I remember when I was 19 years old, the teacher of Buddhist College recommended me to study Chinese studies and signed me up, but because Master refused, I had to give up. A few years later, one of my works was approved by the doctoral class of the Institute of Literature of Taisho University in Japan. Although the admission procedure has been completed, it has not been completed for various reasons. Although I lost my dazzling academic position in the secular world, I found a broader world in the "half" of Buddhism and became an envoy to preach the truth on behalf of the Buddha. The so-called "missing a chance, harvesting a mulberry" is originally "50-50" on earth. We don't have to force ourselves to get ahead in a certain field because there is another world waiting for us to explore.
It is because of this understanding that I have always been glad that I was born with poor handwriting and no fluent eloquence. Because if I am talented and good at showing off my talent, I may just continue to study hard on my own talent. At best, I am just a monk who enjoys a high reputation in calligraphy, and I can't work hard in other aspects to benefit all beings. If I am gifted and have no knowledge of language, I may give a speech on the stage all my life instead of developing the potential of administrative planning. Or I use my eloquence to spread Buddhism everywhere, ignoring my deep understanding of righteousness, so I can't tell Buddhism in simple language and substantive language. The so-called "talent envy", "beauty unlucky" and "half and half" world seems to be imperfect. In fact, it is the most beautiful gift in the world. We should look at it with joy, because we know that we are only "half", so we will be humble and strive to make progress; Knowing that you are only "half" will go further.
I have studied Japanese four times and taught myself English, but none of them succeeded. Fortunately, I have a basic knowledge of China literature, and I have taught many monks and nuns by giving lectures and writing. Now I go to various countries to speak French, and all my disciples are scrambling to translate it for me. Even my works have been translated into various languages and spread all over the world. Therefore, we don't have to envy other people's "half". Most importantly, we should cherish our "half" strengths and use them to gain the fruits of our efforts.
Father Ding Songyun of the Catholic Illuminati once said to me: "If you grow up in the west, you will definitely become a priest;" If I grew up in the East, I would definitely become a monk. Although human beings have different races and occupations, we can also make contributions to mankind as long as we are willing to follow the cause and devote ourselves to our own "semi-"world.
I grew up in the south of China, where the food is rice, but I have a northerner's personality and can get used to the northern pasta. When I was a young student in an ancient jungle temple, I often walked hundreds of miles of mountain roads and went to various places to help Buddhism. Unexpectedly, decades later, I often take various means of transportation by land, sea and air, sitting for more than ten hours, traveling around the world, giving lectures and spreading the law. Because these "half and half" experiences, no matter where I go, I can feel at ease and not be fettered by "half"
Nevertheless, when two "half" worlds conflict, I must weigh the gains and losses and make a choice. For example, I like quiet and far-reaching, but I deeply cherish all my desires. After several struggles, I decided to give up my hobby of seclusion and go to the society to serve the people. I have lived a simple and simple life since I was a child. In recent years, due to the kindness and care of my disciples, I have built beautiful houses and provided me with delicious food. However, I think the life I enjoy may not be perfect, so I would rather enjoy myself in a simple tea and rice day. Although giving up "half" makes the other half richer, I feel more fulfilled than sorry.
People often say, "You Buddhists don't pay attention to the beauty of clothes and food, and you don't know how to have fun. Is life too negative and boring? " Is eating and having fun a positive outlook on life? As the saying goes, "I have Buddhist music, not secular music." Buddhists deeply understand the vanity of five desires and six dusts, so they come back from the debauchery of dogs and horses and engage in the work of practicing Taoism and benefiting students. Isn't this life more aggressive and meaningful? For the sake of fame and fortune, many people in society only know how to compete for the "half" of the world in front of them, while ignoring the "half" of the vast world behind them. As a result, the more they push forward, the narrower the doorway will be, and eventually they will be bruised and smashed into pieces. Is this happiness?
Looking back 30 years ago, I witnessed many fellow initiates go to the metropolis to preach Dharma, so I went to the mountains to run a school alone. I didn't expect that I trained many monks and talents, which was more effective for the spread of Buddhism. 10 years ago, I retired from the post of abbot, but I have more time to develop international Buddhism. The engine uses the backward power, but triggers more kinetic energy; The more compressed the air, the stronger the explosive force. As the old saying goes, "Take a step back and think about it." . It is the blind spot of human obsession.
