Dear monks and lay Buddhists:
The weather is very hot, thank you very much for still being so enthusiastic about listening.Yesterday I explained the relationship between Buddhism and life from three aspects: the space of life, the time of life, and the world of life;Today, let me explain the relationship between Buddhism and life from three aspects: material life, Buddhist life in life, and Buddhist spiritual life.
First, the material life of Buddhism-the Dharma of food, clothing, housing and transportation
(one )Viewing life of food, clothing, housing and transportation from the Amitabha Sutra
Most people think that Buddhism says that the four elements are empty, and they should only pay attention to spiritual life, not material life.Therefore, some people, if you advise them to believe in Buddhism, they will retreat. They think that if they believe in Buddhism, they cannot wear good clothes, eat good things, and even live in high-rise buildings and villas. They must endure hardships. To endure hardships means to believe in Buddhism. Why should I seek hardships?In fact, Buddhism has many natures. It is often impossible to gain the belief of the general public when emphasizing this way of life that focuses on suffering, emptiness and impermanence.Now, based on the "Amitabha Sutra", I will introduce to you the situation where Buddhism attaches importance to material life.
《The Amitabha Sutra is the most familiar sutra to everyone.The scriptures describe the situation in the Pure Land, especially in material life, which is so abundant and rich, for example, the land is 'golden land';The house is a "Seven Treasures Pavilion", which also has seven layers of railings, seven layers of scrolls, and seven layers of scroll trees, all of which are four treasures, surrounded by them;There is another seven treasure pool, with pure golden sand at the bottom of the pool;The four-sided path is also composed of gold, silver, glass, etc.;The clothes worn are the so-called "thinking clothes and getting clothes";The food you eat is 'thinking to eat';The means of transportation is 'free flight'.From this we can see that the material life in the Pure Land is so rich.
From the material life in the Pure Land, we can know that believing in Buddhism does not necessarily mean suffering.fromPure Land DharmaFrom a perspective, Buddhism is a kind of "happiness" religion, and you can gain happiness and happiness by believing in Buddhism.As for the "suffering", it is undeniable that Buddhism often talks about suffering, the so-called "three sufferings, four sufferings, eight sufferings, and infinite sufferings. In fact, Buddhism talks about the causes of suffering, which only means that "suffering is the superior cause of entering the Tao". It does not mean that the purpose of believing in Buddhism is to suffer, nor does it mean that only suffering can one be liberated.
The material life of Buddhism teaches people not to be particularly 'hard', because a life that is too bitter is like a dead tree.However, it is not keen on material pursuits, because "it is hard to fill in a ship". If you have a villa, you still need a car;With TV, you still need air conditioning and are eager to enjoy material things all day long. Wouldn't you become a prisoner of material desires? What kind of Dharma joy can you say about?Therefore, the two extreme lives of "too bitter" and "never joy" are not the lives required by Buddhism.Although the Amitabha Sutra talks about rich material life, it is necessary to practice Buddhism in material life;The Diamond Sutra talks about the principle that "we should give up everything and give birth to our minds without dwelling on it." It does not mean that we should give up everything, but emphasizes a middle way of Buddhism.From this we can see that the middle way of life between suffering and happiness is the true Buddhist life.
(two )From the Five Vehicles Buddhism, life of food, clothing, housing and transportation
The so-called five vehicles are humans, heavens, shravakas, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas. This isLearn Buddhismfive levels of rank.In the Dharma of the human and heavenly vehicle, Buddhism attaches great importance to material life;In the stages of the Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas, spiritual life is more important.The object of the human and heavenly vehicle refers to the lay people;The objects of the Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas point to the masses of families.Nowadays, ordinary people who spread the Dharma often have a mistakeConcept，It means that the requirements for the Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas are often used to demand the masses of humans and heavenly beings.for examplevegetarian diet、Ascetic practice is the Śrāvakas and PratyekabuddhasPracticeLifestyle, if these Buddhist teachings are used to demand the life of the family, it seems inappropriate.
