Chapter 224: Unaware of Evil
Jiang Lin was stunned for a moment when he looked at the cultivator wearing a Taoist robe and with six shining scars on his head.
It is not that there is no Dharma lineage for Buddhist and Taoist practitioners in the Three Realms. Practicing Buddhism and Taoism is not an evil path, and it cannot be said that they are committing a sin.
Be it Buddhism or Taoism, both have their dross, but both also have righteous methods that lead people to be good and uphold the right path.
Whether it is Taoism or Buddhism, they are both great ways to reach heaven, and both can achieve the goal of tempering oneself and even saving the world.
But this is where the problem lies.
Serious practitioners of Buddhism and Taoism must take one side as the main body, and then draw on the other side as an auxiliary.
Because both of them are the way to heaven, you must choose only one.
As far as Jiang Lin knows, there is a lineage that worships both Medicine Buddha and the God of Heavenly Medicine, which is the Dharma lineage of Mr. Sun Simiao. But it is obvious that this is a supreme Dharma lineage with Medicine Buddha as the main leader and Heavenly Medicine as the auxiliary, to save people and cure diseases.
Or, they worship both Guandi and the guardian Weituo at the same time, and take the path of slaying demons and suppressing evil to prove themselves. It is obvious that Guandi is the main figure, supplemented by the image of Weituo, the wrathful Vajra who subdues demons.
Who can say that this kind of Dharma lineage is not orthodox? Or that it is not the right path?
You can drive a Buddhist car and walk on a Taoist road, or you can drive a Taoist car and walk on a Buddhist road. No one will say anything. As long as you behave uprightly, you are following the right path and the right way.
Even Jiang Lin's own black law lineage only restricts his disciples from understanding Buddhist scriptures, but it does not restrict his disciples from having normal contact with eminent monks who truly practice and have merits.
However, you can't take the cars on the road and put them together again, then drive along the curb between the road and the church.
This thing is somewhat abstract.
Moreover, the most common outcome of trying to have both is to have neither.
But the practitioner thought he had obtained...
What do you get then?
Jiang Lin thought to himself and looked at the practitioner who walked out of Putuo Temple, and his Fengdu Dharma Eye opened.
The dark gilded light did not appear, but disappeared into the eyes.
After ascending to immortality, all the methods that Jiang Lin practiced naturally improved.
The current Fengdu Dharma Eye no longer has any outward power, but has restrained everything.
The clear black and white eyes fell on the practitioner with strange attire.
The next moment, Jiang Lin frowned.
Jiang Lin saw that the practitioner's practice was a mixture of Taoism's pure and blessed Qi and Buddhism's Vajra Qi. Not only did he fail to obtain the essence of both, but instead it turned into a dirty gray. It was simply hard to describe.
Generally speaking, among Buddhist and Taoist practitioners, one is the main one and the other is the auxiliary one. Some may have a Taoist appearance but a Buddhist heart, or some may have a Buddhist appearance but a Taoist heart. There has never been such a strange coexistence.
Yes, Jiang Lin could only use the word weird to describe it.
Seeing that the practitioner was walking in another direction, Jiang Lin had no intention of following him and still stood not far from the Putuo Temple.
Looking at the three big words "Putuo Temple" that seemed wrong, Jiang Lin suddenly thought of the name of this place.
Little Leiyin Country...
Could it really be the little Leiyin who once traveled westward?
It seems that he has not only left the territory of Zhou Kingdom, but also left the Southern Continent...
However, it needs to be confirmed again.
Jiang Lin thought about it and walked towards the gate of Putuo Temple.
"Knock knock..."
When he arrived at the door, Jiang Lin knocked politely.
Not long after, the door was opened from the inside, and a Taoist monk came out. He was dressed in Taoist robes, serious and meticulous, but he had a big, shiny bald head with clearly visible scars from his vows of devotion... a Taoist monk?
For a moment, Jiang Lin really didn't know what to call this weirdo.
"Blessed be the bodhisattva of infinite blessings."