Although the world behind the "half" is boundless, as long as we hold lofty ideals and make unremitting efforts, the world in front of the "half" is of great significance even if it is full of difficulties. For example, in 1969, scientists spent countless efforts to launch a spaceship and send Armstrong to the moon. Although it is a small step, it has made mankind on earth take a big step towards the universe. It can be seen that whether we jump into the first half of the world or step into the second half of the world, it will have a great impact, so we have to use our brains and be cautious about the choice of the other half.
I remember that thirty or forty years ago, when my works "The Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha" and "The Master of Yulin Buddhism" were adapted into movies and radio dramas, people in the education circle were shocked. They think that writing Buddhist stories into scripts is undoubtedly blaspheming the sacred Buddhism, and I have never been moved. However, it was found that more and more people were exposed to Buddhism in society, so they gradually followed suit, which invisibly promoted the Buddhist art in Taiwan Province and improved the cultural level. Many people say, "A good beginning is half the battle. However, from this perspective, as long as we are willing to gain a foothold, a bad start can also create a good "other half" in the future.
I was deeply moved by a case of Zen Buddhism: a Zen master accepted a bad apprentice and did evil in the temple, but repeated persuasion failed. One day, other disciples couldn't bear it any longer. Together, they came to the abbot's room and petitioned the Zen master: if he was not moved, everyone had to leave the Dojo. The Zen master replied, "If even Buddhism can't accommodate him, wouldn't it be more harmful to banish him to society?" Disciples felt ashamed when they heard this, so they gave up their original ideas. Under the influence of compassion, the bad apprentice gradually became better. Looking around my disciples, there are many people who practice hard. Under the guidance, they have now become the elite of Buddhism. Mahayana belief theory divides a heart into two parts: the false heart that wants to live and die will gradually become an empty and clear heart. Therefore, although there are "half" good people and "half" bad people in the world, good and evil are not absolute as long as good people are willing to guide and persuade with great patience.
Last year (1994), when the TV series Emperor Taizong was broadcast on TV, Ms. Zhou You, the producer, and a team of photographers came to Taipei Dojo, hoping that I would say something to recommend the drama at the beginning. At that time, I knew I would be laughed at, but in order to make more people in the entertainment circle tend to Buddhism and Taoism, I reluctantly agreed and praised Tang Taizong's wise and decisive decision. Sure enough, I later received phone calls and letters accusing the mage of not doing commercial advertisements. In fact, I have never received a penny, nor have I engaged in commercial activities. Moreover, Emperor Taizong is indeed a famous gentleman, but it is already a word difference. However, it turns out that my sacrifice has paid off. Ms. Zhou You's future films really pay attention to the causal view of Buddhism and advocate the cultivation of good and the destruction of evil, which has a subtle influence on the purification of the public mind.
Vimalakīrti tuas went to restaurants and casinos to attract all beings with ingenuity and convenience; When the Buddha practiced in the underground branch, he also committed the crime of killing in order to save 500 businessmen from thieves. The "half" in the world belongs to the Buddha, and the "half" belongs to the demon; "Half" is positive and "half" is evil. However, as the saying goes, "the righteous will practice evil methods, and evil methods will also become positive;" The evil person corrects the law, and the right law becomes evil. " We must use wisdom to gain insight into this "half and half" world. If you can't tolerate half of evil and purify half of evil, you should choose goodness and stubbornness, stick to the "half" of Buddha and the "half" of righteousness, and don't be confused by the other half of evil spirits.
The "half" outside the bread is hard crust, and the "half" inside is soft heart. Some people like to eat in first, and then eat out. Some people like to eat out first, and then eat in. I belong to the latter. Sometimes thinking about it is nothing more than a reflection of my outlook on life. Life has a bitter "half" and a happy "half". I like to suffer first and then have fun.
Looking back 40 years ago, because we insisted on promoting the ideal of Buddhism through culture and education, although we were hungry all day, isn't the prosperity of Buddhism in Taiwan today the result of our efforts that year? On the other hand, at that time, because they could not stand the suffering of life, they flowed into the common people. Although they don't worry about food and clothing, most of them have accomplished nothing and regret it. Now I'm getting old, and I just had a heart operation. Although many disciples knelt down and begged me to rest, I still came from south to north with the scar of surgery, because I knew that personal temporary efforts would bring eternal happiness to all beings.
