The dozens of abbots looked at the white-bearded abbot who was pressed to the ground with pale faces. They were afraid and regretful at the same time.
How could they not see that the little Emperor was doing this because they did not cooperate with the decree issued by the Imperial Court?
If they had known this would happen, they would have cooperated with the Imperial Court. Now that the Imperial Court had been put in a difficult position, the little Emperor had turned his hand and made them lose their abbot positions.
The abbots were worried and annoyed, but Pei Ji and the others were all smiles, looking at Li Chengdao with admiration.
The little Emperor's action was like hitting a snake at its seven inches, grabbing hold of the abbot's vitals.
Most importantly, this group of abbots had nothing to say.
If it wasn't for the dozens of abbots who had problems first and were caught by Li Chengdao, if the abbots could make no mistakes at every step, they wouldn't have been given authority and defeated by him one by one.
Pei Ji sighed with emotion. No wonder the little Emperor was able to handle the accumulated administrative affairs of the three provinces, six ministries, and twelve divisions in half a day.
It was not without reason!
At this moment, under everyone's gaze, Li Chengdao tilted his head to look at the middle-aged abbot closest to him and asked,
"Which temple are you from?"
The middle-aged abbot's face turned pale when he saw Li Chengdao asking him that question. He said in a trembling voice,"
"This poor monk is the abbot of Mercy Temple, and his Dharma name is Yuanchang.”
Li Chengdao nodded slightly and said in a tender voice,"Abbot Yuanchang, recite the Heart Sutra of the Prajna Paramita.”
Upon hearing this, Abbot Yuanchang heaved a sigh of relief. If it was any other question, he would have been a little afraid. But when it came to Buddhist scriptures, who knew more than him, an abbot?
"Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, after practicing the deep Prajna Paramita for a long time, saw that the five skandhas were empty and overcome all hardships. The color of the sarira is the same as the void, and the void is the same as the color…"
Soon, Abbot Yuanchang recited the scripture word for word.
"Good recitation."
Li Chengdao looked at him with admiration and continued,"Recite it backwards."
“？？？”The dozens of abbots at the side looked at the little Emperor in astonishment. Recite it backwards? Who would recite the scriptures upside down?
Abbot Yuanchang blushed and said," Your Majesty, This Penniless Monk is stupid and cannot recite it backwards.”
"You've studied Buddhism, but you haven't studied it deeply enough." Li Chengdao said regretfully.”
Abbot Yuanchang's face turned red as he retorted,"
"Your Majesty, it's not that this Penniless Monk doesn't study the Buddhist Dharma, but why do you have to recite it upside down? In this world, who could recite this text backwards?”
"Don't make it sound so absolute. Just because you don't know how to recite it doesn't mean that no one else does.”
Li Chengdao shook his head and said,
"Hadevasatiphi, Tirbha, Tirbha: The incantation is said to be, and the incantation is said to be like Domirappo…"
Hiss--
The dozens of abbots couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air. The little Emperor was actually able to recite the Heart Sutra of Wisdom backward?!
Xin Hui, Dao Yu, Jie Kuan, Ming Xu, and Xuan Wen's expressions became increasingly solemn. They could hear that the little Emperor had memorized every word.
"Did you hear that? I can recite this text backwards. You are an abbot, are you not as good as a child like me?”
After Li Chengdao finished reciting, he looked at Abbot Yuanchang and questioned,""I said that you didn't study the Buddhist Dharma and you immediately retorted. Do you think that your understanding of the Buddhist Dharma is already far beyond others? Where did your arrogance come from?"
Abbot Yuanchang opened his mouth, but he couldn't say anything for a long time.
Li Chengdao didn't look at him anymore, but at the other abbots.
Dozens of abbots met Li Chengdao's gaze and were so scared that their faces turned pale, afraid that he would call them out.
One of the elderly abbots saw Li Chengdao staring at him and his heart trembled. Without waiting for him to speak, he walked out first and put his palms together.
"Your Majesty, this penniless monk is willing to dismiss those monks after returning and let them voluntarily renounce asceticism.”
Hearing this, Li Chengdao raised his eyebrows." Why are you telling me this?”
"Did I say anything about letting monks renounce asceticism? Don't make wild guesses. I'm not targeting any of you!”
“……”
The dozens of abbots looked at Li Chengdao with dull expressions. You didn't target any of us. You directly targeted all of us!
The abbots were frightened. The little Emperor had already forced the three abbots to renounce asceticism.
If he targeted them, wouldn't everyone not need to be abbot anymore?!
Abbot Xin Hui gritted his teeth and walked to Li Chengdao's side. He bowed and put his palms together."Your Majesty, aren't your requirements for the position of abbot too harsh?”
Li Chengdao glanced at him." I'm doing this for the good of all the temples in the world.”
"What kind of person is the abbot? He's promoting Buddhism on behalf of Buddha and Bodhisattva.”
"As the saying goes, one needs to be hard to forge iron.”
Li Chengdao said firmly,
"None of you have thoroughly studied the Buddhist scriptures. How can you do a good job in promoting the Buddhist Dharma?”
"If you can't do what you're supposed to do, how can you face the people who believe in Buddhism?”
"The Imperial Court doesn't care about the Buddhist Sect's matters, but the people pay taxes for the Imperial Court, so the Imperial Court has to be responsible for the people.”
Upon hearing this, Abbot Xinhui was silent for a few seconds before saying in a low voice,
"This Penniless Monk understands."
"When this penniless monk returns this time, this penniless monk will definitely pass on His Majesty's decree to the monks in the temple. If any of them violate the precepts and can't be good monks, this penniless monk will let them renounce asceticism!”
Li Chengdao raised his eyebrows." You're here again."”
"Did you ignore what I said just now? I have said it before, I have no intention of letting monks return to secular life.”
"I want to be responsible for the people and eliminate those who are unable to promote the mysteries of Buddhism from the temple!”
The corner of Abbot Xinhui's mouth twitched a few times. Didn't this mean the same thing? Why do you like to beat around the bush!
However, under Li Chengdao's gaze, Abbot Xinhui smiled bitterly and said,""This Penniless Monk understands."
Li Chengdao smiled at him." Since you understand, go back and study Buddhism. Don't think about things that have nothing to do with Buddhism. In two days, I will summon you again. At that time, I will conduct a spot check. If there are any of you who are not good at Buddhism or can't be an abbot, you will all return to asceticism!”
The dozens of abbots looked at each other and saw the helplessness in each other's eyes. They put their palms together at Li Chengdao and quickly left the palace.
When they could no longer see the backs of the abbots, Pei Ji and the others laughed out loud.
"Your Majesty, your methods are really high.”
"If it were us, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to get off the stage." Li Daozong sighed.”
Sun Fujia smiled and stroked his beard.”
Hearing their compliments, Li Chengdao revealed his white teeth and said solemnly,"
"Next, it's up to you six hall officials.”
"Go to each temple personally and see which monks have problems and ask them to renounce asceticism.”
Li Chengdao raised a finger and warned,"Remember, you're here to let the people of the world realize the true Buddhist Dharma. It's for the temple, not for the country, understand?”
Everyone held back their laughter and bowed in unison."We understand."
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。