When I first became a monk, I was instructed by my tutor to study at Qixia Law School. One day, Master Chueh-min, who teaches Chinese, wrote ten words on the blackboard, "Bodhi can't directly show the truth of Prajna" and asked us to write a composition on this topic. At that time, I was only twelve years old, and I didn't understand a single scripture since class, and these ten words were more like gobbledygook, which made me feel at a loss, so I had to copy from east to west and hand in my papers in a muddle. Later, I experienced many vicissitudes and talked about the Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra many times. When I recalled the topic of that year again, I suddenly realized that "Bodhi can't" is "emptiness" and "directly showing Prajna" is "existence". You can't have it until you are free.
People in the world often divide "emptiness" and "being" into two completely different things, and think that "emptiness" is not "being" and "being" is not "emptiness". But when Buddhism explains the truth of life in the universe, it thinks that only emptiness can exist; Not empty, not empty. For example, an empty teacup can only hold water, an empty wallet can only hold money, an empty house can only live in people, an empty land can only live in Gai Lou, and even an empty nose can only breathe, an empty ear can only smell, an empty mouth can only chew and an empty stomach can only eat. If it is not "empty", how can it be "there"?
Empty is the most constructive truth, but many people misunderstand the meaning of empty, and even think that the sky is empty, the earth is empty and the world is empty. What a terrible thing! In fact, "emptiness" sounds nothing, but isn't vanity all-encompassing? "Empty" seems invisible, but when it enters the square, it is square, and when it enters the circle, it is round. Doesn't it have an omnipresent function beyond treatment?
The "emptiness" of Buddhism is used to explain that everything in the world is formed by various conditions, so there are not only independent things in the universe, but they are all interdependent. The relationship and conditions mentioned here are called karma in Buddhism. Long Shu's "On China" said: "All laws are born of reason, and I say it is empty. He also said: "if you are free and just, all laws can be realized;" Nothing can be done without empty meaning. Therefore, when Buddhism talks about "emptiness", it means treating "emptiness" with persistence, treating "emptiness" with two sides and treating "emptiness" with illusion, in order to give us a real world. Therefore, "emptiness" is not only non-destructive, but also the ontology of constructing universal life. As the saying goes, "If you want to know the realm of Buddha, you should make it empty as a dream." If we can fully understand the principle of "emptiness" and expand our minds like emptiness, we can manage harmony and everything will be fine.
Three months after the Buddha ascended to heaven to speak for his mother, he returned to earth. His disciples heard this and ran to meet him. With magical powers, the Lotus-colored bhikkhu went to the Buddha first, bowed his feet respectfully and said, "disciple Lotus-colored was the first to ride to the Buddha." 」
The Buddha said, "The first person who met me was not you, but Bodhi who was sitting in the cave of King Snake Mountain and watching the sky. He who can see the empty truth is the one who really sees the Buddha. 」
Another time, at the Lingshan meeting, the Buddha took a Manizu who was chasing color and asked the four heavenly kings, "What color is this Manizu?" 」
When the heavenly kings saw it, some said it was green, some said it was yellow, some said it was red and some said it was white. The Buddha took Manizu back, spread out his palm and asked them, "What color is this Manizu in my hand now?" 」
The heavenly kings didn't understand what the Buddha meant, and they all replied, "Buddha! You have nothing in your hand now. How can there be mani pearls? 」
The Buddha said to the four heavenly kings, "I show you ordinary secular beads, and you can all tell their colors, but when the real treasure is in front of you, you turn a blind eye." How upside down! 」
Indeed, the world is upside down, obsessed with fantasy and things. Therefore, when you gain, you are happy, and when you lose, you are sad and distressed; When everything goes well, I am extremely excited. When I encounter difficulties, I feel depressed and my mood is completely dominated by the foreign minister. If we can understand that everything in the world is impermanent and unreal, and thus use the "empty" truth to reconcile and control these therapeutic concepts, then whether it is good or not; Bitter or happy; Difficult or easy; Honor and disgrace, if you can do what the Diamond Sutra says everywhere, you can live everywhere. Isn't this a free and easy life?