In addition, in Buddhism, "the mind is to develop three kinds of minds": 1. Augmentation of mind can bring about the consequences of human and heavenly retribution;2.Renunciation，It can attract the retribution of the Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas;3.BodhiThe mind can bring about the rewards of Bodhisattvas.In this, the human and heavenly retribution that is inspired by the mind is generated, and the material life does not adopt a negative attitude, such as "fruit and fame". The Buddhist teachings of the human and heavenly vehicle do not prohibit pursuit, and even the higher the better;'Wealth', gold is not a poisonous snake, and the more you have, the better.In the Buddhism of the human and heavenly vehicle, fame and fortune are not regarded as absolutely terrible things. However, when you seek fame and fortune, you must use reasonable methods to achieve fame and fortune, and use them well to benefit the world.
People in the world, as their roots are different, there is a kind of person who is not interested in fame, wealth and honor. They want to give up fame, wealth and honor and seek the Dharma with one mind. This kind of person is close to the roots of the shravakas and pratyekabuddhas, and they have the desire to renunciate, and can abandon the world and become monks.Otherwise, even if you have shaved your hair and dyed your clothes in Buddhism and appear to be a monk, you have no idea of giving up the worldly glory and wealth, which cannot be considered a true correspondence with the method of becoming a monk.
If, according to the Buddhist aspiration, lay Buddhists who have a higher mind seek fame and fortune in society and live a moral life of their wives and children, this is allowed by Buddhism, and there is no need to feel ashamed or sinful at all;What is important is that no matter how you pursue fame, fortune and honor, you should not commit crimes or commit crimes, and you should not commit adultery. Within the scope of normal secular life, you will not violate Buddhism.
At present, some great masters who spread the Dharma in Buddhism often use the practice standards of monks to require some lay Buddhist believers.For example: ask them to let go of their fame and fortune, and tell them that fame and fortune are like poisonous snakes, and they are suffering, empty and impermanent;Ask them to let go of their wives and children and tell them that their wives and children are enemies and are debt collectors.This way of upgrading is wrong!Not incompatibleAll living beingsNo wonder some people who do not understand Buddhism will avoid it when they hear that they want to believe in Buddhism.
(three )Looking at food, clothing, housing and transportation from daily life
Food, clothing, housing and transportation are indispensable in daily life. Even if you become the Buddha's Buddha, you cannot live without the life of food, clothing, housing and transportation.However, although the Buddha is no different from the lives of the general public in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation, it has completely different meanings.The Diamond Sutra says: "At that time, the Buddha was wearing clothes and holding bowls when he was eating, and went to the Great City of Shrine to beg for food.He begged in the city in sequence, and returned to the original place. After the meal, he collected his robes and bowls, washed his feet, and sat down with his seat.'This passage describes the Buddha's daily life. At first glance, it is exactly the same as that of ordinary people. However, if we experience it deeply, we can find that these ordinary lifestyles contain extraordinary subtleties.
‘Wearing clothes and holding bowls while eating, symbolizing the Buddha's life of keeping precepts;'Entering the Great City of Shweh to beg for food' is to offer to believers'Give’，Buddha gives alms to the offerings;'Begging in sequence' is a manifestation of 'forbearance', because the Buddha begged for food in order, and goes door to door. He does not want to be close to the near and far because a certain street has good offerings, but begs with the circumstances. Even if the food he begs is coarse and difficult to swallow, he must be patient. This is the paramita of forbearance that the Buddha practices;When you come back from begging for food, you will return to your place, collect your robe and bowl, wash your feet, and sit on your seat, which means the Buddha's "diligence" paramita.In the daily life of the Buddha, dressing, eating, walking, and sitting in meditation, isn’t that Buddhism?
From the above situation, we can understand that in the daily life of the Buddha, we are practicing giving, keeping precepts, forbearance, and diligence.MeditationofPrajnaLife can also be said to be a kind ofSix degreeslife.
