Chapter 10 Chapter 9 "Behind the Scenes"

After "Difficulty in Seeking Knowledge" was published, it caused a "chain reaction"—another new work by Chen Boda was also published.This time, Chen Boda didn't know anything about it beforehand, just like when he published "Seeking Knowledge is Difficult". This time, it was neither Zhou Yang nor Li Shu who recommended the publication of Chen Boda's new work, but Hu Qiaomu, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee!Hu Qiaomu carefully read Chen Boda's new works, and thought that the article "The Gradual Change and Sudden Change of Cognition --- Seeing the Two Schools of Sudden and Gradient in Chinese Buddhism from the "Tanjing"" was quite innovative and suitable for public publication.So, I wrote a paragraph of instructions, to the effect that this article can be considered for publication in party publications in other places, but it should be kept secret (including to the author).

According to this instruction, Chen Boda's article was later published in the second issue of "Theory and Practice", an inner-party publication of the Liaoning Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, published in July 1983, signed by "Cheng Shu". Because of following Hu Qiaomu's instructions and paying attention to secrecy, it was not learned of by Hong Kong reporters until 1988, five years later, and it was disclosed in Hong Kong as "big behind-the-scenes news in mainland China", saying that Chen Boda actually published the article publicly, etc. I mentioned the article "The Gradual Change and Sudden Change of Understanding——A Look at the Sudden and Gradient Schools in Chinese Buddhism from the "Tan Sutra".However, the influence of the "Dushu" magazine is greater than that of the "Theory and Practice" magazine, and the Hong Kong reporter did not mention the article "Seeking Knowledge is Difficult".Of course, this is due to the fact that the "Secret" work of "Reading" magazine has been done better, and the Hong Kong reporter did not know about it.

At the time of writing the first edition of this book—1988-1989, The Difficulty of Knowledge and Gradual and Sudden Changes in Knowledge— ——Looking at the Two Schools of Sudden and Gradual Buddhism in China from the "Tanjing" The inside story of the publication of the two articles, as well as the contacts between Zhou Yang and Chen Boda, are still in the scope of confidentiality, and it is inconvenient to disclose.Now, a full 10 years have passed, and it is time for public disclosure, so the revised version of this book has been added. Compared with "The Difficulty of Seeking Knowledge", "The Gradual Change and Sudden Change of Knowledge——A Look at the Sudden and Gradient Schools in Chinese Buddhism from the Platform Sutra" is more academic.Chen Boda analyzed the two schools of Sudden and Gradient in Chinese Buddhism from a new perspective.From this article, we can not only see Chen Boda's extensive knowledge and academic attainments, but also understand Chen Boda's thoughts in his later years.

On April 23, 1982, when Zhou Yang talked with Chen Boda, a few sentences revealed extremely important information: "This time when discussing the resolution on historical issues, several comrades spoke for you, and I also said a few words, but it was mainly those comrades who spoke. Now a distinction has been made, and some preferential treatment is given to you." The "resolution on historical issues" mentioned by Zhou Yang refers to the "Resolution on Certain Historical Issues Concerning the Party Since the Founding of the People's Republic" passed by the Sixth Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Party.

Zhou Yang said that when discussing this important resolution, "several comrades spoke for you, and I also said a few words, but mainly those comrades spoke", but did not specify the "speaking for Chen Boda". There are a few comrades", which comrades are they? Zhou Yang said, "Now we have adopted a distinction and give you some preferential treatment", but he did not specify what the "distinction" was and what the "preferential treatment" was. In the "Resolution on Several Historical Issues Concerning the Party Since the Founding of the People's Republic of China", there is a sentence in particular: "Lin Biao, Jiang Qing, Kang Sheng, Zhang Chunqiao and others mainly use the name of the so-called 'Central Cultural Revolution Group'..." Here, Lin Biao and "Central The names of Jiang Qing, the first deputy group of the "Central Cultural Revolution Group", Kang Sheng, the adviser of the "Central Cultural Revolution Group", and Zhang Chunqiao, the deputy head of the "Central Cultural Revolution Group" were not mentioned, but Chen Boda, the head of the "Central Cultural Revolution Group", was not mentioned. This is obviously not an oversight.

