Buddha crossing a predestined person: Dharma and wisdom in life

Chapter 6 Convenience Method - Directly pointing at people's hearts, enlightenment and Buddhahood (6)
Zen Master Miaokong said: "Then you may be in the void, you can go to the void and look for it." Zen Master Wugen entered the void to search for a long time, and still said sadly: "There is no me in the void! Where am I? where?"

Zen Master Miaokong pointed to the bucket and said, "Maybe it's in the water?" Zen Master Wugen entered the water freely, and soon came out of the water sadly and said, "Where am I? There's nothing in the water either!"

Zen Master Miaokong pointed to the brazier and said, "You are inside the fire." Zen Master Wugen entered the fire, but still came out disappointed.

Only then did Zen Master Miaokong seriously say to Zen Master Wugen: "You can go into the ground, into the water, and into the raging fire, and you can go in and out of the void freely, but you still want that empty shell that is dirty and not free everywhere." What are you doing?"

After listening to Zen Master Wugen, he suddenly realized that he no longer made a fuss about looking for "I".

■Sentiment——

Every human being is composed of two parts, spirit and body.The body is just a shell, but the soul is the real self.Our body is not free because it has form and is full of desires; our soul is free because it is invisible, pure and clear.

Our souls are originally free, we can go to the sky or into the earth, we can go into the water or go through the fire.But why are we not free?Because we tend to focus on the body and forget about our soul.Like the rootless Zen master in this fable, who has been clamoring to find his own body, we are completely bound by ourselves.

don't get lost

Zen Master Jingxuan of Dayang, Hubei Province was a Zen master in the Song Dynasty. He became a monk with his uncle Zhitong. Ask what is the Wuxiang Daochang.His Zen style is easy to ask about everything. When he sees a monk relocating, he asks where he is going; when he sees a monk planting melons, he asks when the melons will be ripe.But if any Zen practitioners asked him, he would always answer with poems and verses. Not only did he have a superb Zen style, but he also had extremely high attainments in writing.

Zen Master Xianru from Luofu Mountain visited Zen Master Jingxuan of Dayang Mountain for the first time, and Zen Master Dayang asked, "Where are you from?" "Yishan." Zen Master Xianru replied.

Chan Master Dayang asked, "How far is Yishan from here?" "Five thousand miles." Chan Master Xianru replied.

Chan Master Dayang asked, "How did you get here? Have you ever stepped on the ground?" "No." Chan Master Xianru replied.

Chan Master Dayang asked: "Then you will be able to vacate?" "I will not be able to vacate." Chan Master Xianru replied.

Chan Master Dayang asked, "Then how did you get here?"

■Sentiment——

Xianru Zen Master came to Huying from five thousand miles away in Penzhou, Sichuan to visit him. The reason why he did not step on a piece of soil during the five thousand miles is because Zen has no time and space, and Zen has no distance. With the guidance of Zen mind, you will not get lost every step of the way. direction.

The Thief and the Zen Master

There is a thieves in the village at the foot of the mountain, almost every house is stolen by him, so people are always on guard against him, and it is very difficult for him to have another chance of success.Haven't stolen anything for a long time.His heart was really itchy, so he thought of the unknown Zen master who lived on the mountain.In the middle of the night, he quietly sneaked into the hut of the unknown Zen master, but he searched every corner of the house.Not even a single item of value.He was about to open the door to go out, but the Zen master who was lying on the Zen bed said: "Hey, you guy, close the door of my room by the way."

The thief said: "You monk is so lazy, no wonder you don't even have any valuables!"

The nameless Zen master said: "Could it be that my old man has worked so hard to get money so that you can steal it?
Zen master Qili's homework every night is to recite Buddhist scriptures.One night, when he was chanting sutras, a robber broke in, put a sharp knife on Qili's chest and said, "Hand over all your money! Otherwise..."

Zen Master Qili said calmly: "The money is all in the broken basket, you can get it yourself, don't disturb my old man's chanting."