There was a Zen Master Zhaozhou in the Tang Dynasty. Someone visited him and said, "Zen Master!"Please teach the Dharma.'Zhaozhou replied: 'Go to have a meal!'After a while, someone came to ask for instructions on Buddhism, and the Zen master said: 'Go to wash dishes!'Wait a minute, another person came in and said to the Zen master: 'Please give me instructions on the supreme and wonderful way.'The Zen master replied again: 'Sweep the floor!'Eating, washing dishes, and sweeping the floor are trivial matters in daily life, but where is Buddhism?Buddhism is in daily life.Most people do not understand it, and often ignore the Buddhist teachings that are close to us, and go all the way outside to pursue them.In history, many Zen masters became enlightened by occasional collisions while eating, cleaning and farming.Some people can even be enlightened by hearing the sound of wind blowing bamboo or the crying of children next door.Therefore, when we practice Buddhism, we must explore the Sutra and visit good teachers, but we cannot forget that in our daily lives, there is Buddhism everywhere, eating, dressing, and sleeping. I hope everyone can experience it now.
Everybody is inevitable for daily life such as food, clothing, housing and transportation. So, how can we understand Buddhism from food, clothing, housing and transportation?
Let’s talk about ‘dressing’ first. Most people attach great importance to the gorgeous clothes. Take a look at the ready-to-wear department of a department store. It is colorful and colorful, and it is extremely luxurious. However, these can only decorate a person’s appearance.The appearance is false and untrue, and the so-called "gold and jade outside" is the truth.Even if a person is wearing silk and silk, his heart is full of greed, anger, and ignorance. Such a person is just a manifestation of his falsehood.Buddhism teaches people not to pay attention to the decoration of appearance, but to pay attention to the fulfillment of the inner. A person who is full of compassion and morality in his heart will not reduce the respect of others even if he only has a coarse cloth coat on his body;Because the inner beauty is like the orchid in the valley, it is filled with fragrance, making people feel happy.Therefore, a Buddhist scholar does not need to pay attention to his appearance or to decorate himself with gorgeous clothes. He must focus on inner cultivation and solemn himself with noble temperament and moral cultivation.
As for eating, what if a Buddhist practitioner wants to eat delicacies?Or just eat vegetables and radishes?Buddhism once said that the human body is a prosthesis of the combination of the four elements and there is no real self to obtain.However, if we want to practice, we must borrow this falsely combined physical body, because once we lose our body, there is no practice. Therefore, even if it is a falsely combined body, we still need to nourish it, which is called "cultivating the truth through false".
After we know the principle of "cultivating the truth through falsehood", we should know that we don't have to care about the quality of the food we eat.VisualizeThe 'good medicine for the body is to cure the body' in the middle, which means that diet is like a drug, just to nourish the physical body. Can a patient still care about the sweetness and bitterness of the medicine?In the Buddha's age, it was stipulated that disciples beg for food without other food. This is the reason.
Once, the famous educator Mr. Xia Yizun saw that Master Hongyi, the great master of the Vinaya School, had only one alkaline dish for dinner, and couldn't bear to say, 'Don't you think this alkaline dish is too alkaline?'Master Hongyi replied: 'Alkali has a smell of alkali!'After a while, after the master had eaten, he held a cup of boiling water in his hand. Mr. Xia frowned again and said, 'Don't even have to eat tea?How to eat this light boiled water?'Master Hongyi smiled and said: 'Although the boiling water is light, it also has a light taste.'
‘Alkaline has a alkaline taste, a light taste', what a Buddhist saying!Master Hongyi applied Buddhism to his daily life, and he could be said to have truly experienced the life of "Zen joy for food".
Secondly, when it comes to "living", some people live in high-rise villas, some live in illegal buildings, and some live in thatched huts. What attitude should we Buddhists have towards "living"?As the saying goes, "As soon as the solar eclipse is full, a bed will be sleeping at night."'Whether it is a high-rise villa or a thatched hut, lying down alone is only three feet wide and six feet long, so why bother to worry about living in life?
Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding monarch of the Ming Dynasty, worked as a novice monk at Huangjue Temple when he was a child.According to legend, once Zhu Yuanzhang went out and it was late at night when he returned to the temple. The gate of the temple was closed, so he had to sleep on the ground outside the temple.When he lay on the ground and looked at the night sky full of stars, he recited a poem:
‘The sky is the tent and the ground is the felt, and the sun, moon, stars accompany me to sleep;I dare not stretch my feet long at night, for fear of stepping through the sky under the sea.'
Although Zhu Yuanzhang was a little novice monk at that time, we can see his broad mind from this poem.I use the sky as the tent and the earth as the felt. The sun, moon and stars accompany me to sleep peacefully. I dare not stretch my feet at night because I am afraid of breaking through the sky at the bottom of the sea.What a free and transcendent state, its spirit is really extraordinary.
