As soon as they stepped outside, the townspeople became even more eager for gossip.
It was just that the one who came out was Tang Yu, not that young master.
Though puzzled, they could only keep watching.
Seeing that the townspeople had all come to spectate, the abbot and the temple master were quite pleased.
It was time for a debate between Buddhism and Daoism, so everyone would know that Buddhist teachings far surpassed Daoist teachings!
"Come on, what are we debating?"
Tang Yu tucked his hands into his sleeves. It was just an argument—what was the big deal? He did not know much about Daoism, but that did not stop his silver tongue.
"Your Daoism says: Man follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature. You trace the foundation of the universe and all things back to the single word 'Dao.' But in my view, where that Dao lies is precisely in our Buddha, the Tathagata."
As the abbot of Bright Temple, Monk Jicheng naturally possessed some learning.
After his opening remarks, he smiled faintly, pressed his palms together, and continued.
"Why is our Buddha called the Tathagata? The two characters 'Tathagata' already encompass the great Dao of all things. Tathagata—has he come just as he is? Tathagata, of course."
"Did he really come? Tathagata."
"Did he come or not? Tathagata."
"Did the Tathagata truly come? Tathagata."
"Whether he came or not, all is Tathagata. The word 'Tathagata' encompasses all things in the universe. Your Daoists once said, 'The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.' In my view, that is not nearly as thorough as the word 'Tathagata.' So what is the Great Dao? Tathagata!"
After Monk Jicheng