In 1378, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the former temple to find the abbot to settle accounts. He asked bluntly, "Do I need to kneel?"When the abbot heard this, his whole body was shocked, and he stepped forward to respond. Zhu Yuanzhang was satisfied after hearing this, and immediately expressed his reward.
As the saying goes, "a companion is like a tiger", and the slightest negligence may provoke the wrath of the emperor and lead to serious consequences. Zhu Yuanzhang was known for his short temper, and historically he was particularly fond of revenge. Zhu Yuanzhang came from a poor background, and the plague and drought came one after another during his childhood, which put the family in trouble, resulting in the death of his parents and an older brother. In order to survive, Zhu Yuanzhang used to herd cattle in the landlord's house, and later chose to leave his hometown and become a monk in a temple. However, under the circumstances, the temple was not a safe place to live, and the monks lived a very poor life, often facing the threat of starvation.
The abbot of the temple often made things difficult for Zhu Yuanzhang, who had just arrived, and assigned him heavy labor tasks, such as cutting large quantities of firewood or carrying heavy objects in a short period of time. This is already difficult for adults, let alone Zhu Yuanzhang, who is still underage. If he fails to meet the deadline, the abbot punishes or reprimands. These difficulties made Zhu Yuanzhang feel frustrated and helpless, but they also inspired his fighting spirit and determination. He understood that respect and recognition could only be earned through his own efforts, so he constantly overcame difficulties to complete the labor tasks assigned by the abbot.
Soon after, due to famine, the temple was unable to sustain itself, and the abbot decided to let the monks go out to make a fortune. Zhu Yuanzhang thus left the temple and joined the rebel army, gradually becoming an important general of the rebel army, and finally seized the rule of the Yuan Dynasty and became the new emperor. But even after becoming the emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang has not forgotten his past, especially the harsh criticism of the abbot.
At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was already the Son of Heaven, and he finally had a bright day. Whenever he recalls the humiliation he suffered in the temple, he decided to take revenge on the abbot. He sent someone to learn that the abbot was still alive and decided to go to the temple himself to make things difficult for the abbot. As long as the abbot is caught at fault, he can take the opportunity to take revenge. When he came to the temple, he was greeted respectfully by the abbot and a group of monks. The abbot knew that the purpose of Zhu Yuanzhang's trip was to take revenge, and he should always deal with it carefully. After Zhu Yuanzhang greeted the abbot, he went to the Buddha statue under the leadership of the abbot to prepare to worship the Buddha. However, as the emperor, he hesitated to bow down, so he asked the abbot next to him, "Do I need to kneel?""It's a tricky and delicate question, and it's a double-edged sword.
Those present held their breath and waited for the abbot's answer. The abbot knew that Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked like this, he didn't want to kneel, but if he directly said "no need to kneel", he would be disrespectful to the Buddha and he would be punishedIf you say "kneel", it is against Zhu Yuanzhang's intentions. Thinking of the story of the monk Zanning in the first volume of "Returning to the Fields" to answer the story of Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin not to worship the Buddha, he decided to copy the answer in the book. The abbot replied, "The present Buddha does not worship the Buddha of the past. Eight words instantly dissolved the tension. Zhu Yuanzhang was very useful, and immediately put on a smiling face, forgetting about the previous revenge. Not only did he not blame the abbot, but he also generously donated to the repair of the temple and gave a large amount of materials and money to provide for the needs of the monastery. After the temple was repaired, Zhu Yuanzhang gave it the name "Dalongxing Temple".
The contest between Zhu Yuanzhang and the abbot can also be regarded as a duel of power and wisdom. As emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang has supreme power, but his revenge stems from a sensitivity to self-esteem. The abbot responded with wisdom and calmness, and defused the crisis with clever language. This story teaches us that when faced with adversity, it is important to think calmly and respond flexibly.