Chapter 2011 On Buddha
The monk really wanted to talk to them about Zen. He led them straight around the guesthouse 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 one person.
After sitting down, the monk introduced himself, "My name is Zhishen."
The three were surprised, "You are Master Zhishen."
The most famous person in Huguo Temple is the abbot Master Zhiren, and Master Zhiren has a junior brother named Zhishen, who is said to be also a high-level monk.
The three of them stood up and bowed again. Zhishen didn't expect them to be so polite, and his smile became even wider. After returning the greeting, he asked them to sit down.
A monk brought up some Zen tea and poured it for them, then bowed slightly and left.
Master Zhishen twirled the Buddhist beads in his hand. Seeing the three of them sipping their tea with their heads down, and not in the least anxious to understand the reason, he raised his lip and asked, "Have the three donors ever read any Buddhist scriptures?"
Bai Shan thought for a moment and said, "We haven't read many Buddhist scriptures. We have only copied the Amitabha Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, and the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra."
When Zhishen heard this, he knew that these Buddhist scriptures were probably copied for the women in the family, because these three scriptures were the most commonly used scriptures for greetings, birthdays and blessings. On average, seven out of ten scriptures were these three.
Zhishen smiled and asked, "Why don't you read the Shurangama Sutra? This is the sutra that opens wisdom.
This sutra is profound and profound, comparable only to the Lotus Sutra and the Avatamsaka Sutra. The three donors are all knowledgeable and intelligent. If they can learn these three sutras, it will greatly benefit their future merits and lives."
The three of them sighed in unison, their faces filled with worry. "Master, instead of asking us to read it, why don't you explain to us the exquisite sentences and Buddhist principles in it? If we read it, we're afraid we won't be able to do it in the short term."
Master Zhishen asked, "Why?"
“Because I’m busy!”
Man Bao said, "I have to study medicine, see patients at the Imperial Hospital, attend classes at the Imperial Medical Bureau, and take classes from my teacher. I have so much to read that it's really hard to find time to meditate and worship Buddha."
Bai Shan also nodded. "That's right. We think it's too early for us to worship Buddha at our age. We can also calm our minds by reading other books."
Zhishen smiled faintly. "The teachings of Buddhism are profound and extend far beyond the tranquility of mind. I see that the three donors are eager to learn. How about I give you these three Buddhist scriptures?"
Without waiting for them to refuse, Monk Zhishen asked someone to get three Buddhist scriptures for them. To their surprise, these three Buddhist scriptures were not only old copies, but also contained dense annotations in small characters.
Even if they did not believe in Buddhism, they knew how valuable such a Buddhist scripture was. The three of them looked at each other and were about to refuse.
Master Zhishen was very persistent, and the smile he had always worn became much more solemn. He said, "I just want you to understand the Buddha's teachings. Once you understand, you will know that the Buddha can help people solve their problems and is not a heresy that misleads people."
The three of them finally understood the reason for this. They were not embarrassed at all. Manbao even asked frankly, "Master Zhishen is now a famous and enlightened monk. Can your troubles be solved?"
Master Zhishen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head. "Buddhism is profound, and I have only learned a tenth or a twelfth of it. How can it solve my difficulties?"
Manbao nodded, "I guess so." Otherwise, why bother asking them to read the scriptures? Just based on this point, he was not only inferior to the abbot of Xuandu Temple, but even the abbot of Shouqing Temple.
Master Zhishen was stunned by her words. To be honest, he had become famous for a long time and had contacts with both ordinary people and rich people, but no one had ever said to him, "Hey, monk, I see that your Buddhist teachings are not very profound. You can't even solve your own problems, right?"
That’s right, although Zhou Man’s words only consisted of four words, this was exactly what he meant.
Bai Shan smiled and explained, "Master, my teacher once said that the Tao of the world is inexhaustible. The universe is infinite and no one in the world can fully understand it."
Since we cannot get to the bottom of it, there is naturally no so-called saying that can solve the world's troubles. Judging from the book that my father-in-law brought from the underworld, they cannot even ask the questions now, let alone solve the troubles. So how can there be any enlightened monks or masters?
This is not only Mr. Zhuang's opinion, but also the opinion of the three people.
However, this idea would offend many people, especially those from Buddhism and Taoism, so the four masters and apprentices only talked about it in their own backyard for each other to hear.
But since things have come to this, they don't mind expressing their opinions.
Bai Shan said: "There is too much knowledge in the world, both existing and unfinished. However, human lifespan, wisdom, and energy are all limited. Therefore, people should focus on certain things. There is no end to the knowledge in the world, and there is no end to research."
Zhishen understood his implication, "Since the three donors have no interest in Buddhist principles and no understanding of them, how can you so easily conclude that Buddhism is misleading?"
Not only Bai Shan and Man Bao, but even Bai Erlang could hear his complaints. He couldn't help but say, "We haven't read the Buddhist scriptures in depth, but that doesn't mean we don't know Buddhism. We have expressed our views on Buddhism, and we are not forcing the world to agree with us."
Bai Shan glanced at Bai Erlang disapprovingly. Before he could say anything, Zhishen said, "Lord Zhou discussed Buddhism in the court, making Your Majesty look down on Buddhism. And Your Majesty is setting an example for the world. If this isn't coercion, what is it?"
"It's Buddhism!" Manbao emphasized, "I'm not just talking about Buddhism, but Buddhism and Taoism!"
Monk Zhishen: ...
"Ever since the beginning, emperors' reliance on Buddhism and Taoism has always been fraught with danger. At the very least, it can harm the country, and at worst, it can destroy it. I am a court official, receiving the emperor's salary and the people's support. Naturally, I must consider the emperor and the people. The people are naturally free to believe in their own beliefs. But as the master just said, Your Majesty is a role model for the world. Since you are a role model for the world, there are also Confucianism, Legalism, Military Science, and Mohism, among others. You should not be too biased. Of the hundreds of schools of thought in the world, he should only favor whichever one is more beneficial to ruling the people."
Manbao looked at Zhishen who was sitting opposite him and said seriously: "Among them, Buddhism is the least likely to be beneficial to ruling the people."
Zhishen hadn't expected her to discuss politics directly. Seeing her confidence, he asked with a smile, "Why is that? Buddhism is profound. If everyone could learn Buddhism and cultivate goodness, the world would be spared countless disasters."
Bai Shan asked quietly, "Don't the monks in Huguo Temple suffer from the resentment of those they hate, the separation of those they love, the burning of the five aggregates, and the unfulfilled desires?"
Zhishen was stunned for a moment and then said, "Yes, even I cannot escape these four sufferings."
"Even the monks who chant sutras morning and night in the temple cannot escape these four sufferings, let alone the common people." Bai Shan said: "Since these four sufferings exist, they cannot escape birth, old age, sickness and death. Therefore, there will still be a lot of jealousy and disputes, and the disasters in the world will not be reduced."
See you tomorrow
(End of this chapter)
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