Three Kingdoms

Religion is not necessary for the development of society as a whole. Because religion was not born with the birth of society, religion is only a phased product of society.

Another very important point is that human spiritual and cultural needs are always changing, and modern information is like a huge amount. No matter which religion it is, as long as it puts forward a belief goal, it cannot be easily removed. Change, and such a faith goal that will never change cannot keep up with the pace of development of human society and cannot meet the needs of the human spirit.

Therefore, when society develops to a certain stage and humans no longer need the role and function of religion, religion will disappear. A simple example is the totem belief of ancient ancestors.

Totems are undoubtedly the most sacred things for tribes, but in later generations they have become relics. Only artists and historians are interested in them, and they have no mysterious power.

However, in Fei Qian's era, the speed of information dissemination was still very slow. The slow pace of religion and its long-term and subtle organizational structure were still very suitable for the environment of the Han Dynasty.

In fact, the entire system of Confucianism is considered very good, and there should be corresponding bonuses in terms of education and dissemination of knowledge. However, the relationship between Confucianism and the Han Dynasty court is still too close.

The White Tiger Viewing Meeting held by Emperor Zhang of the Han Dynasty basically confirmed the dominance of Confucianism as an orthodox sect in the Han Dynasty. Confucian disciples rearranged the scriptures through modern scriptures and changed the interpretation of the scriptures to adapt to the new changes and requirements of the Han Dynasty court, thus obtaining With the support of the emperor, he adopted Confucian-educated gentry children and local right-wingers to rule administratively.

It is precisely because of this that Confucianism has flourished forever and has become an evergreen tree in the land of China. Even if later dynasties consciously targeted it, it is still easy to cause whether they appoint Wang Anshi or Sima Guang. Although people do not It’s the same, but it’s all Confucianism.

As the saying goes, once you enter Confucianism, you will find enemies on the road to political power. If Confucianism is too deeply involved with political power, problems that are too big to be eliminated will inevitably arise.

As for Buddhism, monks have appeared in the Han Dynasty, but due to doctrinal issues, Buddhism has no market in the current period. Moreover, Buddhism is too buddha-nature, and everything is left to chance. Apart from anything else, just looking at the conditions of those purely Buddhist countries in later generations is enough for Fei Qian to make a choice.

As for Christianity or Christianity?

From an exclusive perspective, this type of Unitarian sect is very suitable for aggression. They often say that if you don't believe it, you will go to hell in the future, or simply teach people to go to hell now. It is indeed very suitable for conquest, but it is not conducive to rule and can easily intensify conflicts...

Therefore, after much thought, Fei Qian finally chose Taoism first.

Perhaps Zuo Ci is an opportunity, but more importantly, Taoism is more complex than Buddhism, and it is also more technologically advanced. Taoist priests, the predecessors of alchemists, were chemists, doctors, and even social psychologists in ancient times.

The source of traditional Chinese medicine is the alchemist.

The source of the chemical industry is also the alchemist.

It's just that these alchemists ultimately used their power in the wrong direction...

The surrounding Hu people all have their own innate religion, but it is basically primitive worship. Most of them do not have any established scriptures and teachings. They also have their own gods, such as Changshengtian, Baishi God, and some strange ones. Biology, all kinds of things are different.

Although these barbarian people believe in different gods, they all belong to tribal religions, or they can be called regional religions, which is a religious system within a small scope. Without the tribe or this area, what is the matter? It is neither, nor is it accepted by other tribes.

Now, the Taoism and Confucianism of the Han Dynasty that Fei Qian has come into contact with can only be called national religions, because these two sects are too closely related to Chinese customs and concepts, so although they are not exclusive, they want to be passed on to other countries. Regions often have different cultural levels and cultural customs, making it difficult to spread successfully.

In other words, it is easy to get acclimatized.

In order to spread to the outside world, in addition to having missionaries, it also needs a religious system that is more advanced than regional religions and has considerable appeal. This is exactly what Taoism currently lacks.

"The Tao can be Tao, but it is very Tao. The name can be named, but it is very famous."

Without explanation, most people won’t understand it at all, let alone accept it.

So when Fei Qian looked at Zuo Ci, his eyes became extremely complicated, making Zuo Ci a little uneasy.

The banquet was invited, the food was eaten, and the wine was drunk. Naturally, it was time to talk about some serious business...

Fei Qian pondered for a long time and then said: "Zhen Zhenren, may I ask why you prospered? Why you failed?"