Sure enough, the robber found the silver taels in the broken basket.He hastily stuffed all the silver into his pocket.At this time, Zen Master Qili, who had been concentrating on chanting sutras, said, "You must have taken all the silver, right? You don't leave me money for tomorrow's meal? You, remember, you have to keep money for everything you do. room.

Seeing that he was able to guess his behavior without looking up, the robber felt a "thump" in his heart. He really left some broken silver and slipped quietly towards the door...

"Come back!" Chan Master Qili suddenly shouted, "Could it be that you just left?"

There is no one who wants to leave the place where he just committed a crime more than a robber. If he doesn’t leave, what are you waiting for? Zen Master Qili said: “You bastard, why didn’t you even thank me for accepting a gift from my old man?”

The robber couldn't laugh or cry, and was stunned in embarrassment.He, had he ever met such a calm and funny owner? He turned his head involuntarily, and took a serious look at Zen Master Qili.He found that the Zen master had a calm demeanor, a serene face, and eyes as clear as water.The moment their eyes met, the robber felt extremely dirty.He bowed to the Zen master like a ghost, said "thank you", and ran away quickly.

A few days later, the dazed robber was caught.As one of his victims, Zen Master Qili was also brought in by the government to testify in person.However, Qili said: "I don't clear other cases, but in my case, this person did not rob. The money was given to him by me, and he has already thanked me."

A few years later, the robber was released after serving his sentence. He immediately found Zen Master Qili and became a monk.

■Sentiment——

We must be amazed at the calmness of the Zen masters in the face of thieves.why?Because Zen masters know very well in their hearts that money is something outside of the body, so let it go.But the realm of Zen masters is not limited to this. What is even more valuable to them is that they do not forget to "save people" when they lose money.This is truly great compassion, great wisdom and great wisdom.

Venerable Zibai Enlightenment

Zen master Zhenke's original name was Daguan, and his nickname was Zibai. In his later years, he changed his name to "Zhenke".According to his legendary deeds, the world thinks that he is the reappearance of the holy monk, so they call him "Zi Bai Venerable".

When Zhenke was young, he heard an unnamed Zen master reciting a gatha of Enlightenment in an ancient temple in the deep mountains: "It is also evil to cut off delusions and increase disease, and to move to the truth." The young and energetic Zhenke thought he was proficient in Buddhism, He opened his mouth and said, "Wrong, this gatha is contrary to Buddhist principles. It should be changed to 'cutting off delusions is the only way to have no disease, and moving to the truth is not evil'."

"You're wrong, he's not bad!" The nameless Zen monk smiled enigmatically, and walked away dismissively.

It was just a faint smile, but it became a truly unforgettable memory.Although the nameless Zen monk disappeared without a trace like a yellow crane, he left a huge mystery to Zhenke.

He couldn't figure it out: Buddhism is supposed to get rid of delusions, so why is it "reincreasing disease"? Truthfulness is the Buddha's nature and enlightenment. Is it true that it is also evil"?
It is really possible to copy these two gatha lines on the wall of the hut (monk's room), and to study them day and night without sleep or food.After a fast, he was so dazed that he forgot to put down the earthen bowl, and he didn't realize his absurdity until his wrist became sore.From this, he suddenly realized!
After eating, it is a burden to still hold the rice bowl! Similarly, delusion is empty, and deliberately cutting off the thoughts of delusion is also delusion; the Zen mind is empty, as if invisible, deliberately persistent, that is perverted, that is, evil way!

I can really say with infinite emotion: "Zen is so common! If I were under the seat of Linji and Deshan masters in ancient times, I could wake up with just a slap of the palm, so why be so entangled!
■Sentiment——

Just as failure is the mother of success, delusion is the root of enlightenment. Without delusion and confusion, how can enlightenment come?Cutting off delusions also cuts off the root of enlightenment. Deliberately cutting off delusions is itself a kind of delusions, so it is said that "cutting off delusions will increase the disease."Similarly, evil spirits and truth are two sides of one body, therefore, of course, moving towards truth is also moving towards evil spirits, so it is said that "moving towards truth is also evil".Zen should let go of the attachment of "cutting off delusions and moving towards the truth" and replace it with an ordinary mind that is ethereal and invisible. This is the Buddha-nature and the truth.