With the progress of the times, women's consciousness is rising, and "gender equality" has become one of the topics that the public is keen to discuss. Many people ask me, how do the parents of "half man and half woman" in Foguang Mountain make two groups of people live in peace? I think: Generally speaking, women are patient and careful, men are tolerant and open-minded, and each has its own advantages. From the beginning, I just tried to create an equal monastic environment and give them half different jobs according to their different personalities. Because there are differences in equality and equality in differences, it is natural for everyone to respect each other and cooperate with each other. In addition, I have planned monasteries for men and women in the East and West Mountains, so that they can have half of their leisure space after work. Keep your distance psychologically and essentially, and it is not easy to cause trouble.
On the expressway, draw a line in the middle so that the vehicles on the left and right sides will not collide; Draw a yellow line and you won't overtake; It will be safer if a safety island is set up. In the parking lot, if the gap between cars is not enough, cars can't get in and out freely. Similarly, if people get along with each other, if they can leave half space for each other, not only will there be no conflict and friction, but they can also maintain proper communication and produce complementary effects, thus creating a harmonious society.
Buddhism has "half" in Southern Buddhism and "half" in northern Buddhism in terms of its spreading location; There are two ways to spread Buddhism: half of Zoroastrianism and half of esotericism. There are "half" Buddhists at home, and there are also "half" Buddhists at home. Someone once questioned me: Will these differences bother Buddhism? In fact, if our mind and vision are broad enough, these "half and half" can make Buddhism more colorful. Just like the five senses on our face, with the nose as the center line, it is divided into left eye and right eye. Half in the left ear and half in the right ear. If we make good use of the "half and half" on both sides, we can achieve the effect of macro-listening; However, we only have one mouth and no other half, so it is the easiest to start a business.
I advocate equal emphasis on spreading from the south to the north, and the integration of Buddhism and esotericism; I formed a well-organized monk group for monks and nuns and a well-organized religious group for my disciples.
When eating, I often only carry the first half of the dishes and leave the second half to the people at the same table. I always cut a melon and a fruit offered by a believer in half, eat "half" myself and share the other half with others. Set up the Dojo, and when I finish the construction of the first half, I will hand over the development task of the second half to my disciples. Jesuits set up the "Home of Kindness" in Yilan, and I took over and continued to develop it in 1962. In Zhonghe Guang Zhi Middle School, I did a little bit with Master Nan Ting and Master Wu Yi, and the remaining "half" of school affairs was expanded by later generations. We don't have to do everything, leave "half" to future generations to play, and let everyone share the process of hard work. Wouldn't it be better?
I have faced death many times in my life and have been hospitalized twice in the past five years. From the pain of life and death, I have a different understanding of life. For example, some of my friends and believers have always been strong, but they are hopeless; Some people are weak and sick, and their lives are like hanging silk, but they live long. Some people, although some parts of their bodies are disabled, other parts of their organs are particularly developed; Although some people have big ears, big eyes and all limbs, they turn a blind eye, turn a deaf ear, act excessively and behave badly. In this world, although there are "half" healthy people and "half" unhealthy people, they all have their unique advantages and disadvantages. The same is true of things in the world. It is impossible to be perfect, so we don't have to be perfect. Just let go and we will be happy.
Li Mian once wrote a poem "Half and Half" in Qing Dynasty, which can best express the carefree state of "half and half":
He who sees through the floating life is half a hundred, half a life is boundless, half a broken year is long, and half a mile is dry.
Half a country, half a country house, half a mountain, half a water, half a country, half a farmer, half a scholar, half a poor man, half a married man.
Half elegant and half thick utensils, half medium and half solid, half plain and half light, half frugal.
The footman is half able and half clumsy, his wife is half simple and half virtuous, and his heart is half Buddha and half fairy. His surname is Shimada Hanzo.
Half return to heaven and earth, half submit to the world, half think about future generations and mulberry fields, and half think about what Yamaraja thinks of them.
Half drunk and half open, half sail to avoid capsizing, half rein in.
Half is stingy taste, half is anti-entanglement, and half is related to each other, which will only take half of the advantage.
Once upon a time, Zen master Yaoshan pointed to two trees in the courtyard and asked his disciples, "How is Rong?"? It is best to do it. " There are three answers:
"Good tolerance," said Daowu. 」
Yunyan said, "Well done. 」
Finally, Gao said, "The glorious glory should be withered. 」
What a "glorious one, glorious one, withered one"!
In spring, red flowers and green leaves complement each other; In the midnight sky, the stars and the moon meet and feel the vastness and greatness of the universe even more. As long as we know how to respect, tolerate, reconcile and balance each other, we will find that the "half-and-half" world is really beautiful!