When the Taoist monk saw Jiang Lin, he was stunned at first, then he put his hands together in greeting. As soon as he opened his mouth, Jiang Lin became nervous again.
What is it that can bring you infinite blessings as a Bodhisattva?
Jiang Lin suppressed his inner thoughts of complaining and returned the greeting: "Blessings and infinite heavenly master, this... Taoist friend, you are polite."
"Hahahaha!"
The Taoist monk couldn't help but laugh when he saw this, and said, "Master, you are not from my Little Leiyin Country, right?"
As he said this, without waiting for Jiang Lin to answer, he asked himself, "That's not what I think, otherwise it wouldn't be like this."
Hearing this, Jiang Lin's mouth twitched obscurely, and he said, "I am indeed not from here. I came here from the Great Zhou of the Central Plains of the Red County of Shenzhou."
"Oh? You are from Middle-earth. I am so sorry for your disrespect."
The Taoist monk was somewhat surprised when he heard this and said, "From Nanshanbuzhou to our Xiniuhezhou, there is a vast ocean between us. The fact that the Taoist priest was able to travel all the way here shows that he is a very accomplished Taoist. I can't wait any longer."
"It's just holding on for a breath."
Jiang Lin's expression changed when he heard this, and then he bowed and said, "I'm so tired when I get here, so I'm so shameless to knock on your door. I hope you can let me stay here for a few days."
"Of course, please come in, Taoist priest."
Dawson readily stepped aside and guided Jiang Lin into the Putuo Temple.
On the way, the Taoist monk explained to Jiang Lin.
The Taoist monk said: "The practitioners in my Little Leiyin Country are very different from those in the Central Plains. They do not worship only one school, but both Taoism and Buddhism. What's more, some practice all kinds of arts and worship the Immortal Buddha together."
"By the way, my Buddhist name is Pucheng."
"My name is Xuanying."
Jiang Lin smiled and nodded, and also noticed Pu Cheng's self-introduction, and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
"Oh, we, the practitioners of the Little Leiyin Nation, practice both Taoism and Buddhism, so we call each other fellow Taoists, but we call ourselves "I". After all, calling ourselves "poor Taoist" or "poor monk" is not quite appropriate."
Pu Cheng smiled and said, "Why not, bring some worldly airs with you? After all, you and I are both rolling around in this world."
"indeed."
Jiang Lin nodded with a smile, and while speaking, he had already arrived at the main hall of Putuo Temple.
Although the Putuo Temple occupies the most prosperous and central location of this oasis town, it does not cover a very large area.
The architecture inside, just as Pu Cheng said, is a mixture of Buddhism and Taoism, giving Jiang Lin a sense of déjà vu that makes him feel uncomfortable.
Just to talk about the two sides of the road in front of the main hall, one row has a mixture of jujube and peach trees, and the other row has only one bodhi tree.
Not only does it look irregular, but it also lacks any "Taoist" or "Buddhist" spirit. On the contrary, under the sunlight, the shadow casts a bit of weirdness.
Pu Cheng had obviously gotten used to it, or in his heart, this was the embodiment of the "right way" he was practicing.
"Master, this is the main hall of my temple, where the Three Maos are enshrined."
Pu Cheng pointed at the main hall and said to Jiang Lin.
"Samao Zhenjun?"
Jiang Lin asked back as if he didn't hear clearly.
"No, no, no, it's Master Sanmao."
Pu Cheng corrected with a smile, then raised his hand and pushed open the door of the main hall.
Jiang Lin squinted his eyes and looked over.
In the main hall, there were twelve thunder generals on one side and eighteen arhats on the other side.
Above the shrine in the middle is a meter-tall statue.
This statue is actually cast in gold, not just a layer of gold foil.
This is simply...
Luxury.
Jiang Lin couldn't help but blink his eyes. To be honest, it was not impossible for him to make a statue of the Emperor using only gold, but the gods would not like it.
Although gold is expensive, it is precisely because it is too expensive that most gods find it too ostentatious.