Zuo Ci's eyelids twitched. He lowered his head and thought silently. After a long time, he said word by word: "...Tao, prosperity is achieved by Tao, defeat is defeated by Tao..."

Fei Qian clapped his hands lightly and praised: "Zhenren Zuo has mastered the Tao..."

Taoism actually had no enemies at the beginning, and its enemy was only himself.

Taoism is one of China's native sects, with "Tao" as its highest belief. Taoism is based on the concept of worshiping ghosts and gods in ancient China. It is based on the Taoist thoughts of Huang Lao and inherited the immortal magic since the Warring States Period. Generally speaking, it is a polytheistic religious system. Its main purpose is to pursue immortality and attain Taoism. Immortal, help the world and save people.

Zuo Ci couldn't help but feel a little surprised when he heard Fei Qian asked about such words. Now, although Zuo Ci said yesterday's pretense was exposed by Fei Qian, he has seen many county magistrates and generals in recent years, but basically they are either asking for prescriptions or complaining about their troubles. They even seek immortality, but Fei Qian is the first person to directly point to the central idea of ​​Taoism and inquire about the essence of Taoism...

Zuo Ci looked at Fei Qian and said with some uncertainty: "Is it possible that the general also worships Tianzun?"

Fei Qian smiled and shook his head slightly. It was always difficult to say that I just didn't believe in God in front of his face, so he said in vague words: "The offering is just a ritual, and the God is at his own mercy."

When Zuo Ci heard this, his eyes immediately lit up. He repeated it in a murmur. He couldn't help but put up his palms and praised Tianzun, praising: "The general is really wise and his words have profound meaning... Well, the offering is just a ceremony. Tianzun is at ease in people's hearts... ...Well, goodness, great goodness, the deep meaning of 'Tao follows nature'..."

oh?

What do I mean by what I said?

Okay.

Fei Qian blinked and could only smile. In fact, isn’t this a technique used by almost all religions in later generations? Just like "God is with you" in Western religions and "Everyone can become a Buddha" in Buddhism, don't they all mean the same thing?

Fei Qian waited until Zuo Ci calmed down a little, then said: "If you want to know the way, there is only one way. Is Zhenren Zuo willing to be a person who knows the way?"

Zuo Ci was stunned for a moment and remained silent.

This is a major problem for Taoism and a very big obstacle to the spread of Taoism. There are so many immortals in Taoism that even Taoist people are not clear about them, such as Taiyi Jun, Wuji Taishang Yuanjun, Dongwangfu, Xiwangmu, etc. Each of them has a detailed description for the sake of convenience. It's true and trustworthy, but the question is when the people don't even recognize the words, can so many gods distinguish it?

If "three establishments" are the dream of most people who study Confucian classics, then founding a sect and establishing a religion is naturally the basic wish of religious people. At the worst, they will regard spreading teachings as a part of their lives.

Therefore, when Fei Qian said the words "Ming Dao", Zuo Ci's heart couldn't help but beat violently. At his level, his understanding of Taoism was beyond that of ordinary Taoists, so for Taoism The disadvantages are also clearer, but although Zuo Ci understands it, he can't think of any solution. It's like being in the mountains, knowing the depth of the clouds, but not knowing the depth...

"May I ask, general, why you know the way?" Zuo Ci did not immediately agree happily. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, stared at Fei Qian closely, and asked every word.

Since Fei Qian proposed to "clear the way", there must be a certain method, or even a moral principle that can create a new school. Otherwise, it will just be lip service and talk, and cannot be truly implemented.

At this moment, Zuo Ci was even more nervous than Fei Qian, because in his heart he actually hoped that Fei Qian could come up with some brand-new theories to resolve his long-standing doubts...

"The difficulty in Tao means that immortality cannot be achieved..." Fei Qian nodded and said lightly, "I wonder if Zuo Zhenren thinks so?"

At the beginning, Taoism put forward the concept of immortality in order to firmly grasp the hearts of the ruling class, or to borrow human beings' fear of death and to comply with the requirements of the ruling class. However, this theory of immortality became the foundation of Taoism. The rise of Taoism has also become an obstacle to Taoism.

Because this is too easy to prove to be false, even if there are other excuses to cover up the repairs, the ruthless reality always slaps you in the face again and again...

The first person to be beaten in the face was naturally Qin Shihuang.

It is precisely because of this that once the ruling class finds out that it has been deceived, Xu Fu will not be responsible for the overwhelming anger...