I remember when I first came to Taiwan Province Province, I didn't have anything, but I didn't feel poor or bitter, because ten years of wisdom education in the jungle made me feel that one doesn't have to be satisfied with material things. Imagine that in the sky, the moon and stars can be freely enjoyed by me; In the park, I can watch colorful flowers and trees at will; On the street, Ren Woxing can take all kinds of roads; In nature, birds, animals, insects and fish can all become attached to me. I deeply feel the wealth of 3,000 worlds, and I sincerely thank the Buddha, who has painstakingly experienced the theory of "emptiness" so that I can follow, learn, imitate and enjoy it. Because I have an empty heart to accept everything, I always serve and contribute with gratitude and satisfaction, which brings me many opportunities; Because I look at things with an "empty" mentality, I preach Buddhism everywhere with an infinite mentality, and as a result, I have opened up a new world for Buddhism. I realized the true meaning of Buddhism, "only when it is empty", which is really an inexhaustible treasure of life.
Now I know that I came into this world, and I started from scratch; Living in the world is "empty" and living; Therefore, I also know that what I have in the world is "empty". 1957, the believers provided me with an exquisite garden villa for my further study. I named it Pumen Jingshe, which is beautiful, but I didn't expect it to be mine. Therefore, after I arrived at this house in 1957, I set up a Buddhist culture service office in Sanchongpu, Taipei County to work hard for Buddhist culture. Later, because of the prosperous legal affairs, I moved to the central road of Kaohsiung, Huancheng Road, and attached a primary school kindergarten. Three years later, since monasticism is the foundation of Buddhism, I went to this golden, quiet and prosperous house and came to Foguang Mountain to reclaim land. In this way, the small "empty" room was replaced by the big "empty" room. Now the cause of Buddhism is getting bigger and bigger, and more and more Buddhist Dojo have been built. But I don't think it's big, I don't think it's much, and I don't think it's "owned", because I think all this is "owned" by the public, and I'm just one of the reasons.
People often ask me: "There are so many magnificent buildings in Foguang Mountain, and there are even more than 100 branches in the world. Where did such a huge sum of money come from? " I told them: "it comes from' empty'. That is to say, as far as Foguang Mountain is concerned, it was originally a hill full of thorns and weeds, and no one wanted to farm, let alone live in it. But after everyone's efforts, isn't it a "castle in the air"?
The reason why Foguang Mountain can be transformed from a barren mountain into a sacred place is just like the idea I put forward at the beginning of the mountain: "Governing by doing nothing, taking retreat as progress, taking pleasure in emptiness and taking everyone as me." As I said in French at the opening ceremony of the Giant Buddha City, "Take the western spring water, gather the sand and stones of Gaoping, and gather the manpower of the world to build the tallest Buddha." It is precisely because of the combination of many reasons that it has the meaning of "emptiness"; It is precisely because I am "empty" that many people are easy to do. Today, there are 3000 people living and eating in Foguang Mountain. I don't have any land left by my ancestors, nor do I run secular businesses. I don't even know anything about stocks and futures. I just want to build a temple and teach Buddhism, so that I can gather all my strength with a fragrant heart. If I hoard money and enjoy it myself, there won't be thousands of karma parties to attend the grand event. Empty is such a beautiful truth!
Not only was Foguang Mountain built with "emptiness", but many other branches, such as Nanhua Temple in South Africa, Nantian Temple in Australia, Zhongtian Temple and Sino-American Temple in Houston, USA, began to build Dojo even before sending people to preach Buddhism, because where there is "emptiness", there is Buddhism, truth, confidence and will, so even a hundred acres of land. Except for the Dojo, all my Buddhist undertakings have changed from "emptiness" to "existence". For example, when I started Foguangshan Jungle College, because no one wanted to borrow the venue, I took the initiative to make friends with fried noodles, so I got a floor on Songshan Road to run the school. Later, Dharma flourished, and Fumen Temple and Taipei Dojo were established one after another. When Xilai University was founded, even the campus was a corner of Xilai Temple. A few years ago, I took over the campus of a Jesuit university and expanded enrollment by writing gifts to people. Foguang University has just spent a lot of money to prepare land. I used 100 yuan a month to raise money, and later I opened a South China University. At first, the Buddha Light Society had no members. I call on all those who have ideas. Now there are millions of members all over the country. All these prove that "vacuum makes beauty" is an incredible truth.
