The monk really came to talk to them about Zen, so he led them directly around the guest courtyard to his own residence at the back, sat down under a linden tree, and invited the three of them to sit down.
Four stone benches, exactly one for each person.
After sitting down, the monk introduced himself, "I am wise."
The three were surprised, "You are Master Zhishen."
The most famous person in Huguo Temple is Master Zhiren, who presided over Master Zhiren, and Master Zhiren has a younger brother named Zhishen, who is said to be an eminent monk.
The three of them got up and saluted again, Zhishen didn't expect them to salute so much, and the smiles on their faces were even bigger, and he asked them to sit down after returning the salute.
A monk came up with Zen tea and poured it for them, then bowed slightly and stepped back.
Master Zhishen turned the beads in his hand and saw that the three of them were drinking tea with their heads bowed. He was not in a hurry to find out why, so he couldn't help but twitched his lips and asked, "Have the three benefactors read any Buddhist scriptures?"
After thinking for a while, Bai Shan said: "I have read very few Buddhist scriptures, but have only copied the Sutra of Infinite Life, Sutra of Vajra Prajna Paramita and Sutra of Earth Store Bodhisattva's Fundamental Vows."
As soon as Zhishen heard it, he knew that the Buddhist scriptures were probably copied for the family members, because these three scriptures were the most frequently used scriptures for going up, birthday celebrations and blessings. On average, seven out of ten books were dedicated to these three books. scriptures.
Zhishen smiled and asked, "Why don't Master Bai read the Shurangama Sutra? This is the Sutra of enlightening wisdom.
This sutra is exquisite and brilliant, only the "Lianhua Sutra" and "Avatamsaka Sutra" can be mentioned. The three benefactors are all well-informed and have the roots of wisdom. If you can learn these three sutras, it will be beneficial to the three The merits and virtues in the future and life will be greatly improved. "
The three of them sighed in unison, with sad faces, "Master, instead of letting us read it, why don't you tell us the exquisite sentences and Buddhist principles in it. It's not enough."
Master Zhishen asked, "Why?"
"Because I'm busy!"
Man Bao said: "I want to study medicine, see a doctor in the imperial hospital, go to the imperial medical office to take classes, and also take my husband's class, read a lot of books, it is really difficult to find time to meditate and worship Buddha."
Bai Shan also nodded, "That's right, and I think it's too early for us to pay homage to the Buddha at our age. It's also possible to meditate and read other books."
Zhishen smiled slightly, "Buddha's meaning is profound, and it's more than just peace of mind. I think the three benefactors are easy to learn. Why don't 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 ones, but also contained densely packed annotations in small characters.
Even if they don't believe in Buddhism, they also know how precious such a Buddhist scripture is, and the three of them will refuse after looking at each other.
Master Zhishen was very persistent, and the smile that was always on his face became 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 my Buddha can relieve people's hardships and catastrophes. Not a deceitful cult."
The three of them knew the reason for this after hearing it. They were not embarrassed at all, and Man Bao asked frankly: "Master Zhishen is now a famous eminent monk who has attained the Tao. Solved?"
Master Zhishen was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head, "Buddhism is so profound that the poor monk has learned only one or two tenths of it, so how can we get rid of our distress?"
Man Bao nodded, "I guess so." Otherwise, why insist on letting them read scriptures? Based on this alone, he is not only inferior to the master of Xuandu Temple, but also the master of Shouqing Temple.
Master Zhishen was blocked on the spot by her words. To be honest, he has been famous for a long time, and he has been in contact with white people and rich people, but no matter what kind of situation, no one has ever said to him "Hey, monk, I see you If the Dharma is not deep, you can't even solve your own difficulties, right?"
That's right, although there are only four words in Zhou Man's words, that's what they mean.
Bai Shan smiled and explained: "Master, my husband said that the world's Tao is inexhaustible, the universe is infinite, and no one in the world can understand it."
Since they can’t go to the bottom, naturally there is no so-called solution to the world’s difficulties. Just reading the books that my father-in-law brought from the underworld, they can’t even ask questions now, let alone solve the problems, so there is no way to get the truth Eminent monk, master of enlightenment
This is not only the opinion of Mr. Zhuang, but also the opinion of the three of them.
It's just that this idea will offend many people, especially Buddhists and Taoists, so the four masters and apprentices just talked and listened to each other in their backyard.
But since the word has come to this point, they don't mind expressing their views.
Bai Shandao: "There is too much knowledge in the world, existing and unfinished, and human life, wisdom, and energy are all limited, so people should focus on it. The knowledge of the world is endless, and it is also endless. "
Zhishen understood what he meant, "The three benefactors are neither interested in nor understand Buddhism, how can they easily assert that Buddhism is misleading people?"
Bai Shan and Man Bao couldn't help, even Bai Erlang could hear his complaints, he couldn't help but said: "We haven't read Buddhist scriptures deeply, but it's not that we don't know Buddhism. Force the world to agree."
Bai Shan glanced at Bai Erlang disapprovingly, and before he could speak, Zhishen said: "Master Zhou went to court to discuss Buddhism, and asked His Majesty to despise Buddha, and His Majesty is an example for the world. Is this not coercion, what is it?"
"It's Buddha and Tao!" Man Bao emphasized: "I'm not talking about Buddha, but Buddha and Tao!"
Monk Zhishen: …
"There have always been hidden dangers in the emperor's belief in Buddhism and Taoism. At least it will harm the country, and at the worst it will destroy the country. I am a court official. I eat the king's salary and eat the people's worship. Naturally, I have to consider the emperor and the people. The people's beliefs are naturally free, but the master I just said that Your Majesty is a model for the world. Since he is a model for the world, after Buddhism and Taoism, there are hundreds of schools of thought such as Confucianism, Law, Bing Mo, etc., so he should not be too biased. Whoever is beneficial to rule the people of the world, he is biased. Which."
Man Bao looked at Zhishen who was sitting opposite and said seriously: "Among them, Buddhism is the least likely to be beneficial to rule the people."
Zhishen didn't expect her to talk about politics directly. Seeing that she was so determined, he asked with a smile, "Why? The Dharma is profound. If all people learn the Dharma to be good, how many disasters will be avoided in the world."
Bai Shan asked quietly: "Do the monks in Huguo Temple not have meetings of resentment and hatred, separation of love, blazing five shades, and desperation?"
Zhishen was stunned for a moment and then said: "Yes, even a poor monk cannot escape these four sufferings."
"The monks who chant scriptures in the temple morning and evening can't get rid of the four sufferings, let alone the people." Bai Shan said: "Since they have the four sufferings, they can't get rid of birth, old age, sickness and death, so there are still a lot of jealousy and disputes. The disasters in the world will not be reduced because of this.”