From this we can see that the fact that a person should live in does not depend on the size of the place, but mainly on the broadness of his personal mind.Zhu Yuanzhang, who was as broad as a novice monk, lying on the ground, felt that the Dharma Realm was in my mind;If a person with a narrow mind and dissatisfied with reality, even if he lives in a skyscraper, he will feel that everything is unsatisfactory.Therefore, a Buddhist should first expand his mind and apply Buddhism to life. No matter whether you live in a tall building or thatched hut, you will feel satisfied and have a happy life every hour and every place.
A person has a broad mind and everything goes well. No matter where he goes, he feels that the world is beautiful.Master Cihang's suicide note said: 'As long as you are conscious and at ease, it will be good both east, west, south and north.'Since that's the case, where can we not settle down in the universe?Let us mention the issue of "action". The so-called "the mind is in harmony with each other" and you can naturally travel around the universe of the Dharma Realm by taking advantage of your "true heart".In the past, when there were bicycles, people thought that bicycles were much faster than walking;However, when cars are running on the road, people think that the bicycle is too slow;When the plane was flying in the sky, everyone thought the car was not fast enough.Which means of transportation in the world is absolutely fast?That's our heart.'The Amitabha Sutra says: 'From the West, after ten trillion Buddha lands, there is a world called Pure Land.'How can we go to a world that is far away from ten trillion Buddha lands?'In one thought, one will be reborn.'In a moment, our mind can reach the Pure Land, which shows how incredible the wonderful use of the mind is.Therefore, the most important thing for a person who believes in Buddhism is to grasp his own heart and control his own heart;Only by experiencing Buddhism with your heart and applying it to daily life can this kind of life be the happiest and happiest.
Second, Buddhism’s life ──The Buddhist teachings of getting along with me
(one )From the Four-Source of Him, I'm Getting along with People
To understand the principles of dealing with the world in Buddhism, you must first know the four methods of attraction.The so-called four methods of attraction are giving, loving words, benefiting actions, and colleagues.Buddhism teaches us that when we get along with others, we must first give and make connections.Some people may think that I have no money and cannot speak, how can I give charity and make connections with others?Let me tell you the easiest way to give.For example: when walking on the road, meeting someone, giving someone a smile or nodding, this is giving;Ask 'ok', say 'morrow', say 'beat', say something to care for others, give comfort to others, give themjoyIn other words, these are all donations, which are donations that everyone can do without spending money.
If someone thinks that they can’t smile at others;Nodding to people is not used to it;Caring and condolences are indescribable.It doesn’t matter, you always have a heart!Use your heart to give, and when others are very polite and feel good about each other, you should be happy;When others give alms and do good deeds, you should also be happy. This is the joy of giving alms in the heart.However, some people are naturally ignorant and have difficulty changing their habits. When they hear someone saying good things, they feel unhappy and say disdainfully: 'This guy is just a mouth, and he will only flatter and say good things on the surface.'I saw someone paying for itMerit，He paid a lot of money, so he said: 'Hmph!He will slap his face and be fat, and his life will be sad, and he will also have to give money to act as a good person.'If you see that people spend less money, you will say: 'Hmph!miser!With so much money, I only spend a drop in the bucket. What's so great about it!'Anyway, no matter what others do, he is just not happy, even'Rejoice’He refused to give alms.
In fact, the merits of giving are very easy in daily life. Giving casually, giving casually, giving casually, giving rejoicingly, giving freely, giving freely, giving freely, giving freely, giving freely, and giving freely. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, you can do merits anytime and anywhere.I usually attach great importance to Buddhism in life and Buddhism in life. The Buddhism I advocate is not a profound truth, but something that everyone can do in life.For example, as long as everyone puts more thought into their daily life and practices it in their daily lives, they believe that they will be able to achieve everything and everyone will be destined to be destined to be.
