Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 5: Body and Hair!

Xiao Ran also noticed the bamboo fishing rods in Li Shimin and the others' hands. The lines were very thick, and Xiao Ran didn't know what material they were made of.

This is due to the difference in eras; there's nothing we can do about it.

Li Shimin squinted, but still couldn't see Xiao Ran's fishing line clearly.

Xiao Ran did look energetic, but Li Shimin found his attire rather awkward.

"Young master, are you from the Tang Dynasty?" Li Shimin asked proactively.

Upon hearing the name of the Tang Dynasty, Xiao Ran was overjoyed.

The Central Plains region was free from war after that; however, during the Sui Dynasty, there would have been further calamities.

Xiao Ran turned his head, "Yes!"

Xiao Ran's speech and appearance clearly indicated he was from the Central Plains; there was no doubt about that.

"Since you are from the Tang Dynasty, why are you dressed like this?"

"I spent some time in the Western Regions before, and I haven't been back for long."

Xiao Ran made up an excuse: there are many ethnic groups living together in the Western Regions, so it's normal to have a few outliers.

“It’s understandable that the clothing is different from that of the Central Plains, but what about the hair?” Li Shimin continued, “The Classic of Filial Piety says, ‘Our bodies, hair, and skin are received from our parents; we dare not damage them; this is the beginning of filial piety.’”

Xiao Ran had guessed that someone would talk about this.

Xiao Ran knew his hair wouldn't grow long anytime soon, and he didn't want to keep it long.

Xiao Ran had to give a reasonable explanation, as filial impiety was a very serious matter in this era.

Throughout history, dynasties have promoted the idea of ​​"governing the world through filial piety."

Being unfilial not only earns one contempt from others, but can also lead to imprisonment.

Although he doesn't believe in Buddhism, Xiao Ran still had to bring up the topic of Buddhism.

"Years ago in the Western Regions, I followed a highly virtuous monk and listened to his sermons. I even became a monk and took him as my master, but later I returned to secular life."

Li Shimin couldn't see Xiao Ran as someone who would become a monk.

He continued, "Confucianism says 'our bodies, hair, and skin are given to us by our parents,' but Buddhists shave their heads. What is the Buddhist explanation for this?"

Confucianism has a profound influence on China, while Buddhism is an outsider. If it cannot justify itself and conflicts with Confucianism, it certainly cannot exist in China.

Xiao Ran said with a smile, "Hair symbolizes 'ignorance and afflictions,' and shaving one's head is like 'cutting away the vines.' The Vimalakirti Sutra says, 'Shaving off one's hair and beard, one becomes a monk, receives the Buddha's teachings, and has accomplished what one had to do.'"

“Regardless of social status, all monks wear robes after shaving their heads. The ‘Three Thousand Rules of Conduct for Great Bhikkhus’ emphasizes that ‘shaving the head prevents sentient beings from becoming arrogant,’ thus breaking down worldly hierarchical concepts.”

The Brahma Net Sutra says: "Shaving one's head and destroying one's form, may all beings remove their afflictions and attain ultimate peace."

“Confucianism emphasizes ‘physical filial piety’ to preserve the body, while Buddhism emphasizes ‘spiritual filial piety’ to transcend the spirit. Shaving one’s head is ‘destroying the body to seek the Way.’ By pursuing Nirvana and liberation, one can ultimately ‘dedicate merit’ to one’s parents so that they can receive eternal blessings, rather than being limited to the integrity of the physical body.”

"Confucianism considers the body, hair, and skin as the constant principles of family life, while Buddhism considers shaving the head as an expedient means of leaving home."

The Analects allows for "sacrificing oneself for righteousness," and Buddhist shaving of the head is "sacrificing small filial piety for great filial piety." Both are essentially "the highest virtue."

"As the saying goes, one may change one's customs and clothing but not one's integrity; one may change one's appearance but not one's heart."

Xiao Ran was not a monk and naturally did not understand Buddhist scriptures, but he did know this one thing. If Li Shimin asked him about anything else, he would really not know.

I know a little, but not much.

They're all short videos, known only to marketing accounts.

