Chapter 33 Wen Xu/The vulgar lecturer who alarmed the emperor

Wen Xu, also composed Wen Xu and Wen Shu.A famous lay monk during the Changqing period (821-824) of the Tang Dynasty. Since Buddhism was introduced to China at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, in order to attract believers, they often preached scriptures and preached Buddhism in temples.This way of preaching scriptures is very artistic. It was called "singing and guiding" in the Six Dynasties, and it evolved into "common teaching" in the Tang Dynasty.The so-called vulgar talk is to preach the principles of Buddhism and the stories of Buddhist scriptures in a popular way.When preaching, they often talk, sing, and describe performances, which are very attractive to the audience.Han Yu's verses "teach Buddhist scriptures on the east and west of the street, ring the bell and blow the snails to make trouble in the palace"; Yao He, a Tang poet, also has "on the day of the opening of the lecture, go back to the long fishing boat", "come and listen with fasting from far and near, but there are no people in the wine shop and fish market. "The verses vividly describe the prosperity of Buddhist music in the Tang Dynasty.When the lectures are held in the temple, bells and drums are struck, conch blows and whistles are played, which is very lively.There were fewer fishing boats on the river, and there were no people in the wine shops and fish markets in the market. Everyone went to the temple to listen to lectures.

Among the vulgar lecturers in the Tang Dynasty, Master Wenxu during the Changqing period was one of the best.It is said that he is good at reciting scriptures, with a melodious and melodious voice, which can move people very much. At that time, men and women, old and young, all liked to listen to his lectures and singing. Wen Xu's lecturing and singing tunes are very beautiful, and all the musicians in the teaching workshop at that time learned from him.His lectures even alarmed the emperor, and he was invited to the palace to lecture and sing from time to time.Later, he offended the dignitaries and was exiled to other places. Other monks went to the palace to give lectures, still using Wen Xu's tone.It is said that Tang Wenzong also used Wen Xu's music to write a tune, and the name of the tune was "Wen Xu Zi".