There are eight kinds of regrets in this world:
If you don’t learn from a teacher, you will regret it;
If you meet a virtuous person, you will regret it if you don’t say goodbye;
Regret for being unfilial to one's parents;
See righteousness and don’t regret it;
Regret if you don't save yourself when you see danger;
Don’t regret losing money if you have it;
If you don’t believe in cause and effect, you will regret it;
If you don’t practice Buddhism, you will regret it.
The "eight kinds of regrets" mentioned by Zhang Daocheng can be said to be a wake-up call!
Then, Zhang Daocheng said to Zhang Shaofei: "You must grasp the cause and condition as soon as possible. It is not easy to be reincarnated as a human being, and it is even more difficult to hear the Dharma. You must know that the human body is rare and you have already heard it. The Dharma is hard to hear and you have heard it now. This body is not for this life." If you don't practice Buddhism and escape from life and death, it will be too late to regret it when impermanence comes! Your wisdom root is so good, don't miss the opportunity!"
Zhang Daocheng taught him the truth and gave him money as a gift, which was the first step for Zhang Shaofei to go north to the Dongshan Zen Temple in Huangmei, Hubei to seek Dharma and learn Buddhism.
This Taoist card is really generous and very generous. He took out a piece of silver and said: "There is a Tao that gives swords to strong men and pink powder to beautiful women. Today I am willing to give up this dreamy and empty money to help you achieve the supreme enlightenment." !”
In ancient times, one ingot of silver was worth ten taels.
These ten taels of silver are not a small amount. If you are running a small business, you can open a shop with four or five taels, let alone ten taels!
This shows that Zhang Daocheng admires Zhang Shaofei's wisdom and conduct, and the support and cultivation of talents by the ancients is also thought-provoking.
But at that time, how could Zhang Shaofei dare to accept such a large amount?
Let’s listen to what Zhang Daocheng said to Zhang Shaofei at that time:
"Young man, money is something external to the body. If you don't bring it with you in life, you won't take it with you in death. I will use it to help you practice Buddha's great deeds, and I can also benefit from it!"
Zhang Daocheng saw that Zhang Shaofei was a little tempted, and further said: "Young man, you use this money to cultivate Taoism, complete it, and save sentient beings. It's not for your own private affairs. Why do you need to distinguish between each other? If you think highly of me, take this money with you." Go on, if you are afraid that I am stupid and mediocre, and that I will cause trouble for you in the future, then you won’t accept it.”
Zhang Shaofei saw that Zhang Daocheng was so sincere and had said everything for this reason. It would be disrespectful to refuse further.
However, if you accept it, you will feel guilty.
Zhang Shaofei took the silver coins in a dilemma, bowed deeply to Zhang Daocheng, and said with gratitude: "Shopkeeper Zhang, if, if I become a Buddha one day, I will definitely repay you well."
Zhang Daocheng smiled at Zhang Shaofei and said sincerely: "A Fei, I don't want you to repay my charity. In Buddhism, this is called charity without form. I respect your wisdom and cherish you as a rare talent, so I gave you two silver coins to help you." Seek the Dharma and follow the Tao. If today is over, I will not be able to remember you or what happened today, so why should you take this matter to your heart? Go back and arrange your family affairs as soon as possible, and enter Buddhism as soon as possible to seek the Dharma! If you can seek the Dao , to save the masses of fans and save all sentient beings from sinking, this is the best reward for me."
Dear sirs, please listen, this elder who shows kindness without seeking repayment is really a rare gentleman and alchemist.
This kind of formless giving is not something that ordinary people can do. First of all, this kind of giving is what most people think of as giving. In fact, all behaviors that sacrifice oneself and benefit others are called giving. It is not difficult to give alms, but it is difficult to achieve an empty body. For example, giving money to others:
First, if you don’t see the self that is capable of giving, don’t think that it’s a great thing if you are willing to give away your property to others. Keep this in mind, because this makes the self that is capable of giving empty.
Second, you should not see the person receiving charity from the outside. Don't think that you are willing to give things to others. If others have received your kindness, the object of the charity will be empty.
Third, the donated property must not be seen in the middle, which will make the donated property empty.