In addition, there are love languages, colleagues, and profit-oriented actions.The so-called love words, say a few good words to others, use encouragement instead of blame, and use love words to help others. Why do you have to speak like a sword, stab others and make others sad?The so-called "colleague" means that you can put yourself in the shoes of him, for example: he is a soldier, and if you talk to him about business, he will not be interested;She is a housewife, and she doesn't like you talking about politics with her.You must be able to put yourself in his shoes and teach him the Dharma according to his needs.There is also "profit behavior", which means doing your best to benefit others. As long as you grasp the principle of "true being a human being" in everything, and with a sincere and happy heart, everything can be done just right.
(two )Talk about people and me from Liuheism
In Buddhism, monks are called "Sangha", which means "Sangha", also called "Harmony Monk".The so-called "harmonious monk" means that monks can live in harmony in both truth and behavior.Now let me extend the meaning of "harmony" and contribute it to your reference:
1. The first thing about the six harmony is to understand and understand each other, which is the unity of thought: Taiwan’s society is stable and the people’s lives are prosperous, which is why the unity of thoughts is.If someone cannot agree with everyone and walks to the fork, there may be changes.In Buddhism, everyone emphasizes that they must have a common understanding of Buddhism, and take Buddhism as the highest standard for their actions and must not go off the track.
Second, the second thing about the sixth harmony is profit and equality, which is economic balance: in society, rich people should help the poor, and powerful people should help the weak so that everyone can live a stable and comfortable life.
The third thing about the six harmony is precepts and fellow practitioners, which is the equality of the legal system: in life, individuals cannot have privileges;Before laws and regulations, everyone should be equal.Everyone develops the habit of obedience to the public and live a fair and reasonable life.
The fourth of 4 and 6 harmony is harmony and joy, which is the development of the mind: in daily life, everyone should develop an open mind and harmony of mind, not compare the gains and losses of others, and not care about right and wrong, interests and interests. The harmony of mind is the pure land of heaven.
The fifth of the fifth and sixth harmony is the word and non-controversy, which means the intimacy of language: when people get along with each other, they often have displeasure, misunderstandings and other emotions, which are mostly caused by words. Therefore, if you speak sincerely and have a tactful tone, you can live in peace.
Six and Six: The sixth thing about harmony is the unity of body and dwelling, which means the joy of getting along: everyone is destined to be together, and emphasizes harmony and happiness. You help me and I help you;You respect me, I respect you;Equal cohabitation, equal life.
Although the life of Liuheism mentioned above is the life of a monk's monastic community, most of youConvertAfter the Three Jewels and believe in Buddhism, you should pay attention to the spirit of the Sangha and learn about the life of the Sangha.Use methods such as unified thinking, balanced economy, equal legal system, open mind, friendly language, and joyful interaction in daily life to live a truly pure and happy Buddhist life.
(three )Talk about people and me from the four groups of disciples
In Buddhism, there are two groups of monks and women who become monks and women who become laymen, so they are called 'Four Groups of Disciples'.At present, there is such a situation in the Buddhist world. Monks believe that Buddhism should be dominated by monks, and monks are the most important.However, lay Buddhists advocate that lay believers should be more important than monks, such as going out or doing things, which are more convenient for lay Buddhists to be a lay Buddhist.
In fact, I think the monks and lay people should be equally important, supporting each other and supporting each other, and should not be despised or excluded.Let me give you an example to illustrate the unfortunate consequences of exclusion and jealousy.
In an ancient temple, there lives a master with two little disciples.The master is suffering from rheumatism and has difficulty moving both legs. Two young apprentices beat their legs and wait for them every day.Every time when the eldest disciple is pounding his right leg, the master will say, 'Your junior brother beats his left leg, it is very comfortable to beat him!You should beat like him.'The eldest disciple was very unhappy after hearing this.But when the little apprentice beats the left leg, the master always says: 'Your senior brother beats the right leg very well!You should learn from him.'The little apprentice felt very uncomfortable after hearing this.
One day, the eldest disciple came to beat his legs, thinking about the master's praise for his junior brother. The more he thought about it, the more angry he became. He thought, if I broke the junior brother's left leg, the master would not say he would be fine in the future.
When the junior brother saw that his left leg was interrupted by his senior brother, he broke his right leg in anger.
The two disciples broke the master's legs due to hatred and jealousy, causing the master to become a lame man without legs.If the monks and lay people in Buddhism cannot coordinate with each other, and the monks look down on lay people and despise monks, who will suffer?It's Buddhism!