Chen Boda committed serious crimes during the "Cultural Revolution", and was one of the 16 main criminals of the "Lin Biao and Jiang Qing counter-revolutionary clique". This is based on the verdict of the special court of the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China, and Chen Boda himself admitted these crimes . That is to say, on the one hand, Chen Boda is one of the 16 principal offenders of the "Lin Biao and Jiang Qing counter-revolutionary clique"; the difference. One of Mao Zedong's famous sayings can be used here: "If there is no distinction, there will be no party policy."

It wasn't until Zhou Yang gave Chen Boda a brief explanation that Chen Boda understood what was going on. In the conversation with Zhou Yang, Chen Boda once said: "Then I can mention it to the superiors and give you articles related to literature and art." Who is the "above" that Chen Boda refers to?Why is it that Chen Boda's new works are not handed over directly to Zhou Yang by Chen Boda, but instead handed over to Zhou Yang by "above"? Earlier in this chapter, it was written that: "Some of his manuscripts were sent up and received attention from the relevant central departments. They were typed and distributed within a certain range. These printed articles, except for the name of the author Chen Boda, did not indicate which unit printed them. The number of prints and the scope of distribution are also not indicated. However, the printing is made of high-quality Daolin paper 16K, and the large characters are typesetting in imitation of Song Dynasty. It can be seen that it is not printed by ordinary institutions, but distributed at a very high political level. "

The format of this printed matter is very similar to the documents of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, except that there is no "red head".It can be said that this is a "headless file"!It goes without saying that these "headless documents" were printed in the printing factory that printed the documents of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.The author asked Wang Li to understand the inside story: It is said that this was initiated by Deng Xiaoping.In the Mao Zedong era, those who were knocked down could only stay there and write their confessions.Deng Xiaoping believed that those high-level political figures who were overthrown had rich political experience, and it was worth fully mobilizing their enthusiasm.Especially after these people were knocked down, they became pure bystanders.As the saying goes: "The authorities are obsessed, but the bystanders are clear."

Bystanders have the advantage of being objective and sober.Deng Xiaoping encouraged these people to write articles for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and they can talk about anything. If the articles are of reference value, they will be printed as "headless documents" and distributed among high-level and small groups. Both Chen Boda and Wang Li became active contributors to this "headless document".There is the article, too, and it is copied with a copier and distributes in high-rises.Chen Boda's "The Difficulty of Seeking Knowledge", "The Gradual Change and Sudden Change of Knowledge——A Look at the Two Schools of Sudden and Gradual Buddhism in Chinese Buddhism from the Platform Sutra", etc., were sent to the "upper" and were originally copied and distributed on the "upper".In the early days of Chen Boda's bail, he had a direct channel to communicate with Hu Yaobang, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.Chen Boda's manuscript was copied in multiple copies and sent directly to Hu Yaobang, Hu Qiaomu and relevant personnel of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.Hu Yaobang read Chen Boda's manuscript and pointed out:

"Chen Boda should stop writing reading notes all the time. You can write something that can educate future generations on some major issues in modern Chinese history." Approved Chen Boda's "Gradual Changes and Sudden Changes in Knowledge——"The Platform Sutra"Looking at Chinese Buddhism The article "The Two Schools of Sudden and Gradient" is also written by Hu Yaobang.Hu Qiaomu also read this article. Hu Yaobang also gave instructions on Chen Boda's life and medical treatment in his later years. As far as personal relationship is concerned, Chen Boda did not have a close relationship with Hu Yaobang when he was in a high position in the past.However, Hu Yaobang persisted in treating all people and things with a realistic attitude. Even for people like Chen Boda who had been completely defeated, he still calmly analyzed them from a comprehensive historical perspective and made proper handling.

Chen Xiaonong, the son of Chen Boda, quoted a sentence from one of his friends, commenting on Hu Yaobang as follows: "Hu Yaobang is a senior CCP leader who still regards Chen Boda as a human being even after Chen Boda has been pushed into a desperate situation."