The monk really wanted to talk to them about Zen. He led them directly around the guest courtyard to his own residence at the back, sat down under a Bodhi tree, and invited the three of them to sit down.
There are four stone benches, just enough for each person.
After sitting down, the monk introduced himself, "I am very wise."
The three people were surprised, "You are Master Zhishen."
The most famous person in Huguo Temple is the master who presides over it, Master Zhiren. Master Zhiren has a younger brother named Zhishen, who I heard is also an accomplished monk.
The three of them stood up and bowed again. Zhishen did not expect them to bow so much, and the smiles on their faces became even bigger. After returning the bow, he asked them to sit down.
A monk came up with Zen tea and poured it for them, then bowed slightly and left.
Master Zhishen turned the Buddhist beads in his hand and saw that the three of them were all lowering their heads to sip tea. He was not in a hurry to explore the root cause. He couldn't help but raised his lips and said proactively: "Have the three donors read any Buddhist scriptures?"
Bai Shan thought for a while and then said: "We have read very few Buddhist scriptures and have only copied the Infinite Life Sutra, Vajra Prajnaparamita Sutra and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's Original Vow Sutra."
Upon hearing this, Zhishen knew that these Buddhist scriptures were probably copied for the female relatives of the family, because these three scriptures are the most commonly used scriptures for birthdays and blessings. On average, seven out of ten scriptures are dedicated to these three scriptures.
Scripture.
Zhishen smiled and asked, "Donor Bai, why don't you read the Shurangama Sutra? This is the sutra that enlightens wisdom.
This sutra is so exquisite and brilliant that only the Lotus Sutra and the Avatamsaka Sutra can be mentioned. The three benefactors are all knowledgeable and have wisdom. If they can learn these three sutras, they will be of great help to them.
My future merits and life will be greatly improved."
The three of them sighed in unison, with sorrowful expressions on their faces, "Master, instead of asking us to read it, why don't you just tell us the subtle sentences and Buddhist principles in it? If we read it, we're afraid that we won't be able to read it in the short term.
It won’t work anymore.”
Master Zhishen asked: "Why?"
"Because I'm busy!"
Man Bao said: "I have to study medical books, see doctors in the Imperial Hospital, go to classes at the Imperial Medical Office, and attend my husband's classes. I read many, many books. It is really difficult to spare time to meditate and worship Buddha."
Bai Shan also nodded, "Yes, and we think it is too early for us to worship Buddha at our age. We can do it by just meditating and reading other books."
Zhishen smiled slightly and said, "Buddha's teachings are profound and profound, and it goes beyond peace of mind. I think the three donors are very eager to learn. How about I give you these three Buddhist scriptures?"
Before they could refuse, Monk Zhishen sent someone to fetch three Buddhist scriptures for them. To their surprise, these three Buddhist scriptures were not only old versions, but also contained dense annotations in fine print.
Even if they don't believe in Buddhism, they still know how valuable such a Buddhist scripture is. The three of them looked at each other and refused.
Master Zhishen insisted, and the smile he had been wearing became much more solemn. He said: "The poor monk just wants the donors to understand the meaning of Buddhism. Once the donors understand it, they will know that I, the Buddha, can relieve people's difficulties.
It’s not a deceptive cult.”
When the three of them heard this, they realized what the reason was. They were not embarrassed at all. Man Bao even asked frankly: "Master Zhishen is now a well-known enlightened monk. How can you deal with your difficulties?"
Got it?"
Master Zhishen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head, "The mysteries of Buddhism can only be learned by poor monks, so how can they solve their difficulties?"
Man Bao nodded, "I guess so." Otherwise, why insist on letting them read the scriptures? Based on this alone, he is not only inferior to the master of Xuandu Temple, but also inferior to the master of Shouqing Temple.
Master Zhishen was stopped by her words. To be honest, he has been famous for a long time, and he has many friends and riches, but no matter what kind of situation, no one has ever said to him, "Hey, monk, I see you."
If the Dharma is not profound, it can’t even solve your own difficulties, right?”
That's right, although Zhou Man's words only have four words, they mean exactly that.
Bai Shan smiled and explained: "Master, my husband said that the Tao of the world is inexhaustible, the universe is infinite, and no one in the world can understand it."
Since they can't get to the bottom of it, there is naturally no so-called explanation that can solve the world's troubles. Just looking at the books that my father-in-law brought from the underworld, they can't even ask the questions now, let alone solve the troubles, so there is no way to achieve enlightenment.
An eminent monk, an accomplished person?
This is not only the view of Mr. Zhuang, but also the view of the three people.
But this idea would offend many people, especially those from the Buddhist and Taoist families, so the four masters and apprentices just talked to each other in their backyard.
But since it's time to talk, they don't mind expressing their opinions.
Bai Shandao: "There is too much knowledge in the world, existing and unfinished. Human lifespan, wisdom, and energy are all limited, so people should focus on it. There is endless knowledge in the world that cannot be learned or researched."
"
Zhishen understood what he meant, "The three donors are neither interested in nor understand Buddhism. How can they easily assert that Buddhism misleads people?"
Bai Shan and Man Bao couldn't help but asked, and even Bai Erlang heard his complaints. He couldn't help but said: "We haven't read the Buddhist scriptures deeply, but it doesn't mean we don't know Buddhism. We expressed our views on Buddhism, but we didn't
Forcing the world to agree."
Bai Shan glanced at Bai Erlang with disapproval. Before he could speak, Zhishen already said: "Master Zhou discusses Buddhism in the hall and asks His Majesty to take the Buddha lightly, while Your Majesty sets an example for the world. Isn't this force?"
"This is the Buddha's Tao!" Manbao emphasized: "What I'm talking about is not just the Buddha, but the Buddha and the Tao!"
Monk Zhishen:......
"There have always been hidden dangers for emperors to believe in Buddhism, which can harm the country at worst, or destroy the country at worst. I am a court official, and I eat the emperor's salary and the people's worship. Naturally, I have to consider the emperor and the people. The people are naturally free to believe, but Master
As I said before, Your Majesty sets an example for the world. Since he is an example for the world, after Buddhism and Taoism, there are hundreds of schools of thought such as Confucianism, Legalism, and Military Mo, so he should not be too biased. Among the hundreds of schools in the world, he will only favor whoever is beneficial to ruling the people.
Which one."
Man Bao looked at Zhishen who was sitting opposite and said seriously: "Among these, Buddhism is the least likely to be beneficial to ruling all peoples."
Zhishen did not expect her to talk directly about politics. Seeing how determined she was, he smiled and asked, "Why is this? The Buddha's Dharma is mysterious. If all people learn the Dharma and do good, there will be fewer disasters in the world."
Bai Shan then asked quietly: "Don't the monks in the Huguo Temple have resentment and hatred, love separation, and the five yins are blazing and unable to seek?"
Zhishen was stunned for a moment and then said: "Yes, even a poor monk cannot escape these four sufferings."
"The monks who chant sutras in the temple morning and evening can't get rid of these four sufferings, let alone all the people." Bai Shandao said: "Since we have these four sufferings, we can't get rid of birth, old age, illness and death. There are still a lot of jealousies and disputes.
The disasters in the world will not be reduced because of this."