Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1343: Chapter 1342: War of Words

”Amitabha...”

Fahai put his hands together, shifted his gaze, and then immediately changed the subject.

”What the benefactor said is absolutely correct, it was my impatience...”

”Hehe, don’t try to fool me with your excuses.”

Facing Fahai’s words, Fang Zheng sneered.

”Isn’t your Buddhism’s favorite saying that the sea of bitterness is boundless, turning back is the shore, putting down the butcher’s knife to become a Buddha instantly, thinking apologizing makes everything okay? The Japanese even commit seppuku, yet you don’t even bend at the waist, just admitting the fault and it’s over? If apologies worked, why would we need the police... or rather, why would we need aides?”

At this point, Dugu Sword Saint couldn’t help but chime in.

”Your demonic nonsense, insulting Zen Master Fahai here, it’s utterly disrespectful!”

”Shut up.”

However, before Dugu Sword Saint finished speaking, Fang Zheng gave him a cold glance and interrupted him.

”Let me deal with this old bald donkey first, and then I’ll settle accounts with you, who forgets ancestors and calls a thief father!”

”How dare you...!!”

Upon hearing this, Dugu Sword Saint was so infuriated his face turned red, and he raised his longsword, but it was Fahai who held him back.

”Benefactor Dugu, please calm down.”

Fahai said as he continued to fold his hands towards Fang Zheng.

”This benefactor, I apologize, if I have wronged, I accept punishment, but please do not insult my Buddha...”

”Look at him.”

Gazing at Fahai before him, Fang Zheng sneered again and turned to Xu Xian and the others beside him.

”Knowing he can’t beat me, he becomes a gentleman who uses words instead of fists. But earlier when dealing with you, he didn’t even bother to say a word.”

”Exactly, this old bald donkey bullies the weak and fears the strong!”

Upon hearing this, Little Qing immediately jumped up and nodded vigorously, while Bai Suzhen pulled Little Qing aside.

”Little Qing, don’t be rude.”

”Ahahaha...”

Faced with Fang Zheng’s comments, Xu Xian was speechless, as earlier he watched his wife pleading with Fahai at Leifeng Pagoda, only to be ignored. Now facing Fang Zheng, Zen Master Fahai is so humble... Xu Xian, having been imprisoned in Gold Mountain Monastery, was already dissatisfied, and watching Fahai’s display, he felt even more disdain.

After talking to Xu Xian and the others, Fang Zheng once again looked forward, just in time to see the monks of Gold Mountain Monastery coming out, and he allowed himself a sly smile. Fang Zheng, of course, knew what Fahai wanted to do; all bald donkeys are like this, perhaps I can’t beat you, but I will certainly make you see things my way. Witnessing Fang Zheng openly insulting Buddhism in front of so many bald donkeys in Gold Mountain Monastery, if Fahai didn’t refute, then this monastery is doomed.

The believers he receives will also lose their faith.

So, Fahai tries to debate with Fang Zheng to achieve his goal, not realizing... this was also Fang Zheng’s intent...

”Insult your Buddha? Hehe, has Buddhism done anything good? You laze about all day, don’t produce, use Buddhism to collect riches, in simple terms, you’re a bunch of leeches, yet laughably you still think you’re the Savior?”

”You... demonic nonsense!”

”Do not insult my Buddha!”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, the monks of Gold Mountain Monastery immediately jumped up, while Fahai folded his hands again.

”Amitabha... Benefactor, what you said is incorrect. Buddha established Buddhism to be merciful and compassionate, to save people and uplift all beings, to persuade mankind to forsake evil, to cultivate virtue, self-enlightenment and enlighten others! In terms of not producing, monks also farm for self-sufficiency, and furthermore monks study scriptures, educate civilians, promote good customs, isn’t that production?”

”Ridiculous.”

However, Fang Zheng wasn’t buying it.

”Merciful? Compassionate? Saving people? Then I must ask the abbot, I just came back from Miao Territory, where evil demons wreaked havoc and drought persisted for ten years, why haven’t I seen the Great Master go to exorcise demons, save people, uplift all beings? Do you avoid it because you know you can’t win? Or pretend blindness to ignore it? Furthermore, you say monks farm for self-sufficiency, then I must ask, where do your temple’s lands come from? Do you pay taxes? Do you hand over grain?”

”This...”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s questions, Fahai’s face darkened, not having expected Fang Zheng wouldn’t engage in talks of ”Masayuki” ”Truth,” but directly asking practical questions...

”Amitabha... This monastery has a few acres of good land, all donated by benefactors, and by government order exempt from grain tax...”

As for the Miao Territory problem, Fahai could only evade.

But Fang Zheng stared at Fahai.

”Oh, then I would like to ask, why do those benefactors donate good land to your monastery?”

”Naturally, because they turn to my Buddha, to express sincerity.”

”Oh, and what’s the benefit in believing in Buddha for them?”

”Naturally, purification of the Six Senses, doing more good deeds, to ascend to Elysium sooner.”

”That’s strange.”

Fang Zheng folded his arms and sneered continuously.

”According to your view, only those who believe in Buddhism can enter Elysium? Do all who don’t believe in Buddhism have to go to Hell? Buddhism was introduced to the Divine Land only a few hundred years ago; before then, our ancestors didn’t even know what Buddhism was. They didn’t understand Buddha, they didn’t respect Buddha, nor did they worship Buddha. By your logic, does that mean all our ancestors in the entirety of the Divine Territory went to Hell?”

”Amitabha!”

Upon hearing this, Fahai immediately felt a tremor in his heart, and he hastily interrupted Fang Zheng’s words. Such words must not be spoken recklessly; if they spread, chaos would truly ensue!

