"What is our purpose in embrace a religion? It's none other than to abandon all evil and take a clean path in our lives. We can start a new life, experiencing a clean path by leaving behind all the filth of our past actions! These filthy actions include those based on lust, including hatred. Currently, two religious groups are hostile and hate each other. Doesn't this mean that we are not abandoning a dirty path, but rather leaving a new, clean path and returning to a dirty one?"
"Perhaps we don't realize this, considering that what we are doing is right, with reasons and defenses to justify this wrong, to cleanse this filth. However, it is clear that hatred and hostility are dirty, a wrong paths. We, in the heat of selfish desires that extend to group interests, religious interests, and so on, become blind and forget that the core teachings of our respective religions are to seek peace and abandon all forms of conflict!"
"And we, with our lust, even drag religion into hatred and hostility. This is what we need to realize. We must open our eyes to reality and dare to see our own faults, instead of always looking for others' faults and finding other's fault. What do you think, White Clothed Taoist?"
"Sadhu! My fellow Tao believers, have you heard all the truths that came out of BlackFaced Monk's mouth just now?"
"If you have heard and understood, put them into action! Abandon all disputes and hostility, eliminate hatred from your hearts, and if you have problems with others, negotiate them peacefully, through deliberation, as religious people who adhere to their religious teachings should do!"
After saying this to the taoist monk behind him, White Clothed Taoist then turned to the black-faced monk again and said, "BlackFaced Monk, all your explanations about stupid fanaticism are absolutely correct. Pin-tao also saw this truth. Unfortunately, we have another disease: besides bigotry, we also have hypocrisy. We are hypocrites! This, too, is a great folly, because we are unaware that we are hypocrites, always pretending, with no unity between our words, thoughts, and actions! We cover up our filth in various ways. We cover up our bodily filth with clean clothes, and our actions are covered with clean excuses, for this or that."
"A wise person will not allow narrow-mindedness to control him, nor will we allow the ego to run rampant, because as long as the ego is rampant, all actions will be motivated by self-interest. This ego can grow into mine, my family, my group, my nation, my religion, and so on. A wise person will always be wary of the ego within himself, because the thoughts and desires that create the ego are the only dangerous enemies in his life. Isn't that the case, my friend BlackFaced Monk?"
"Amitabha...!" Hearing you speak is like hearing our own conscience speak, my friend White Clothed Taoist."
The black-faced old man then turned to the Shaolin disciples.
"My brothers from Shaolin Sect, were you hear the words that came out of White Clothed Taoist's mouth just now? We must realize that as long as we allow the ego to run rampant, our lives will be full of desires. If we pursue the desires of the ego within each of us, there will be a clash between the conflicting desires. And this clash gives rise to hostility, resentment, and hatred."
"Are you, as followers of Buddhism, who guide us toward the path of light and compassion, willing to allow yourself to be smeared with the dirt of hatred, resentment, and hostility?"
Thian Gi Monk and the Shaolin Sect monks were shocked and shook their heads. The conversation between the two powerful figures awakened their awareness, which had been blinded by the lust of anger and revenge.
"The two elders have awakened our conscience," said Thian Gi Monk, his voice loud and firm, befitting his tall, imposing frame.
"We realize our mistake and from now on will strive to return to the bright, righteous path. However, Elders should see the reality that the Shaolin disciples are following their inner voice to defend the common people oppressed by forced labor, resulting in many victims. Do Elders think that we should simply stand idly by and watch as the common people, already struggling in their lives, are now being exploited, oppressed, and made victims of the authorities' cruelty? Isn't watching others suffer and standing idly by amidst the suffering a grave sin? Especially for a warrior, is he worthy of being called a warrior if he doesn't step in and help?"
Hearing the deputy head of Shaolin Sect's statement, the Shaolin disciples nodded in agreement, as they themselves became confused and doubtful about the reality. Suddenly, the long-bearded taosit monk, skilled with the sword, who had been a formidable opponent for Thian Gi Monk, also exclaimed loudly.
"Sadhu, it's not Pin-tao's intention to contradict anyone. Pin-tao and the disciples also understand the truths spoken by the two elders, however, there's another reality that confuses us. After all, we are all citizens of a nation, and a nation has a government that deserves to be obeyed and defended. Without a government, the lives of the common people would be thrown into chaos and destruction, with no order left. And we see how the government's efforts to dig a canal connecting Yellow River and Yangtse River are a very good undertaking, even though it's a huge undertaking that's incredibly difficult and arduous. Once that effort is completed, the people will be the ones to enjoy the results."
"Furthermore, we see how some groups oppose the government's policies. As good citizens, we certainly won't let this happen. We will rise up to help the government and oppose those who would obstruct this great undertaking. Well, that's the situation, which is why clashes have arisen. So, what should we do? I hope elders will give us some guidance."
BlackFaced Monk and White Clothed Taoist looked at each other, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"White Clothed Taoist, do you see the funny in this?" asked BlackFaced Monk.
The old Taoist monk nodded.
"Yes, I see it. The same, but not similar, similar, but not the same!"
"Ha-ha-ha, it's funny. This is what happens when people become blinded by the glitter of goals. All goals are good, all ideals are good, of course. How can there be bad ideals? But people pay too much attention and prioritize their goals that they lose sight of whether the implementation of those goals is right or not!"
"The buddhist monks aim to protect the people, while the taoist monk also want to defend the government for the good of the people! Both clearly have good goals. But why are they enemies even though they have the same goal, namely, for the good of the people? Because their methods for achieving that goal are different, even contradictory! You might forget that what's most important is not the goal, but the method, the implementation!"
"This implementation is action, this is life, while ideals and goals are merely fantasies. What should be considered is precisely this implementation, precisely the method that gives birth to this action. No matter how noble the goal is, if it is carried out incorrectly, it will ultimately produce something incorrect! Now that you see that your goals are the same, why not also find similarities in the methods of carrying them out?
Both parties listening became interested and their awareness was further awakened.
"Sadhu... indeed, BlackFaced Monk only has a face, only his skin is black! But what a pure whiteness he has inside! Now, you have all heard and pin-tao will be surprised if your inner eyes haven't yet been opened. The inner eye can only be opened when the mind itself is free from all forms of impurities, and the mind is clean and free when there is no longer any prominence of ego with all its grudges, hatred, envy, disappointment, hopes for power, and all kinds of selfish interests. Let us, from this moment on, cast away all feelings of grudges and hatred, as if they had died and we were living anew with all purity and inner freedom!"
Now everyone from both sides rose and approached each other. Without further instruction, they spontaneously saluted each other, forgave each other, and admitted their mistakes, initiate by the Thian Gi Monk and the bearded taoist monk who had been their opponent. Seeing this, White Clothed Taoist and BlackFaced Monk were overjoyed, and they both took turns giving sermons to the more than thirty people.