The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 234 - 208, Verse from Another World_2

At this moment, Bian Ji was still unaware that the pretty-faced young man sitting across from him was already preparing a trap…

"Lord, your statement," he said with interest, "seems to suggest that Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are no different from one another."

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However, Zhao Douan shook his head and replied,

"If one stands outside, the teachings of the three schools seem similar. But once you enter, I feel they are quite different."

He pointed to the first bowl:

"Confucianism doesn’t involve any mysterious or powerful cultivation; it’s all about learning to conduct oneself in accordance to the world, nurturing righteousness, rectifying the heart, and being sincere. On a smaller scale, it’s about making oneself better survive in the human world, and on a larger scale, it’s about improving oneself and thus all others.

It emphasizes that everyone has a saint within them.

It merely involves removing the dirt and polishing the original mind, and although it lacks the force of Martial Artists and the trickery of Magicians, it benefits the World. Of course, there are many drawbacks, but once you remove those corrupt Confucians, it essentially remains a noble discipline."

He then pointed to the third bowl:

"As for the Daoist school, it was originally simple to assemble, primarily motivated by the pursuit of immortality. Everyone wants to live, so they learn to cultivate their disposition; the so-called Primordial Qi, Primordial Essence, Primordial Spirit… are essentially all the same.

When it flows, it’s Qi; when accumulated, it’s Essence; and when skillfully utilized, it becomes Spirit. They pursue a long life and aim to become Human Immortals, ascending to immortality… It serves as a target for those seeking eternal life…

Of course, if one genuinely delves into it, perhaps they’ll no longer care about immortality. The pursuit of the Dao itself is joyful. To learn the Dao in the morning and to die in the evening is acceptable—this symbolizes a detachment from the initial, desire-born purpose.

But even if one does not reach such a state, merely cultivating Mana for a longer life, though not as grand as the Confucian virtue of serving all humanity, is still decent as it does not completely sever human relations; it’s just personal pursuit and not necessarily bad."

After pausing, Zhao Douan finally pointed to the middle bowl and said softly,

"As for Buddhism..."

Bian Ji looked at him, his face pleasant,

"Buddhism, which saves oneself and others, cannot possibly be inferior to Taoism, can it?"

Zhao Douan carefully observed his counterpart’s expression, recalibrating his response,

"It’s not exactly ’inferior,’ it just seems too detached. Buddhism emphasizes compassion, but to me, it seems too cold.

The reason people gather under Buddhism is that life in this world is too painful; the world is like a sea of suffering, so people are taught to sever the seven emotions and six desires. The source of pain stems from one’s connections to others; sever these, and naturally, the pain disappears.

Thus, severing ties with parents, not marrying, and then you can sever ties with a spouse and children. Then, there’s still one’s own desires to sever, to take monastic vows, cut off the ’three thousand entanglements’—it’s quite clear, the shaving is not of hair, but of troubles...

Once inside, one still has to observe strict precepts and abstain from greed, anger, and ignorance... this too is about severing human desires... ultimately, crafting oneself into an apathetic robe.

As for saving all beings, it’s merely about pulling them into Buddhism, letting them also escape the ’sea of suffering’ to attain Buddhahood together, promising rebirths and eventual entry into Buddha Country if successful, or rebirth if not... It seems rather crafty."

After finishing his point,

Bian Ji’s face showed no anger, only surprise.

Despite having previously heard this man’s capabilities in governance and strategic maneuvers,

Mostly just considering his excellent talent for cultivation.

Bian Ji had come today without much specific purpose,

More like an impulse, a faint message from his Buddhist heart telling him that this famed "Mr. Zhao" was extraordinary.

He decided to meet him in person.

However, he had not expected that Zhao Douan, being a mere Martial Artist, would have such insights into the cultivation methods of the three schools.

"Lord Zhao, I think I roughly understand your meaning," said Bian Ji, his demeanor gentle, sitting upright.

Unknowingly, he elevated his interlocutor from a mere official to a "person of fate," worthy of discussing the Dao, and patiently explained,

"However, you seem to indeed have a profound misunderstanding of my Buddhist school.

Those rules and precepts are just for ordinary disciples who struggle to keep their mind’s ’water’ still, often clinging to forms while their true mind gathers dust. We use precepts to forcibly help them remove it.

If Lord Zhao compares the true mind to a bowl of water, then I would compare it to a bright mirror. A mirror covered in dust must be frequently polished. If a disciple enters, and can maintain his true mind and observe the precepts, then strict adherence isn’t necessary...

This is the gateway to cultivation. As for profound Magic and wisdom, they naturally arise later, without the need for deliberate pursuit."

Bian Ji paused, then sighed,

"However, Lord Zhao, though you misunderstand, even this understanding of Buddhist logic shows you possess wisdom. Yet, I wonder why you still cling to secular power and wealth. Wouldn’t a quiet cultivation potentially lead to greater achievements, far better than being a worldly official?"

In their discussion, a sense of regret was evident.

Zhao Douan shook his head and said,

"Magician, what you say sounds appealing, but what I’ve seen doesn’t align with it."

"Oh? I would like to hear the details."

"Magician, you said that ordinary people use precepts, but if they cultivated to a higher level, they would no longer need these. Presumably, at a high level, one can also emit or withdraw at will; all things in the world reflect in one’s mind’s mirror, no longer clinging to forms, but truly understanding the true mind, correct?"

"That is natural."

Good... that’s exactly what I was waiting for... Zhao Douan suddenly appeared to smile yet not smile, staring at the white-robed monk:

"Then I’m quite curious, Magician, have you reached such a high level?"

Bian Ji paused.

Zhao Douan didn’t wait for him to speak and continued,

"I’ve heard that, Magician, you are a trusted figure beside Abbot Xuan Yin, famous from your early years for the phrase ’Spring arrives and the grass turns green,’ and as for external cultivation, you’ve already reached the ’World’ realm.