The visiting monk was plump with a large, round belly. His bald head was round and smooth, his mouth always smiling broadly like someone who was always happy, his eyes were soft and friendly, but something gleamed deep within him, indicating that behind his childish, smiling face was a powerful mind. His body, plump like a statue of Amithaba Buddha hid something powerful.
Indeed, this Black Faced Monk, whose face was as black as a pot's bottom, was always friendly and full of laughter, viewing the world and human life only from a joyful perspective. However, don't underestimate all this friendliness and gentleness, because this old monk actually possessed supernatural powers that superior to his junior brother, the head of Shaolin Sect.
Hearing his junior brother's complaint, Black Faced Monk laughed, then widened his round eyes and stared at his junior brother.
"Junior brother, as the head of the Shaolin Sect, why do you allow your students to oppose the government? Isn't it the government that has been kind and generous to Shaolin Temple, building this monastery and even giving it a large plot of land?"
"Amitabha... of course, Pin-ceng won't forget that... precisely because of that, Pin-ceng feels concerned and is uneasy, Senior brother."
"We are not against the government, not at all. We understand that the government's plan is excellent. Digging and building a large canal between the Yellow River and Yangtse river is indeed very beneficial, facilitating trade. However... it's the implementation, Senior brother!"
"Its implementation deviated from its good intentions. Just imagine. People were exploited, forced to work without pay, receiving even meager rations, and receiving no medical treatment or assistance if they fell ill. It's unknown how many people died, not to mention the families who were left homeless. We oppose this unfair treatment. We oppose the implementers, the corrupt people who exploited this opportunity to maximize their profits, dancing on the corpses of the common people, profiting from their cries! What does Senior brother think?"
The smile on his dark face widened.
"Junior brother himself certainly knows very well that all forms of violence are wrong. The implementation of violence, in any form, will never bring about peaceful results. Junior brother himself knows that no matter how good the goal, if the implementation is not right, the results will certainly not be right. Now, if Junior brother's good goal of bringing prosperity and peace to the people is carried out with violence, with fighting, how can the results be good?"
"Amithaba... what Senior brother said is true, and pin-ceng can see the truth. However, should we just stand by and watch the people being oppressed, pressured, squeezed, and killed?"
"Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu... Do we still need to be surprised by all these events, Junior brother? There's nothing to be surprised about, nothing to regret, although that doesn't mean we should just sit back and ignore it. Humans are obligated to strive, Junior brother, but all implementation and effort must be done on the right path, not through violence and hostility. Wouldn't it be better if Junior brother filed a report with the Palace so that the Emperor himself would know how those carrying out this great project are committing irregularities?"
Thian Cu Monk shook his head and took a deep breath.
"We haven't tried, Senior brother. But it would probably be useless. First, it's impossible to report directly to the Emperor without going through the officials and ministers, and going through them would certainly be futile and would never reach the Emperor. Second, even if it could reach the Emperor, wouldn't the Emperor trust the officials' reports more than ours? Never mind, Senior brother. I don't think our disciples' actions were wrong, directly defending the people from the oppression of those corrupt officials. Now, there's something else that's even more concerning."
"Amitabha... Junior brother, why do you fill your life with nothing but complaints and worries? Look carefully, Junior brother, isn't everything happening by the will of the Almighty? Why be curious? We know that everything on this earth is inseparable from the wheel of karma. Our duty is not to change reality, but to awaken people so that each one can improve their own path, because only we ourselves can improve our own karma. We plant the seeds, nurture them, and we will reap the harvest ourselves. Enough, Junior brother already knows all of that, there's no need for me to repeat it. Now, tell me what else is more concerning to you, Junior brother?"
The Shaolin Sect leader took a deep breath again. Of course, as a great figure, both in martial arts and religious knowledge, he understood everything his senior brother had said. However, he also knew that no matter what, he would never be able to free himself from all his inner troubles like his senior brother. His senior brother lived alone, free in the air like a bird, with no ties whatsoever, either physical or mental. Therefore, it was easier for his senior brother to be truly free. But him?
He became the leader of Shaolin Sect, even though he tried to free his mind. How could he be free from his duties as leader?
How could he remain silent when hearing his students' reports? No, he was an ordinary human being still full of ties. And he knew that as long as ties existed, his ego would still run rampant, because it was i who was bound and liked to bind myself. And as long as these ties existed, his life would always be filled with conflict, worry, disappointment, violence, and sorrow. He sighed again. Was this fate also his karma?
"It's nothing other than the conflict with the followers of the Tao Religion, Senior brother."
"Amitabha... that old disease has relapsed! This is truly even stranger. It's clear that we are religious people who always shun violence, hostility, and eradicate hatred. Likewise, the followers of the Tao Religion, pin-ceng believe that they too are human beings that seeking a bright path through their religion, seeking to improve themselves and others to become virtuous people. However, what is happening now? They and we, two religious groups passionate about peace and human well-being, are now even enemies and inciting conflict and hostility among themselves?"
"This time, they have gone too far, Senior brother. Seeing how much we oppose the canal diggers and the tyranny of the corrupt officials, they are deliberately helping those officials and opposing us. They are even the ones who say that we are rebelling against the government."
"They seem to be deliberately exploiting the conflict between the Shaolin Sect and government officials to sow discord and tarnish the Shaolin Sect reputation in front of government. Isn't that very dangerous for us?"
At that moment, three figures suddenly flashed into the room. They were three strong men, disciples of Shaolin Sect. As soon as they arrived at the hut where the two elderly monks were conversing, they immediately knelt down.
"Honorable Master and Uncle Master, please forgive the three of us if we disturbed both of you."
The Elder looked at his three disciples with furrowed brows, then looked outside.
"Why have you come to see me? Isn't the meeting supposed to start after noon? It's still too early, and if all the students have gathered, they should wait in the meeting room. Pin-ceng will be there at noon."
"Master, the brothers have indeed gathered, and they've been waiting, but they know that Master won't be coming to open the meeting until noon. However, our three junior dared to come to see you is not for that reason, but to report that there had been a major clash down the hill between several senior bothers and a group of taoist. At first, it was just a fight between two people, but their friends arrived, and eventually several senior brothers went there. They are worried, after consulting with the Senior brothers who were still there, junior immediately went to see Master to report."