There are five fingers in one hand, each finger is of different lengths, and each finger is very small when separated and it is easy to break;If you put it together and become a fist, you will have great power.In Buddhism, everyone should interact with each other between temples and between monks and believers;Whether you practice Zen, chant Buddha's name or practice Tantra, everyone is a Buddhist disciple and should respect each other;Monks and lay people should work together for Buddhism;People from this province and other provinces should not distinguish between each other.Under the premise of Buddhism, everyone is a teacher and a team, and should be in harmony with each other and take care of each other.Therefore, all the Dharma protectors!Even if you visit this temple, you can visit that temple;From this master to that master, although the master is different, the Dharma is the same.A broad mind and a open mind. Although others have discrimination, at least they do not make any distinction.The so-called "according to the law but not the people". Only in this way can everyone live in peace and unite and cooperate to exert the power of the entire Buddhism. This can be said to be an important key to the revival of Chinese Buddhism today.
Third, the spiritual life of Buddhism ──Buddhism in thoughts and opinions
(one )Talk about thoughts and opinions from the Eightfold Path
Above I talked about the material life and life of Buddhism, and here I will talk about the spiritual life of Buddhism.In addition to material things, a person also has a very important spiritual life. The so-called spirit is a person's thoughts and opinions and a person's inner understanding.How can a Buddhist learner live his spiritual life?First, I propose the Eightfold Path and talk about our thoughts and opinions from the Eightfold Path.If a person has a wrong thought, it is difficult to have fun in life. The Eightfold Path is the best guide to our life. Therefore, if everyone can follow the Eightfold Path, it will be of great help to improve life.
What is the Eightfold Path?The first is 'right view'. The Buddha told us that there are four types of right view: 1. Be good and evil, 2. Be right and karma and reward, 3. Be right and have correct views, previous and later lives, 4. Be right and have correct views, saints and ordinary people.'Real view' is like a 'camera'. If the camera is not accurate, the washed photos will be distorted from the original.Similarly, when we look at people in the world, things in the world, and even the principles in the world, if the "lenses" of our thoughts are not correct, everything in the world will deteriorate.We often say: I think..., my opinion is..., I think it should...In fact, when everyone's views are biased, only the Buddha's views are correct.The Buddha taught us that we must have four correct views, which are true truth, true understanding, true view, true perception, and true realization.We do not doubt the Buddha and have a positive understanding of the meaning of cause and effect. This is our correct view.
Some people say: 'I have been chanting Buddha's name for decades, but the more I recite the Buddha's name, the poorer I become.'Saying such words means having no right view.The Buddha is not our God of Wealth, nor is he your manager or accountant. How can he manage your money for you?Besides, chanting Buddha’s name requires rebirth in the Pure Land. How can you calculate the money from the Buddha?Someone said, 'IEat vegetarianAfter decades of faith in Buddhism, my health has become worse and worse, and my business has become more and more miserable.'This idea is also very strange. If you are not in good health, you should see a doctor. If you don’t pay attention to exercise, nutrition, or practice, how can your body be good?As for the business that is poor, not good at managing, not hardworking, and not struggling, how can a career go smoothly?There are also some people who blame all the unsatisfactory things on Buddhism after they believe in Buddhism. Isn’t this very stupid?A right personBuddhist，For the sake of faith, even if you sacrifice your life, you will be willing to do anything. This is the fundamental right view.
(two )Talk about thoughts and opinions from the friendship of monks
What are the characteristics of their friendship, the ancient monks?How do they live in Buddhism?Let me give you a few examples to explain.
Master Xinxing, who advocated the third-level religion in the Sui Dynasty, once moved to a hillside to live.Someone asked him why?He said it was because it was too steep.In the past, vehicles were pushed or pulled, and when they arrived at that hillside, they were often in a dilemma.Master Xinxing helped people push and pull the cart every day while worshiping the Buddha.Some people think what's the benefit of this?However, Master Xinxing felt very happy after pushing the cart for others.Why is this?'Helping others is the foundation of happiness', Master Xinxing has the idea of serving all living beings, so he often gains happiness in his life of serving and helping others.
