With the revival of Baolin Temple, its reputation has skyrocketed, and Zen monks and pilgrims from all over the world have come here. Some of them are studying Buddhism and practicing Buddhism; some are here to see the Sixth Patriarch; some are staying in the temple to do odd jobs... It's true The first one is: pedestrians are like crucian carp, and the popularity is very high. It is like a peaceful and prosperous age, and the scene of prosperous incense. Among the many people who come to Baolin Temple for its reputation, there is a strange and somewhat mysterious old monk.
There are many scars on his face, coupled with the marks of many years, it looks a little distorted and deformed.
He was silent all day long and never interacted with others; he did not chant sutras or listen to Dharma. He just carried a big broom and swept the long road in front of Baolin Temple every day.
In the spring of the second year of Yifeng (677), plum blossoms were white on both sides of Cao River, as if they had been covered with a layer of auspicious snow on the green slope, which also added a bit of elegance and holiness to the Zen sect.
At that time, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty believed in Buddhism, so officials and people across the country were extremely eager to worship Buddhism.
Governor Wei of Shaozhou was also a great believer in Buddhism. On a sunny spring day at the beginning of the First Yuan Dynasty, when flowers were blooming, he personally led more than ten of his subordinates to Baolin Temple and asked the Sixth Patriarch Huineng to go to Dafan Temple in Shaozhou to bless everyone. statement.
At the entrance of Caohou Village, Liu Zhilue and Cao Shuliang were chatting with a group of young men and women in the village under a large and leafy banyan tree...
At this time, Shaozhou Governor Wei was walking on the road in a sedan chair, followed by dozens of officials.
"Another dignitary came to see the Sixth Patriarch." Liu Zhilue looked at Cao Shuliang who was talking about Gu Zai and said.
Cao Shuliang looked up and said, "Oh! This is the sedan chair of Mr. Wei, the governor of Shaozhou. Mr. Wei is a good official and is very considerate of the people."
Liu Zhilue said: "Oh, he is a parent official! However, the Sixth Patriarch did not even accept the emperor's invitation, let alone curry favor with these powerful people."
They watched Governor Wei and his party walk towards Baolin Temple.
Governor Wei, surrounded by his entourage, came to the living room of Baolin Temple. Huizhan hurriedly went to the abbot to ask the master to come forward to greet his parents.
After a while, Fa Da and Fa Hai walked in, serving the Sixth Patriarch.
Governor Wei stood up and bowed with his hands together: "Master."
The Sixth Patriarch returned the courtesy and said: "Master Wei came to our temple, but it was a long way to greet him."
Governor Wei said: "The lower officials did not dare to disturb the master, so they came without warning."
The Sixth Patriarch gestured and said, "Master Wei, please sit down. Huizhan, let's take a look at the tea."
After sitting down, the Sixth Patriarch said, "Master Wei is so busy with official duties, how can he have time to come to Caoxi?"
"To be honest, Master, I am here today. Firstly, I want to pay homage to you, the living Bodhisattva, and listen to the teachings of the Dharma. Secondly, I want to invite the Sixth Patriarch to come down from the mountain and give a lecture on the Dharma at the Dafan Temple in Shaozhou City."
Fahai interjected and said: "Master Wei, you don't know something. My master is old and has been unwell recently. I'm afraid that the fatigue of the saddle and horse will hinder the body of the Dharma."
"This..." Governor Wei looked at the Sixth Patriarch, and then said, "Master is in poor health and declined the emperor's invitation. I have heard about it before, but..."
The Sixth Patriarch said: "Master Wei, you don't have to be embarrassed. If there is anything unclear about Buddhism, please bring it up. I will do my best to discuss it with you."
Governor Wei said: "If I were alone, how could I dare to disturb the master's spiritual practice? It was the monks of Dafan Temple and the people of Shaozhou who asked me to come... Forget it, the master's body is important. We will wait for another date... "
The Sixth Patriarch interrupted him: "Master Wei, what happened to the monks of Dafan Temple and the people of Shaozhou?"
Governor Wei said: "Xiaguan was entrusted by believers inside and outside Shaozhou City to come to ask the master to speak. More than a thousand monks and laypeople from all over the world have gathered in Dafan Temple."
The Sixth Patriarch immediately said: "Master Wei, why didn't you tell me earlier, Fada, you can prepare my luggage for me tomorrow morning... no, not tomorrow, but now! Let's go to Shaozhou immediately."
Governor Wei quickly stopped him: "It's too tiring to drive all night long, master. It's only half a day between morning and evening."
The Sixth Patriarch said: "Life lies in the breath. We should seize the moment. Besides, one day for a thousand believers is equivalent to three years for one person! Stop talking and let's go!"
When the Sixth Patriarch Huineng arrived at Dafan Temple in Shaozhou that day, it was already nightfall.