However, there are always some "immortals" who are unique. The so-called Sanmao Zhenjun, whom Jiang Lin has never heard of, must be one of them?
However, how did the Putuo Temple produce so much gold?
Jiang Lin thought to himself, looked up, and frowned.
I saw that the so-called genuine golden body of Sanmao Zhenjun had a wooden head on top.
If three hands can be considered a head. That's right, what is supported on the shoulders of Sanmao Zhenjun is not a head, but three palms extending from the neck.
The hands on both sides are placed in front, making the Amitabha mudra, while the middle hand is raised straight up, making the Dow finger.
Overall, there is no harmonious integration of Taoism and Buddhism, although in fact there is no such thing.
But this statue of the so-called Sanmao Zhenjun was extremely abrupt, lacking any of the compassion or majesty that a statue of a deity should have. It was simply...
It's like falling into evil.
"Master, you probably haven't heard of Master Sanmao, right?"
"The so-called three flourishes are taken from the idea that the three flowers of essence, energy and spirit are all flourishing and blooming."
Pu Cheng on the side smiled and explained: "These three are the foundation of human beings. Therefore, Sanmao Zhenjun is not a specific god, but refers to the spirit of the cultivator."
Jiang Lin's expression remained unchanged when he heard this, but the absurdity in his heart became more and more intense.
Whether it is Taoism or Buddhism, there is no right path.
It is true that essence, energy and spirit are the foundation of the human body. Whether it is Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism or the folk arts and crafts, this point is fully recognized.
But the problem is, I have never heard of any serious lineage that worships the concept of essence, energy and spirit, or even conceives of a deity as a concrete manifestation.
If your spirit, energy and soul become gods, then what are you?
The essence, energy and spirit need to be refined, nurtured and allowed to flourish, rather than being placed on a shrine and worshipped.
"Do all the temples and monasteries in the Little Leiyin Kingdom worship the True Lord Sanmao?"
Jiang Lin looked at Pu Cheng thoughtfully, but the latter shook his head slightly and said, "In our Dharma Temple, we worship Sanmao Zhenjun, and in the Buddhist temple, we worship Liuhe Bodhisattva."
"The six senses are naturally the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind."
Listening to Pu Cheng's explanation, Jiang Lin nodded slightly.
It can be seen that the practitioners of Putuo Temple, or the Little Leiyin Kingdom, want to choose a path to heaven between Buddhism and Taoism. This ambition is great, but the results are obviously not satisfactory.
and……
Jiang Lin looked up at the statue of Sanmao Zhenjun, and felt a burning sensation on his forearm. He sensed something, and these things even made the Fengdu Jiuquan command respond spontaneously.
Let's take a closer look...
Jiang Lin thought to himself and temporarily suppressed the Fengdu Jiuquan Order.
"Master!"
At this time, a boy came over and said to Pu Cheng, "Master, the camel caravan has arrived."
"Oh?"
Pu Cheng nodded and said to Jiang Lin apologetically: "Master, I have some things to deal with. How about asking my disciple to take you to rest?"
Jiang Lin did not answer, but just asked: "Are there only two of you in your temple?"
"Not really, it's just that the other disciples and the abbot are all practicing, and today is my turn."
Pu Cheng replied with a smile.
"In that case, I will go and help as well. I can't leave the order for nothing."
After saying that, without waiting for Pu Cheng to refuse, Jiang Lin walked towards the entrance of Putuo Temple.
"I am really sorry to trouble you, Taoist priest."
Pu Cheng followed somewhat embarrassedly. The main entrance had been opened and a camel caravan was vaguely visible.
He smiled and said, "This is the rule here. All the expenses of the Little Leiyin Temple are funded by the people."
As he spoke, Pu Cheng sighed and said, "Speaking of which, our land is not peaceful either."
"In addition to the practitioners in the temples, there are also many evil people who harm the people. Thanks to the leadership of the two abbots of Shouyang Temple and Lantuo Temple, the evil people were contained and the people are now safer."