The Zen Master Baizhang of the Tang Dynasty advocated the principle of "not doing one day, not eating one day".He had to work every day before eating. Later, he became older and aging. His disciples couldn't bear to work hard all day long, so he collected hoes, tools, etc.The old Zen master could not find the tools and refused to eat all day long. The disciples had no choice but to take out the tools and return them to him.Zen Master Baizhang believes that there is happiness only in work.
Master Zhishi of the Tang Dynasty was highly respected and famous.One day, when Emperor Taizong of Tang invited him to dinner, he ranked the Taoist priests' seats in front and the monks behind. The master thought it was inappropriate and refused to take a seat.Emperor Taizong of Tang advocated Taoism ──Lao Tzu's surname is Li, and the emperor of the Tang Dynasty also had a surname Li. The Tang Dynasty has the same clan as Taoism, so Taoist priests should be ranked first.Master Zhishi refused to sit down with grievance. Emperor Taizong exiled the master to the frontier and suffered.Some people think that the master is too overestimating his abilities.Master Zhishi said: 'The reason I have to strive for it is to let future generations know that there were monks in the Tang Dynasty!'
For the sake of Buddhism's status, Master Zhishi did not hesitate to offend the emperor and argued with reason. This can be said to be the power of faith supporting him.
The great monks and masters of all generations, and even national heroes, for the sake of truth, can ignore personal success or failure, and only seek peace of mind in everything.Therefore, in daily life, a person who believes in Buddhism requires his heart to be at ease in everything, to be worthy of the sky, and to be despised by others, this is the correct idea and opinion.
(three )Talk about thoughts and opinions from the depth of cultivation
A person who has a basic understanding of Buddhism should at least have the following thoughts: even though suffering is still joy, even if it is difficult, still easy, even if it is nothing, and still life even if it is dead.In his mind, suffering and happiness are not two, difficulty and ease are inseparable, there is no difference between existence and non-existence, and life and death are one.
A lay Buddhist went to ask Zen Master Zhizang and asked: 'Is there heaven and hell?'
The Zen master nodded and said, "Yes!"'
The layman asked again: 'YesCause and effectIs it?'
The Zen master said: 'Yes!'
He asked again: 'Are there any Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and the Three Jewels?'
The Zen master replied: 'Yes!'
No matter how you ask, the Zen master always answers, 'Yes!Yes, I have!'After hearing this, the lay Buddhist felt very suspicious, and asked the Zen master again:
‘Zen Master!Could it be that your answer was wrong?When I was with Zen Master Jingshan before, I asked him the same question, but he said, "No!none!"Why do Zen Master, you say everything, "Yes!"Yes, I have!"'
After hearing this, Zen Master Zhizang smiled and said, 'I'll ask you, do you have a wife?'
The lay Buddhist replied: 'Yes!'
The Zen master asked again: 'Do you have children?'
The lay Buddhist replied: 'Yes!'
The Zen master asked again: 'Do you have a house for land?'
The lay Buddhist replied: 'Yes!'
The Zen master changed his style and asked again: 'Does Zen Master Jingshan have a wife?'
‘No!'
‘Do you have children?'
‘No!'
‘Is there real estate?'
‘No!'
The Zen master said frankly: 'Isn't this the right one?Zen Master Jingshan talks about "nothing", which is about his realm. I answer that you "have" is about your world!'The layman suddenly realized.
Usually, ordinary people always like to distinguish between suffering and happiness, difficulty and ease, and they are very clear. Therefore, they are sad when they are suffering and happy when they are happy;I am excited and inspired when I get something, and sad and depressed when I am in trouble.If a person can reconcile these things he treats without being extreme or extreme, then isn’t this a free and easy life whether it is life, death, suffering, happiness, difficulty, or easy?
Today's speech ends here.In the past, I often heard some people who listened to the sutras. After hearing it, someone asked him: 'Is that monk good?''Very good!''What are you talking about?''We don't understand.'The Dharma that you can't understand is considered good.What I am talking about today is the material life of Buddhism, the life of Buddhism, and the spiritual life of Buddhism. They are all very simple principles and can be put into practice in life. I hope everyone can listen to it and enjoy it. Thank you!
