roccoschili Chapter 254 Confucian scholar and judge talk at night
Chapter 254 Confucian scholar and judge talk at night
Once upon a time, there was an old Confucian scholar named Lin in Yingzhou (now Fuyang City, Anhui Province), who was knowledgeable and of good conduct.
When Lin was young, he lived in a temple to study. The temple was very large and spacious, and there were many people renting it.
However, Lin has a withdrawn personality and does not like to interact with others, so he does not interact with other people in the temple.
One night, Lin lay in bed tossing and turning for some unknown reason. He still couldn't fall asleep until midnight, so he simply stopped sleeping, got up from the bed, and ran outside for a walk under the moonlight.
Suddenly, a guest who was also walking outside saw him and came over to greet him.
Lin felt a little lonely in the long night, and felt happy to have someone to chat with, so he invited the guest to his room to chat.
Lin thought he was somewhat talented, but he didn't expect that this guest was also well-spoken, well-organized and had unique insights.
The two of them had a great time chatting freely and freely. Occasionally speaking about the topic of karma, Lin said: "Since ancient times, sages and sages have done good deeds without asking for anything. If they do it to satisfy the purpose of utilitarianism, even if they do it If things are in accordance with the laws of nature, then his intention is purely to satisfy his own desires. Therefore, the so-called 'field of blessing' in Buddhism is not approved by a true gentleman."
The guest retorted: "Sir's statement is purely a scholar's opinion. However, it is OK to ask for yourself, but not for others; it is OK to ask for gentlemen, but it is OK for everyone in the world to ask for it. , that will definitely not work.
The purpose of saints in establishing education is nothing more than to want people to do good deeds. Those who are unable to do good deeds are encouraged and supported to do them; those who are unwilling to do good deeds are forced to do them by driving and whipping.
Therefore, punishments and rewards also came into being. For a person who does good deeds in order to get rewards, the sage will only affirm that he is a good person and will certainly not blame him for doing good deeds in order to get rewards;
And for those who have to do good deeds because they are afraid of being punished, the sage will also admit that he is a good person, and will certainly not hold him accountable for having to do good deeds because he is afraid of being punished.
If you use punishments and rewards to force people to follow moral principles, but accuse people of liking rewards and fearing punishments because they have certain desires, then people's compliance with punishments and rewards will be said to be bad, and their failure to comply with punishments and rewards will also be said to be bad. If it is not good, people will be in a dilemma, at a loss, not knowing what to do.
Moreover, since liking rewards and fearing punishment are called human desires, but they have to use punishment and rewards to maintain them, then people will say that the sage actually uses the desire of people to induce the people. Does this make sense?
Because there are few people with great wisdom and great wisdom in the world, and there are many ordinary people, so the punishment and rewards of saints are actually set for people below the average level.
The Buddhist theory of cause and effect is also an explanation for people below the average level. Although Buddhism and Confucianism have different purposes, their views on teaching people to be good are completely consistent.
Sir, you use Dong Zhongshu’s point of view of “seeking profit and planning for merit” to refute the Buddhist theory of cause and effect. Are you trying to refute the saint’s views on punishment and rewards as well?
The teacher only saw monks tempting people to give money, so he said that this person was doing good deeds and could get blessings; if he didn't give, he was not doing good deeds! When you see ordinary people eating fast and burning incense, you will say that this is a good deed and you can get blessings; if you don't do this, you are not doing good and must be guilty.
From this, it is mistakenly believed that the Buddhist theory of cause and effect is completely deceiving and confusing the people.
In fact, sir, you have not really understood that there is actually no difference between what Buddhism teaches about good and evil and what Confucianism teaches; and what Buddhism teaches about karma and retribution for good and evil is not essentially different from what Confucianism teaches. "
Lin was dissatisfied with the guest's argument and wanted to further express his opinions.
The two of them discussed each other and had a very lively conversation, and before they knew it, it was almost dawn.
The guest stood up and wanted to go out, but Lin insisted on staying.
At this time, it was bright outside and the morning light came in. The guest suddenly stiffened and stood motionless.
Lin felt very strange. When he took a closer look, he found that this guest was not a clay sculpture of a judge in the temple!