Spotless

One year, I really came to Mount Wutai.On an inaccessible cliff, an old monk who was too old to tell his age was sitting alone.It is really possible to let go of the worship tools and bow down according to the rules of the sect.However, the old monk didn't open his eyes and ignored him.Although he was left out in the cold, he really didn't leave in a hurry, and he still piously put his palms together to ask for advice: "How about when a thought has not yet arisen?"

The old monk stretched out a finger.

What a "one-finger Zen"!
Zhen Ke asked: "What happens after birth?"

The old monk spread his hands.It was as if a Zen door really opened.

I don't know how long it has passed, maybe it was a year, maybe it was just a moment, but I really woke up from the ethereal state, and when I looked back suddenly, the old monk had disappeared like a yellow crane.

In the first year of Wanli, Zhenke came to Beijing to pay homage to the Buddhist master Longxiang Bianrong at that time.According to legend, Master Bianrong is the incarnation of Maitreya, and three of the four great monks in the late Ming Dynasty were influenced and tempered by him.When I really came to the abbot, I saw Master Panrong sitting on the kang, as majestic as a Dharma king sitting on a lion seat.After he respectfully saluted, before he could stand upright, Pan Rong asked, "Who are you?"

Zhen Ke replied that he was a poor young man in the south of the Yangtze River.Bian Rong then asked him what he was doing in the capital? He said that he was studying scriptures and theories with eminent monks.Master Bian Rong said calmly, "You should teach the Dharma quietly."

Really keenly felt the Zen mechanism from it, and he said sharply: "I was spotless in the first place!"

Bian Rong suddenly jumped down from the kang, grabbed Zhenke's monk's robe, and shouted: "It's said to be spotless, so what is this good clothes?" The old man pointed to the monk next to him and said, "The clothes should be donated to others." he!"

Zhenke's mind went blank, and he mechanically took off the monk's robe.Seeing that he was still wearing underwear, Bian Rong pointed at his body and laughed loudly, "It's been layered off!"

Hearing these words was like thunder! After the explosion, he felt the skin on his body fall off, and saw his true face.

■Sentiment——

Zen Buddhism talks about "If you don't establish words, you can teach others to pass on." Therefore, when Zhenke asked the old monk of Wutai Mountain for advice, the old monk just used "one-finger Zen" and other forms to let Zhenke realize it by himself.When seeing Master Bianrong, he could really say that he is "spotless", which is suspected of being "attached to emptiness". Even being attached to "emptiness" is also a demon. Master Bianrong took off his clothes to let him let go of this attachment.Only when there is no attachment is there a "pure way of teaching".

come and go freely
In the 31st year of Wanli, Master Deqing was falsely imprisoned and sent to Lingnan for "privately building a temple".It is really possible to travel both starry night and starry night, travel thousands of miles to Jinling, and meet Deqing at Jiangzhonglv Po'an.Here, I can really swear to the sky: "If Lao Han (referring to Han Shan Deqing) does not return, I will suffer a great loss for the third life; if the mining tax does not stop, I will suffer a great loss for saving the world; Big loss!"

From then on, Zhenke resolutely re-entered Beijing in order to abolish Hanshan's virtue and to abolish the mining tax that the imperial court cheated the people.He clearly knew that this trip would be tantamount to going through fire and water, and he might lose his life because of it, but he held the belief of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva "I don't go to hell, whoever goes to hell" and went without hesitation.

The reason why Deqing was in an unjust prison was the court battle between the emperor and the empress dowager. How could the iron case appointed by Ming Shenzong be easily overturned?And the mine tax that traps the people is Shenzong's "masterpiece". How can he be allowed to be a monk? Ming Shenzong has not been in court for decades, military affairs, economics, and officials, no matter how big or small, are ignored. Taxes are the most enthusiastic.It is true that this eminent monk who is quite influential among the people, appealed in the capital to save Deqing and abolish the mining tax, which angered the emperor and other vested interests.

