Rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 366 July Half

The Autumn Festival on the [-]th day of the seventh lunar month is also known as the Half-July Day and the Ancestor Worship Festival among the people. It comes from the Zhou rites.

"Book of Rites Wangzhi" says: "The sacrifices to the ancestral temples of the princes and princes of the Son of Heaven are called Sui in spring, Xuan in summer, Chang in autumn, and Zheng in winter."

The harvest is harvested and the ancestors are worshiped in the autumn. The autumn taste is also called Jianxin. Every autumn harvest, let the ancestors taste the new. The newly harvested fruits, vegetables, millet and other grains will first go to the ancestors' cemetery to worship and worship.

Respecting the heavens and ancestors has always been the thread of Chinese civilization inheritance. After the autumn harvest, the seasonal delicacies are offered to the gods first, and then the family members and grandchildren taste them and share the fruits of labor.

Taoists ordered it to be the Hungry Ghost Festival, where paper ingots can be burned, land sacrifices, river lanterns can be set off, and dead souls can be sacrificed, etc., to help the people respect their ancestors and fulfill their filial piety.

With the introduction of Buddhism, the [-]th day of the seventh lunar month is the Obon Festival. This is the day when the monks’ merits and virtues are completed.

Since Ruo Rong became a Buddha in Xiapi, he held the Yulan Basin Dharma Assembly for three consecutive years. He used copper basins, wooden basins, etc. to fill all kinds of melons and fruits, and made offerings to the Buddha and monks, claiming that it was to save the suffering sentient beings in hell.

As Ruo Rong continued to teach disciples, more than [-] disciples, Buddhist activities are widely popular in Xuzhou, and many people believe in Buddha, so that they can wash away their sins, save themselves from the sea of ​​suffering, and enjoy blessings in the next life.

For the sake of the next life, many people no longer go to worship their ancestors on this day, but offer melons, fruits and grains to the temples, hoping that the Buddha can wash away his sins for himself and avoid falling into hell.

When these three kinds of festivals are gathered in one day, together with Ruo Rong's generous spending, it will be unprecedentedly grand. The Futu Temple has a radius of [-] miles, and there are many people, all looking at the seven-storey Buddha Pagoda and worshiping devoutly.

Futu Temple is centered on a seven-story pagoda, surrounded by monk halls, which can accommodate more than 3000 people. The golden Buddha statues are enshrined in the pagodas and halls. The gold-painted statues and brocade clothes look solemn and solemn.

The Yulan Basin Festival is a grand event for Buddhists. There are [-] miles around Futu Temple, and there are banquets and melons on the avenue. Those who come to watch the ceremony can take it by themselves.

It was just this item of free food and drink that attracted countless people. During the war, the people didn’t have enough to eat or wear warmly. With such cheap food, everyone rushed to come. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside the Futu Temple, and the momentum was huge.

On the highest floor of the pagoda in Futu Temple, Ruo Rong ate, drank and laughed with seven or eight monks and followers. Looking out from the window of the pavilion, one could see a sea of ​​people outside, like ants.

Zuo Rong laughed and said: "Back then, the Zhangjiao Yellow Turban Uprising had hundreds of thousands of followers spread across all nine states. However, because it was too public, it was backfired and ended up ruined. If you could be like me, wouldn't you be respected by thousands of people?" Support and live happily?"

An old monk nodded and said: "Boss is right. Back then when we started an uprising in Danyang, we were confused and almost lost our lives. The boss was smart and turned into a disciple of Buddhism. Not only did he not have to pay taxes, he also had people offering food and drink, and became the emperor." Not so happy, are you?"

Everyone laughed, toasted and drank, and looked at the surging crowd outside, very contented.

Who would have known that the most revered and enlightened monk on the top of the pagoda of the Futu Temple was actually a remnant of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and Ruo Rong, who was revered by them as the reincarnation of the Buddha, was a murderous demon without blinking an eye.

After failing to participate in the Yellow Turban Uprising, Ruo Rong gathered hundreds of people to join the government, took the opportunity to amass money, and used the money from the government to build Buddhist temples in Pengcheng, Xiapi, and Guangling, which were widely popular among believers.

