

A burly monk serving beside the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion shouted out.

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion gently waved his hand, stopping the monk's reprimand.

He couldn't understand where this young man got the courage and confidence to utter such hurtful words.

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion had a guilty conscience, but fortunately, after so many years of cultivation, his mind was not easily affected.

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion spoke, "What is your intention?"

Lu Zheng slowly stood up. "In such a harsh and cold place, it is already difficult for all living beings to survive. I thought that there was a Buddhist sect here that could save all living beings, but it has only added another mountain to this place."

Lu Zheng paused for a moment, then said, "I came here to reason with you and discuss Buddhism. But now it seems that you are all man-eating monsters disguised as Buddhists. Reasoning with you is futile."

Man-eating monster...

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion was struck in the heart, and instantly, a brilliant Buddhist light shone forth, enveloping and suppressing Lu Zheng.

A powerful aura permeated the entire Buddhist temple, surging and turbulent like a vast ocean.

The monks serving in the hall were all terrified, and due to the lingering effects of the oppressive aura, they immediately knelt on the ground.

Lu Zhengze stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his crown radiating righteous energy as he resisted the continuous onslaught of golden light.

Then, Lu Zheng raised his hand, took out Zhang Liang's hammer, and suddenly blasted it in front of him.

The hammer swung up and struck the golden light, as if hitting a wall of bronze and iron, producing a dull sound.

"Ok?"

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion showed a slight change in expression.

He had some understanding of Confucian and Taoist scholars, and the golden light of Buddhism he cultivated was something that ordinary scholars could not resist.

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion's eyes flickered as he sensed an extremely pure Yang energy emanating from Lu Zheng's aura.

"Upright and righteous spirit..."

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion had a sudden realization and began to understand why Lu Zheng was so aggressive, his words piercing to the heart.

Without a heart that upholds righteousness and defends the Way, how can one possess such pure and righteous spirit?

He's a fake bodhisattva, this one is a true Confucian scholar.

(End of this chapter)