Li Shimin was quite surprised; he couldn't find fault with what was said.

"Then why did you leave the monastic life, young man?"

"Later I realized that I was not suited to studying Buddhism. I do not believe in past lives and reincarnation, and if I stayed in the temple, I would be ostracized by my fellow practitioners."

"I don't want to be a heretic. Although I don't understand it, I respect it, so I choose to leave and be a carefree ordinary person."

"I don't think keeping your hair is a sign of filial piety, nor do I think that shaving your head can cut away your worries or pray for your parents' well-being is too far-fetched."

"Compared to these things, I think it's better to spend more time with my parents, showing them care and concern. When they need it, preparing soup and medicine for them at their bedside is better than anything else." Xiao Ran's remarks were actually a bit unconventional.

Fortunately, this is the Tang Dynasty, and there is no Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.

Li Shimin did not feel disgusted; on the contrary, he felt more admiration.

"Hahaha!" Li Shimin laughed loudly, tapping the bamboo fishing rod twice in his palm, startling a few fish swimming on the surface of the water: "Young master, what you say is true!"

“I have seen monks in Chang’an temples ringing bells and chanting Buddhist prayers every day, yet some monks are arrogant and domineering towards the people. Your approach of ‘returning to secular life but not to the heart’ is more in line with the principle of ‘filial piety in practice’.”

Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong did not interrupt, but they deeply agreed with what Xiao Ran said and nodded repeatedly.

“The Classic of Filial Piety says, ‘It begins with serving one’s parents and continues with serving one’s ruler.’” Li Shimin pointed to the fish in Xiao Ran’s bucket. “Being able to provide one’s parents with a delicious meal through one’s abilities and being able to ensure the people’s well-being through one’s talents and learning both ultimately come down to the word ‘practical’.”

Xiao Ran said a lot, but what truly resonated with Li Shimin was the word 'truth'.

Suddenly, a "splash" came from the water, and Xiao Ran's float was pulled into the water. He grabbed the fishing reel and spun it around rapidly.

Seeing the fish take the bait, Li Shimin, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Yaojin were even more excited than Xiao Ran.

Li Lizhi, who had been silent all along, picked up the net next to her, ready to help.

"Girl, let your father give it a try." Li Shimin looked at the net.

"It's Father!"

Li Shimin took the net and looked at it in surprise; he had never seen this material before.

"Hey, this one's not small either. Young master, you're truly a master!" Li Shimin was impressed by his fishing skills.

"Good luck, good luck," Xiao Ran said, repeating the same thing.

The main problem is that I don't know what to say.

When he had nothing to do, Li Shimin would go fishing with Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong; the three of them were evenly matched.

After Xiao Ran pulled the fish to the shore, Li Shimin picked up the net, scooped it up, and said with a smile, "Not bad, not bad."

Only when he got closer did Li Shimin notice the faintly visible fishing line.

This made Li Shimin increasingly envious of Xiao Ran's fishing rod.

Xiao Ran also noticed that the bait used by the group was earthworms, something he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Young master, what is this bait?" Li Shimin asked, putting down the net.

Xiao Ran didn't know how to explain, and after a moment's thought, he said, "This is a family secret recipe, and it's not convenient to tell you."

"I was being presumptuous!" Li Shimin didn't seem to mind.

"Uncle, you can give it a try. The fish here seem to like this kind of bait."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Li Shimin threw the earthworm on his fishing hook into the water and imitated Xiao Ran by baiting his hook.

"Uncles, you should give it a try too." Xiao Ran looked at Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin.

"Haha, thank you very much, young master!" Cheng Yaojin didn't stand on ceremony.

No angler wants to go home empty-handed.

Xiao Ran had baited the area beforehand, and there were many large fish nearby.

The group changed their bait, and sure enough, fish started biting very quickly.

"They've arrived!" Li Shimin exclaimed with delight.

Watching others catch fish is nothing compared to catching them yourself.

Seeing that the fish was quite large, Cheng Yaojin, who was standing nearby, quickly put down his fishing rod and said, "Young master, this is useful."

Cheng Yaojin pointed to the net.

(End of this chapter)