We often hear that some people in the society turn against each other for fame and fortune, and even some monasteries quarrel constantly about it and go to court. Also, there are not a few people who invaded other countries in order to compete for land space in history. For example, Japanese warlords covet China's vast territory and rich resources, wage war, and later lose. I was lucky enough to accept the Buddha's "emptiness" teaching, so I can travel around the world in peace. Although I have lived in Leiyin Temple for decades, I don't want to be an abbot. I set up the first Dojo-Yilan Buddhist Association, but I have never registered the ownership in my own name. Even in Foguang Mountain and its branches at home and abroad, there is not a piece of land or a house with me as the owner or manager. But strangely, wherever I go, my disciples are most afraid of me saying, "I don't want it, I'm leaving!" " It can be seen that the world of life is really like the heart sutra, and nothing is true; What you get from tangible aspects, even if you have it, is not true.
In society, it is inevitable that some people misunderstand the empty meaning because they don't understand Buddhism at all, and many people mislead the empty meaning because they have a little knowledge of Buddhism. For example, some people think that everything is empty, impermanent, unreal and should not be persistent, so they don't care about anything; Some people think that everything is empty and should leave as soon as possible, so they advocate self-study; Some people even show off their intelligence and wisdom and dazzle people with empty meanings. In fact, persistence is not persistence, is it also a kind of persistence? Isn't greed and inaction a kind of greed? Pretending to know what you don't know is more self-deception. Since these people can't correspond to the "empty" truth, how can they have the real interests of Buddhism?
Like the Buddha, he wears a dung-sweeping dress in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Although he feels comfortable and carefree, he is not proud even though he is wearing the golden eagle clothes given by the emperor. You can live a simple diet or eat with delicious food. Not only can you eat and sleep under the tree, but you can also live in Qionglou Yuyu. You can live alone in the mountains, or you can live with the four disciples; When he is respected and supported, he always remains the same, and when he is slandered and slandered, he will not use harsh words. The Buddha does not care about wealth, poverty, gains and losses, good and evil, beauty and ugliness, nor does he follow the customs. This spirit of taking things as they are and making a living through emptiness is the greatest wealth of the Buddha and the greatest legacy left by the Buddha to future generations.
Although Bodhisattva Tipo, Master Huisi and other eminent monks and great virtues have been poisoned by the wicked many times, and even executed, they still have their sad wishes to break evil spirits and show righteousness and popularize the law among the public. From their works, we can know that this spirit of "sharing great sorrow with others without great kindness" and "bearing the burden of humiliation and living as before" is nothing more than "empty" wisdom gained through persistent practice.
During my missionary career from the mainland to Taiwan Province Province, I was once excluded by my fellow travelers and destroyed by pagans. Numerous times, he was obstructed, falsely accused, investigated by security units, and even went to jail because he was suspected of being a spy. The reason why I have no regrets, perseverance, perseverance and hardship is because the spirit of selfless dedication of ancient sages, like a bright lamp in the dark, always shines on me and gives me great confidence and courage. "Heart Sutra" said: If you can "see the five aggregates are empty", you can "do your best", which is true.
A monk asked Zen master Wei Kuan, "Where is Tao? Zen master Wei Kuan replied: "Only now. 」
"Why can't I see it?" "Because you have me, you can't see it. 」
"I have' I', so I can't see; So, Zen master, what about you? Did you get a look at him? 」
The Zen master replied, "It's even harder to see me and you. 」
"If there is no' I' and no' you', can you see it?" "Without you and me, who can see the way? 」
The so-called "fixing the truth through falsehood", of course, everything in the world is illusory and exists, but we should also practice it between you and me because of this falsehood. Otherwise, how can we prove the true meaning of "vacuum does not hinder surprise, and surprise does not hinder vacuum"? Therefore, in the ten years of studying in the jungle, although I took meditation and worshipping Buddha as my self-study class, I was once carried away and lost my mind and body, but I only put these precious religious experiences into practice, and I didn't dream of going into the mountains to build a car behind closed doors. I used to write scriptures by pricking blood, grounding, not eating in the afternoon and asceticism, but I regarded them as a process of sharpening my body and mind, and I didn't stick to any one; I have visited the famous Blue Temple and studied law, religion and religion. I think practicing special education has in-depth benefits, but I still advocate human Buddhism, and all eight sects are prosperous; Although I received a ruthless and unreasonable education, I later adopted the way of "combining kindness with severity" for my followers.