When the disciples heard the wind, they wept and knelt down begging Zhenke to leave quickly.It is true to say: "When I cut off my hair, I already had my head cut off. How can I cut off my head today!"

Finally, in the 31st year of Wanli, Master Zhenke was framed and imprisoned.Facing the torture, Master Zhenke was like a spring breeze blowing on his face. Instead of crying and begging for mercy, Master Zhenke talked and laughed happily, explaining the Dharma to the people around him calmly. The "Wuanzhong Quotations" included at the beginning of the volume of "The Complete Works of Venerable Zibai" is a record of his teachings to the censor Cao Xuecheng during his torture.

Only 15 days after his arrest, Master Zhenke was convicted.He knew that the deacon wanted to put himself to death, and sighed: "The world is like this, so why live for a long time?" He wrote nine gatha, one of which was:
There is a reason for a smile, but I don't know that there is no room for dust.

From then on, tidy up the mother's feet, and the iron prong flowers will not wait for spring.

The verse revealed the news of his intention to die.Sure enough, on December [-]th, he bathed and changed his clothes, chanted a few Buddha's mantras, crossed his legs, and passed away gracefully.Cao Xuecheng rushed over upon hearing the news and shouted, "Good job!"

Master Zhenke, who had been dead for a long time, opened his eyes again, and said goodbye with a smile.What's even more amazing is that in the second year after Master Zhenke's body was buried, there was a flood in the suburbs of Beijing, and his grave was soaked by the flood for one summer and one autumn.The disciples were worried that his body would be corrupted by water, so when they opened the coffin, his body sat upright as if it was alive.

■Sentiment——

Look at the world of mortals with cold eyes, and be enthusiastic about saving sentient beings.

This is the spirit of Zen.Although Zen Master Zhenke saw through the world of mortals and transcended life and death, and did not need to run around for a living like ordinary people, he did not regard his own personal liberation as the ultimate goal, but took it as his duty to free all living beings from the sea of ​​suffering.Therefore, he can put life and death aside, run for Zen, and call out for the people.

Be sure of yourself first
When Zen Master Tanzhou Huilang first visited Zen Master Mazu, Zen Master Mazu asked, "What are you asking for?"

Zen Master Huilang said, "Seek the Buddha's knowledge."

Zen master Mazu said: "Buddha has surpassed knowledge and vision, and knowledge and vision are demons."

Huilang listened and worshiped respectfully.

Zen Master Mazu asked again, "Where do you come from?"

Huilang replied, "I come from Nanyue!"

It means that he came from Zen master Shitou Xiqian in Nanyue, Hunan.At that time, Zen master Mazu Daoyi was in Jiangxi to promote Zen, and Zen master Shitou Xiqian was in Hunan to clarify his heart. Therefore, scholars at that time either asked Master Ma in Jiangxi, or asked monk Shitou in Hunan. The phrase "jianghu" has been used to this day.

Matsu instructed unceremoniously: "You came from Nanyue, you have failed Shitou's mercy, you should go back quickly, other places are not suitable for you!"

Huilang then went back to Zen Master Shitou and asked for instructions, "What is Zen?"

Zen Master Shitou replied, "You don't have Zen nature."

Zen Master Huilang asked suspiciously: "Still moving with spirit, ants and flies all have Zen nature, why don't I have Zen nature?"

Zen Master Shitou said, "Because you are not an ant, an ant, or a fly."

Zen Master Huilang said: "Isn't Huilang not as good as ants and flies?"

Zen Master Shitou said: "Because you are unwilling to bear it!"

Huilang finally realized his enlightenment.

■Sentiment——

Buddha cannot be sought, the more one seeks, the more unobtainable it becomes.Huilang is like those who run back and forth on the "river and lake", seeking Taoism everywhere, but getting nothing.Therefore, Shitou taught him that "there is no Zen."In fact, it’s not that Huilang doesn’t have Zen nature. Everyone has Zen nature. It’s just that we are unwilling to search for it inwardly. Instead, we always hope to let some “eminent monk” help us to save us. This is what Shitou said about “refusing to bear”.

(End of this chapter)