These three points must be seen as empty, which means that the body is empty and the mind is pure without leaving any trace. Just imagine, can ordinary people do such charity?
If this can be achieved, then one penny can be enough to eliminate the sins of a thousand calamities, and a bucket of rice can sow immeasurable blessings!
If you give to others without forgetting them, if you give kindness but repay it, if you give up your property but feel sorry for it, even if you give a thousand taels of gold, it can only be called half a good thing.
It is indeed rare for Zhang Daocheng to be able to give without any sign of emptiness!
Some people complain that they are not rewarded for doing good, and that someone is not rewarded for doing evil.
In fact, there are many distinctions between good deeds, and we must further understand them. Otherwise, doing good without understanding the reason will often lead to behaviors that think they are doing good, but are actually doing evil.
Generally speaking, if it is beneficial to others, hitting and scolding others are considered good. If it is for one's own selfish interests, respecting others and being courteous to others are also considered evil.
When dealing with others, the good that benefits others is truly good, and the good that benefits oneself is hypocritical.
Doing good must be sincere and natural, and should not be kept in mind afterwards. Then, even if it is a small kindness, it can still achieve results;
If you have the intention to do good deeds, repay kindness, and give up your property but feel sorry for it, then your actions throughout your life will only be half-good. Therefore, true kindness is difficult to achieve.
Some people say that they have a good heart and that they are kind. After listening to this paragraph, you should ask yourself whether your heart is good or not?
There is such a kind of person who is nice to his friends and fellow villagers outside, but is not nice to his parents at home and always quarrels with them.
Just think about it, treat your parents badly and treat others well. Is that true? He has a purpose!
"The Classic of Filial Piety" says, "Those who do not love their relatives but love others are said to be unethical." If you do not love your relatives or respect your parents, but respect others, you violate the morals and etiquette of being a human being.
A girl quarreled with her mother and ran away from home in anger. She was hungry halfway and saw a noodle stall next to the avenue. The wonton noodles were fragrant. She wanted to buy a bowl, but she was in a hurry and forgot to bring money.
She stood and wandered in front of the noodle stall. Seeing her dilemma, the owner of the noodle stall cooked a bowl of wonton noodles for her to eat.
The girl ate half of the meal, cried bitterly, and said: "Boss, you are so kind. We have never met each other. I was just passing by here, and you were so kind as to give me a bowl. However, my own mother is so cruel. I just had a quarrel with her, and she kicked me out of the house. I really hate her!"
After hearing this, the owner of the noodle stall shook his head and said, "Son, you are wrong to think this way. You are ungrateful. I just cooked you a bowl of noodles, and you burst into tears, but your mother has been cooking for you for more than ten years." How many bowls of noodles have she ordered and how many times have she cooked for you, why don’t you appreciate her and still hate her?”
After hearing this, the girl felt guilty. I thought: The boss of this noodle stall is right! When a stranger gave me a bowl of noodles, I was moved to tears. However, for more than ten years, my mother has cooked countless meals for me. I have never been grateful to her, and I still hate her. She cherished and cared for me in every possible way, never asking for anything in return from me, she just paid silently, but why can't I be grateful to my mother?
The girl felt extremely ashamed when she thought about this. She wanted to go home immediately and say sorry to her mother.
She put down the bowl and ran home crying.
But before she got home, when she walked to the alley in front of her house, she saw her mother looking around anxiously, waiting for her to come back.
When her mother saw her, she hurriedly said: "My child, you are back. Mom has prepared the food. Come in and eat quickly, or it will get cold."
The girl burst into tears and hugged her mother, feeling grateful.
I give this example to tell readers that if you want good luck and destiny, you must honor your parents.
When a stranger gives you a little favor, you are extremely grateful. But over the years, have your parents been so kind to you? Have you ever been grateful?
Many bosses encourage their employees to go home and wash their parents' feet, in order to arouse people's gratitude and filial piety.
When you wash your parents' feet and you see that their feet are covered with wrinkles and calluses, you will feel grateful.
Over the years, parents have used their own feet to build the future of their children, but they have given away their own youth.