In the Dafan Temple, there were many monks and lay people, and it was packed to the brim.
A high altar for sermons was erected in front of the main hall. More than a dozen officials including Governor Wei also came here and stood solemnly in front of the altar together with monks and lay believers.
Suddenly, the bells and drums rang together, and the master of Dafan Temple sang loudly: "I respectfully invite Master Shang Hui and Xia Neng!"
The Sixth Patriarch Huineng, wearing a red ancestral robe and full of energy, stepped onto the altar covered with a thick velvet carpet.
Everyone under the altar held their breath and clasped their hands together, standing respectfully in a solemn atmosphere. The Sixth Patriarch sat down, knocked the chime lightly, and led everyone to worship: "Master Namo, the Sixth Patriarch!"
The Sixth Patriarch Huineng saluted all the monks and laypeople present. The cassock on his body shone with colorful lights.
When everyone was astonished, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng's morning bell-like voice echoed throughout the audience: "Dear wise teachers, human nature is originally pure and flawless. As long as this nature can be revealed, You can directly become a Buddha. You all have this kind of pure nature. It is just because you are confused and unable to realize it on your own that you are going through life and death without being able to be liberated."
The audience in the audience felt fresh and excited when they heard that they all have Buddha-nature and that they can become Buddhas if they clearly see their nature.
The Sixth Patriarch continued: "Now, I will explain to you the Mahaprajnaparamita Dharma, which is the Dharma that leads to the other side of great wisdom."
The Sixth Patriarch Huineng paused for a moment and uttered a wise saying: "All the written texts in the world, as well as the Mahayana and Mahayana, and the twelve scriptures of the Tripitaka, were created by humans and were designed for humans. Without the wisdom of the human soul, there would be no human beings." There are no all dharmas. Since all dharmas come from the soul, then why don’t we suddenly see our nature from our own hearts? Therefore, all the good dharmas in the world are also in human nature, and there is no need to seek them from outside. . Everyone, there is no difference between Buddha and sentient beings. The key lies in enlightenment or unenlightenment. If your self-nature is confused, you are a sentient being; if your self-nature is enlightened, you are a Buddha. Therefore, as long as your mind can understand everything in the world, If you are not rigid or attached, and don’t care about taking or giving up, then you will be able to understand your mind, see your nature, attain the Tao and become a Buddha!”
Everyone had never heard such profound and clear Buddhist teachings, and they all understood it and were both respectful and surprised. They bowed happily, put their hands together and gave thanks.
The Sixth Patriarch continued: "Buddha is not mysterious. It can be said that the compassion of each of you is the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara; the one who abandons greed and practices generosity is the Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta; the one who can purify his own mind is the Bodhisattva Sakyamuni. Buddha; fair and upright, is Amitabha Buddha.”
The audience became more excited after hearing this.
The Sixth Patriarch scanned the audience and said: "Most of the people who came to listen to the Dharma today are lay believers. I want to solemnly tell you that learning Dharma and awakening to the essentials of Zen can be done at home, and you do not have to become a monk. When you are at home, If you practice sincerely, you can still understand your mind, see your nature, and achieve Buddhahood."
After the Governor Wei prayed with his hands together, he asked: "Master, how should I practice at home? I hope you can give me detailed advice."
The Sixth Patriarch said: "I will recite the "No Form Stanza" for everyone. As long as you practice according to this, it will be like being with the Buddha every day. If you don't practice according to this, even if you become a monk, there will be no benefit. Everyone: Listen to my stanza. ——
The Sixth Patriarch’s voice is like spring breeze and rain, nourishing people’s hearts:
Why bother to keep the precepts when your mind is calm?
What's the use of practicing meditation if you walk straight?
Kindness means honoring parents;
Righteousness means compassion for each other.
Giving way brings harmony between the superior and the inferior,
If you endure, there will be no harm done.
If you can drill wood to make fire,
The mud grows red lotus.
What tastes bitter is good medicine,
What is offensive must be true advice.
Correction will lead to wisdom,
He who protects his shortcomings is not a virtuous person.
Daily practice is beneficial,
Enlightenment is not achieved by giving money.
Bodhi is only found in the heart,
Why bother seeking mysteries from outside?
I heard that I practice this way.
Heaven is only for now.
After the Sixth Patriarch Huineng finished speaking this stanza, he still had more to say: "Everyone who has wisdom and knowledge must practice according to this stanza, understand your own nature, and directly achieve the Buddha's path. Buddhism cannot replace each other, everyone. Let’s break up the meeting first. I’m going back to Caoxi too. If you have any more questions, please come back and ask.”
At this time, Governor Wei and other officials, as well as the faithful men and women who attended the Dharma assembly, all understood and became enlightened, and exclaimed: "I never thought that a Buddha would be born in this remote place like Lingnan!"