After several years of development, the Futu Temple in Xiapi has become the best in Xuzhou. In addition to the war in the Central Plains and the suppression of Zhao Yu, the governor of Guangling County, Ze Rong chose the Futu Temple as his old nest, and transported all the money and food here for enjoyment. .

With the continuous promotion of teachings, coupled with Ruo Rong's benevolence, he often provided food and drink for free. At this time, not only the people believed in Buddhism, but also the government, aristocratic families, and wealthy families continued to attract them, providing countless money and food for Buddhist temples every year.

At this time, there is no need for Ruo Rong to work hard. It only needs to create a bigger momentum, and more and more people will be attracted to come.

Who in the world does not commit crimes, can spend money to atone for their sins, and can accumulate virtue for the next life, who would not want to do such a cheap thing?
While drinking happily, suddenly a monk rushed in and reported: "Master, Cao Song's chariot and horses have arrived in the suburbs, and they will arrive in half an hour."

Ze Rong put down his wine glass, stood up and went to the window, looked at the crowd outside, laughed and said, "Very well, Cao Song is the imperial captain and the father of Xuzhou Mu Cao Cao, he can come to Futu Temple to pray, Who will dare to be dissatisfied with us in the future?"

Everyone nodded. A few days ago, Cao's family came to spread the word, saying that Cao Song would come to Futu Temple to pray and meditate for a few days. Waiting for this day.

The presiding monk folded his palms together and said, "If Master Cao can become a few disciples of Futu Temple in the future, our temples in Guangling and Pengcheng will develop again. The Buddhist affairs will flourish and the Dharma will be vast. It is truly blessed by the Buddha."

Another person said: "The Dharma is magnificent, and more people will come to worship Buddha in the future. The host must not forget to ask Cao Song to recommend more friends from the same party to come. The more wealthy families come, the better."

The host laughed and said: "I met with Cao Song, and I will let him understand that as long as he is willing to pay for his sins, there will be an eminent monk who will chant sutras for him, and he will not suffer after death. Will be glad to come."

Ze Rong sneered and said: "Human nature is so selfish. As long as you preach that you enter Buddhism, your ancestors and children will have nothing to do with them, and all your sins will be eliminated. Look at how many people will come to worship Buddha and burn incense this day, and how many people will share money and burn paper?" ? As long as you live well, nothing else matters."

Another person hurriedly said: "Boss, you must not say such delusional words. It is disrespectful to the Buddha. How can I get rid of the sins of robbery in the early years? We can have today's glory, thanks to the Buddha for eliminating the sins for us. The blessing of the moment!"

"Hahaha, Buddha bless!" Ruo Rong laughed triumphantly, bowed to the sky, walked downstairs, and sent an order: "Immediately order the monks to open the east gate, lay a red carpet and gold bricks in the Jialan Hall, and welcome Cao Cao." donor."

Not long after, I heard the melodious sound of bells and drums in the Futu Temple, and all the spectators were shocked. Except for the morning bell and evening drum in the temple, the bells and drums were never played lightly. They all speculated that some expert would come to the temple.

Half an hour later, Cao Song's chariots and horses appeared outside the temple, seven or eight chariots, protected by more than 200 soldiers, Ruo Rong hid in the Buddhist hall, and ordered the abbot and several venerable monks to come out to welcome him.

The gongs, drums and honor guards were all ready. Along the way, there were monks sweeping the streets and bringing the carriages and horses into the west courtyard. Cao Song got off the carriage with Qin Shao's support, looked around, nodded and smiled.

Seeing all the splendor and splendor, monks clasped together, Sanskrit sounds bursting, and incense burning, I felt very at ease and comfortable in my heart. When I came here, I really felt isolated from the world, and my whole person was much more peaceful.

Sighing deeply, he stepped forward and said to the host, "I'm an ordinary man, how dare I trouble the host to receive you?"

The presiding officer looked pious, recited the Buddha's name, and said: "The Buddha said that all living beings are equal. Donor Cao offers incense to the temple and saves all living beings, just like a bodhisattva who saves the world. It is really immeasurable. The old man welcomes the almsgiver for those people who are in distress."

"Oh, all living beings are suffering!" Cao Song sighed softly, and entered the hall with the host.

(End of this chapter)