Therefore, as a person, it is very inappropriate not to honor one's parents. "The Classic of Filial Piety" says, "The ultimate filial piety and brotherhood are connected to the gods, and their light shines all over the world, and they are omnipotent." For a person, with his filial piety and good thoughts, all blessings will come. How can there be any blessings? "Filial piety comes first among all good deeds." From ancient times to the present, many people have achieved glory, wealth and great blessings because of their filial piety; many people have suffered misfortunes because of their unfilial piety.
If you want good luck, you must be filial to your parents and your elders.
Simply speaking, a kind act like Zhang Daocheng's without asking for anything is truly good. It was his true kindness that actually saved the life of his only son. We will explain it in detail later. However, I will first reveal a secret to readers, that is, being a good person takes advantage, because those who truly do good deeds without expecting anything in return will often receive the greatest reward. But this kind of reward is not necessarily the reward of the beneficiary, but an ultimate reward. Being a good person without asking for anything in return will often bring you the greatest reward. But this return is slow.
In the long run, the income from doing good deeds and being a good person will be far greater than the expenses. If you do good deeds and want to be rewarded immediately, then all you will get is a kind of disappointment. Please believe that what Eleven Shao said is definitely the secret of God.
Some people may say that Zhang Daocheng must be a rich man. It is not easy for people without money to do good deeds.
There are many ways to practice kindness and accumulate virtue, and anyone can do it.
A caring person can care for others in all aspects, not necessarily with money. For example, if there is a person around you who is obsessed with fame and fortune, you should always remind him and warn him to clear up his confusion.
Han Yu said, "For a moment, you can persuade people with your words; for a hundred generations, you can persuade them with your writings." In life, you will inevitably encounter failures and misfortunes. When you encounter someone else's disaster, you should try your best to provide comfort and help just as you would when you encounter a disaster. Even if it is a kind of sympathy, it is also an immeasurable kindness. . The favor is not great, it is important to be able to save people in times of crisis, and it is important to be able to understand people's hearts.
The story of Zhongshan Jun and Sima Ziqi illustrates this point. One time, Lord Zhongshan wanted to have a banquet with all the scholar-bureaucrats in the city. A scholar-official named Sima Ziqi also came to the banquet in high spirits, dressed in brocade and auspicious clothes.
At the banquet, all the scholars and officials talked loudly, each showing their talents and wisdom.
During the dinner, the chef brought the steaming hot mutton soup. Zhongshan Jun persuaded the scholar-bureaucrats to taste it with a smile on his face, but he did not bother to persuade Sima Ziqi.
Those people who were encouraged to drink and eat by Zhongshan Jun felt that their faces were shining and they were very happy.
However, Sima Ziqi felt that he had been neglected. Before the banquet was over, he left angrily and went to the Chu State to enumerate the many shortcomings of Zhongshan King and provoke the Chu King to send troops to attack Zhongshan State.
Sure enough, the King of Chu listened to Sima Ziqi's words, and sent out a large army of soldiers and horses, with Sima Ziqi as the guide. The army reached Zhongshan Kingdom, and suddenly the troops came to the city, forcing the King of Zhongshan to flee in panic.
On the way to escape, he found two big men behind him, carrying steel knives, following closely.
Zhongshan Jun became even more flustered and panicked, so he ran to a hillside. There was no way to go. He had to be brave and turned around and shouted: "Stop, you are following closely with sharp knives in hand. What are you doing?"
Two big men hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down in front of him: "Don't be alarmed, your Majesty. We are here to protect you on the orders of our father. When our father was about to starve to death, it was you, your Majesty, who gave him a bowl of rice to make him happy." Come back to life. For many years, our father has been grateful for your kindness. Before he died, he called us brothers to the bedside and told us that if you, the king, are in danger, we brothers should come to protect the king at the risk of our lives. . Today we brothers are here to protect the king in accordance with our father’s will.”
After listening to this, Mr. Zhongshan looked up to the sky and sighed: "It seems that what you give to others does not mean much. What is important is to send warmth when they are in extreme hardship. It does not matter how cold you are to others. What is important is not to hurt their dignity in public. I The country was destroyed because of a cup of mutton soup, but two loyal warriors were gained because of a bowl of rice." This story tells us that small causes lead to big results.