Once, a layman asked Zen master Zhizang, "Is there heaven or hell?" ? The Zen master replied, "Yes." ""Is there a Buddha and a Bodhisattva? 」
The Zen master still replied: "Yes. In short, no matter what you ask, Zen master Zhizang replied, "Yes. 」
Hearing this, the layman said, "Strange! I asked Jackson Jingshan the same question, and he said' No'. Master Naoko asked him, "Do you have a wife? 」
The layman replied, "Yes." "Do you have children?" The layman still replied: "Yes." "Master Jingshan has a wife? 」
The layman replied, "No.""Does Master Jingshan have any children? The layman still replied, "No.
Zen master Zhizang said seriously: "Zen master Jingshan has no wife and children, so he says' nothing' to you;" I say' yes' to you because you have a wife and children! 」
A similar case-solving happened to Jackson Zhao Zhou. Different people asked him, "Does the dog have Buddha nature?" ? He also said "nothing" and "yes" from time to time. This is because there is only one truth, and whether it exists or not is only two sides of the truth, but the truth varies from person to person. Zen master said yes or no, but explained the ubiquitous truth from different levels. Therefore, of course, the educated should accept everything like "vanity" in order to learn everything; Teachers, like vanity, must be everywhere in order to achieve the effect of being accepted by colleagues.
During my 50-year teaching career in Buddhism, I have participated in education, culture, charity, group practice and other Buddhist undertakings. Although I know that I specialize in a job that can reduce manpower and material resources, I still do many things at the same time. I have taught in the countryside many times, and I often go to the city to preach the law; I pay attention to the education of young people and teenagers, and also teach classes for women and the elderly; I hold all kinds of modern activities, but I don't ignore the traditional dharma meeting. Although we have to go to great lengths to make all kinds of plans without disconnecting our brains, as the Shurangama Sutra says, "There is no other way to return to Yuan, and there are countless convenient ways. Aren't all beings inspired by the convenience of these many doors? Isn't Buddhism thriving in this convenience?
Up to now, I am an old knife man. I face a full schedule every day, but I don't feel anyone or anything around me. I can handle many things at the same time and gather different people to talk about different topics. I don't want to come here or there, so I can sleep on my pillow or take a bus. I can talk about it on the plane and show it in the submarine. Someone asked me, "What is the secret of being so willful and carefree?" I often use the story of Taoist Zen master to explain to you the benefits of adapting to nature and practicing "emptiness":
The temple built by Taoist Zen master is adjacent to Taoist temple. Because the Taoist priests can't let go of the temple next to the temple, they do things that disturb the temple every day, and sometimes they call for rain and scatter beans as soldiers; Sometimes lightning speed and the narrowest shadow really scare away many young novice monks. Daoshu Zen master is not afraid, and has lived here for more than ten years. Finally, the Taoist priest used up all his spells, so he had to give up the Taoist temple and move away from him. Someone asked Zen master Shu, "Taoist priests are good at magic. How did you beat them? 」
The Taoist Zen master replied, "I don't have any magic." I hit them with a word' nothing' (meaning' empty'). " "Nothing", how can you beat them? 」
"They have magic, and' having' is limited, poor, tired, measured and bordered; And I can't,' nothing' is infinite, infinite, endless, endless, endless. Therefore, my "no" change will definitely be better than their "yes" change. 」
Here, I would like to advise the world that "having" will lead to gains and losses, and "having" is limited, so we can't find the real "having" in our fantasy. If you can have an "empty" heart, you won't get lost even if you are in danger of being persecuted. On the contrary, you can show an open mind, which is like drawing a sword and cutting off water, and you can't block the smooth flow of rivers. If you can hold an "empty" attitude, even if you live in five desires and six dusts, it won't affect you, but you can appreciate the rich connotation, which is like a dust-free mirror, which can clearly reflect everything. Because, only "empty, can there be"!