”Not so, not so, the statement of this benefactor is incorrect. Those who commit many evils suffer in Hell, and those who do good deeds and accumulate virtue go to Elysium in rebirth. This is a fundamental principle of heaven and earth. Regardless of whether they know, respect, or worship Buddha, as long as they have good intentions, they can enter Elysium, join the cycle of rebirth, and enjoy the blessings of the next life.”

”In that case, what’s the purpose of your Buddhism?”

However, faced with Fahai’s response, Fang Zheng pressed on relentlessly.

”According to your saying, whether or not one believes in Buddhism, everyone can enter Elysium just by doing good deeds and accumulating virtue. So why do they still need to donate money, grain, and clothing to you? Let’s not mention the country gentry and merchants who have nothing better to do; why should the common folk take what’s left of their money and grain to give to you?”

”These are all out of the benevolence of the benefactor...”

”Even benevolence requires discernment, doesn’t it.”

Fang Zheng abruptly and impatiently interrupted Fahai’s reply.

”People wear coarse clothes, patched upon patches, have little money at home, and send it all to you. You receive it gladly, without a hint of shame? You were just talking about the mercy of my Buddha? This is how you show compassion? Oh, I don’t ask you for money, but if you offer it, I’ll reluctantly accept it without caring about the giver’s financial situation?”

”.........”

Hearing this, before Fahai could speak, many of the monks from the Gold Mountain Monastery showed embarrassed expressions. Obviously, this sort of thing was not uncommon for them.

It’s just that before, these monks never thought about it in this way, even believing that despite their difficult circumstances, such individuals persisted in worshipping Buddha and distributing wealth, which was true devotion to Buddha. But now, listening to Fang Zheng’s accusations... why do they feel they might be somewhat inhumane?

”Amitabha!!”

Seeing the monks around him waver, Fahai’s expression also became serious and heavy. He originally thought that beings like Fang Zheng, born with the habit of oppressing others with strength, would not be well versed in doctrines and Buddhist scriptures. But unexpectedly, not only was the other party powerful, but their angle of debate was also sharp. It left him at a loss for how to continue the conversation!

Of course, Fahai didn’t know that in Fang Zheng’s era, there was a wondrous existence online known as a ’troll’. Even if you present them with solid evidence, they can make you question your life. Not to mention the elusive fallacies of Buddhism, which to Fang Zheng was all too easy to dismantle.

Back when he was a game producer, the trolls he encountered online were countless, and if Fahai wanted to discuss Buddhism and Dao with Fang Zheng, Fang Zheng would have definitely been overwhelmed. But once Fang Zheng entered troll mode, even if the Tathagata Buddha himself appeared, he would have to kneel and listen!

”My Buddha guides people towards goodness and enlightens all beings...”

”Don’t give me that ’put down the butcher’s knife and become a Buddha on the spot’ line; it makes me sick just hearing it.”

Fang Zheng once again interrupted Fahai’s speech.

”This is what I hate the most. Putting down the butcher’s knife can make you a Buddha on the spot? So if a bandit, after a lifetime of killing countless people, suddenly sees the light and becomes a monk, you would still accept him?”

”Naturally.”

Upon hearing this, Fahai immediately smiled, as if this was right up his alley!

”The boundless Dharma can make you a Buddha as soon as you put down the butcher’s knife. My Buddha has a heart of compassion, regardless of what sins you committed. As long as you are willing to accept the teachings of my Buddha, you can become good...”

”Well said...”

Fang Zheng extended his hand and clapped while seeing this, and Fahai also smiled, but in the next moment, Fang Zheng’s following words caused his smile to freeze.

”Then what about the victims?”

”.........What?”

”I said, the victims.”

Fang Zheng shrugged.

”Didn’t I just mention it? The bandit killed numerous people, and in your eyes, they can become Buddhas as soon as they put down their butcher’s knives. But what about those they killed? What about their relatives? Those who lost their husbands, children, or fathers - yet, the perpetrators, just by believing in Buddhism, are forgiven for all their misdeeds? Their wrongs are forgiven, but the harm they caused to those families - will you compensate for that? Will you take care of those families? Pay them pensions? Hmm? Or care for those widows and orphans?”

”.........”

Hearing this, not only did Fahai stand dumbstruck, but others also found themselves deep in thought. At this moment, Fang Zheng turned his gaze to Xu Xian.

”Xu Xian, suppose your relatives were killed by bandits while out, and then those bandits became monks at a temple. When you find him, he claims he has turned to goodness and devoted himself to Buddha. Would you forgive him?”

”This... this...”

Faced with Fang Zheng’s question, Xu Xian found himself unsure how to respond. Honestly, previously, he might have agreed with Fahai’s views. But now, having heard Fang Zheng’s arguments, Xu Xian was clearly reluctant to continue speaking.

”I... it’s difficult to answer, but... the ancients say, ’Respond to resentment with virtue; what then with virtue...’”

He didn’t continue, but his meaning was clear.

At this moment, Fahai, already unable to speak, heard Xu Xian’s response, and his vision went black and a mouthful of blood sprayed out.

”Abbot!!”

Seeing Fahai’s swaying body, several monks rushed forward to support him while Fang Zheng chuckled.

”Debate is meant for amusement, but for Zen Master Fahai to debate until he spits out dozens of ounces of blood is truly unprecedented, unparalleled—my deepest admiration...”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng pulled out a small fan, not yet the size of his palm, and fanned himself, then looked towards Xu Xian and the others.

”Alright, the show is over; we should get going.”