Zuo Ci was silent, and after a long time he nodded slowly, as if the bones in his neck had become rusty. It was difficult and painful, and said, "May I ask, general, how to solve it?"

This is the fundamental teaching of Taoism, and Zuo Ci is also troubled by this. Overturning the theory of immortality also overturns the foundation of Taoism. However, this immortality is indeed a huge insurmountable gap in front of him.

In this regard, Buddhism and Western sects analyze the shortcomings of Taoism, do not shy away from death in this life, and exaggerate the blessings of the next life or eternal life after death, so as to avoid this practical problem.

Under Zuo Ci's expectant gaze, Fei Qian said slowly: "This matter is difficult to say and easy to say. It just depends on how Zuo Zhenren is willing to choose..."

Zuo Ci took a long breath and remained silent.

Zuo Ci knew what Fei Qian meant, but it was difficult to make this decision.

Originally, Zuo Ci came to Pingyang to use some tricks to fool Fei Qian, and then get some benefits from Fei Qian, and pretend to be Zuo Xianren in a cool and unrestrained manner, but Fei Qian saw through it.

Therefore, from Zuo Xianren, he was downgraded to Zuo Zhenren, which is equivalent to the status of a retainer. In later generations, it is the so-called ordinary consultant level of the company. And now when Fei Qian says such a sentence, it means this If Zuo Ci really wants to know what kind of strategies Fei Qian has, he must treat Fei Qian as his master and change from a retainer to a subordinate.

Relatively speaking, retainers, or guest generals, are relatively free and do not have so many restrictions. Even if Zuo Ci becomes unhappy for a moment, he can leave at any time, just like Guan Yu left Cao Cao and Liu Bei left Yuan Shao. , there is no issue of betrayal.

But once you express your respect for him as the master, it is different. Those who betray the master will undoubtedly label themselves as traitors. From now on, wherever they go, they will be looked down upon with contempt.

Zuo Ci's eyebrows kept beating. After a long time, the pursuit of Taoist teachings finally overwhelmed everything. He left the table and bowed down with some helplessness, saying: "If the general can teach you without mercy, enlighten the way to relieve the poor, the poor... Ci is willing to help." The general drove..."

Fei Qian hurriedly stepped forward, helped Zuo Ci up, and then asked Zuo Ci to sit down again. Fang said, "Don't worry about Yuan Zang. Someone will definitely help Yuan Fang here, establish a sect, and bring light to the Taoism..." It wasn't Fei Qian. There is a subconscious intention to embarrass Zuo Ci, but there must be such a distinction between priority, otherwise when Zuo Ci has more people in the later period and loses this name, it will inevitably be difficult to control.

Zuo Ci raised his palms and originally wanted to bow his head, but halfway through, he changed his hands and said, "...Please give me some advice, General..."

"Since immortality is unattainable..." Fei Qian nodded and said word for word, "Let's change it to a transcendent life!"

"...Super...sheng..." Zuo Ci was stunned and muttered again.

Today's Taoism, in addition to lamenting the shortness of life and using immortality as a bait to relieve Chinese people of the fear of becoming ghosts after death, does not have any corresponding remedies for the shortcomings and regrets caused at each stage of life, let alone talk about the afterlife. situation, so it is not very attractive.

Buddhism is about doing good deeds and accumulating virtues to eliminate karma, Christianity is also selling indulgences, no matter what, they all give people some psychological sustenance when they encounter regrets and regrets, while Taoism is a rigid "let nature take its course"... …

Especially regarding life and death, "Buddha advocates no life, Tao seeks immortality." Although immortality is a vision born from people’s natural desire to live and fear death, it is a religious doctrine and can easily be falsified from both logic and experience: Logically speaking, since there is life, there is no reason for immortality; Judging from empirical facts, there are no immortals throughout the ages. Taoism's theory of immortality, especially physical immortality, has always been refuted and criticized by other opposing sects.

Therefore, the doctrine of "immortality" must be reformed. Failure to reform is equivalent to setting a huge target, and there are not many means to fight back when others attack...

"...Super birth, super birth!" Zuo Ci murmured and repeated, a smooth smile slowly appeared on his face, and then the smile spread, and he looked up to the sky and laughed, "Super birth! That's it! The remaining body has been shed. , Reshape the Immortal Body! That’s right! Hahaha... When you conquer the golden elixir avenue, it is the beginning of transcendence! You can enjoy the life span of heaven and earth! You can travel to the Nine Netherworlds of the Clouds! Hahaha..."