"It is precisely because of this that the people of the Little Leiyin Kingdom respect us very much, and offering sacrifices to us has become a common practice."
Pu Cheng gave Jiang Lin a general introduction.
"I see."
Jiang Lin nodded and memorized the two words "Shouyang Temple" and "Lanta Temple" in his mind.
"It just so happens that one of my brothers' magic weapon was damaged in a fight with a demon some time ago. I wonder if there is any suitable material to use this time."
Pu Cheng muttered as he came to the leader of the camel caravan. It was worth mentioning that this camel caravan was exactly the one that Jiang Lin had seen in the desert before.
"I have seen the immortal! May the immortal have a long and blessed life!"
Seeing Pu Cheng appear, all the members of the camel caravan, led by the leader, knelt on the ground.
This made Jiang Lin frown.
It was not only because the leader's attitude was too respectful, but also because of the expressions on the faces of the people.
Beneath the flattery, there was an unconcealable fear and panic, as if they were afraid that Pu Cheng would do something to them.
In short, this is definitely not the right behavior towards a "benefactor".
"Ah."
Pu Cheng smiled and nodded, but did not go to help him. Instead, he asked condescendingly: "This time, in addition to the daily use, how many magic materials do you have?"
Legal materials?
Jiang Lin looked back at the Putuo Temple behind him, and his eyes fell directly on the statue of Sanmao Zhenjun in the main hall.
"Reporting to the Immortal, there are three in total."
The leader of the camel caravan spoke cautiously, and then seeing Pu Cheng frowning, he hurriedly pulled out three children from behind the crowd.
Each of them is a child under the age of ten.
"Please look, Immortal. This is our best magic material. We don't have much more!"
The camel caravan leader spoke tremblingly.
"Um……"
Pu Cheng looked at the three children who had confused looks as if they had lost their souls, raised his hand and pinched one of them on the face.
"Yes, they are indeed useful. After peeling off these three skins, they will be just right for Brother to use to repair his magic weapon."
Pu Cheng nodded in satisfaction and said, "You have passed this test."
“Is this a Dharma material?”
At this moment, Pu Cheng suddenly heard the voice of Taoist Xuanying, which was cold and indifferent.
He turned around and nodded in confusion, saying, "Of course it's the magic materials. Oh, Taoist priest, you don't know that the cultivators here all use this method to sacrifice and refine magic tools. Of course, the others will not be wasted. The body is used to make pills, and the soul is used to make spirits. They all have their uses..."
Jiang Lin raised his head and interrupted Pu Cheng's words. His eyes were dark and he looked at Pu Cheng expressionlessly.
"Refining with the blood of living people is an evil way."
"Master, what do you mean? We all practice this way. We can't say that we are different from you in the Middle Earth and therefore we are classified as evil, right?"
Pu Cheng frowned and said, "Master, you are making a big fuss."
As he spoke, he suddenly discovered that a large area of dark demonic energy was spreading behind Taoist Xuanying.
Jiang Lin didn't say anything else.
It is not terrible to practice evil methods and sacrifice living people. At most, you can be killed with one sword.
What is scary is that some people are walking on the wrong path without knowing it, doing evil things without realizing it, and even think that what they are doing is the right way, and they take it as a common practice.
If someone from another lineage were here, they might put in a lot of effort to correct this practice and patiently guide these practitioners onto the true right path.
But for Jiang Lin, evil is evil, and taking the wrong path is one’s own fault!
So, there is only one way to deal with it!
"Where is Feng Li Xiao?"
Jiang Lin's voice was extremely indifferent. He no longer wanted to explore the weirdness of this small Leiyin country. If all the monks in the temples and monasteries in this area were like this, then they would all be killed!
As for the rest, it’s none of my business!
"Feng Li Xiao, please ask the Master for orders."
Accompanied by a low roar, Feng Lixiao's figure appeared behind Jiang Lin.
The three wings spread out, and demonic energy filled the air.
"All the cultivators here will be killed without a single one left alive."
(End of this chapter)
