When I was in Shaolin Temple, I heard from Master Yongxin that several of his disciples were studying in Beijing, and one of them was called Yanzang, which was really amazing. It is said that he was studying several graduate students with different majors at the same time, and it was not entirely related to Buddhism. This aroused our strong interest: Shaolin Temple is famous for its martial arts, and Zen is far from it. Why is Yanzang still reading these irrelevant books?
In this windy afternoon in Beijing, we invited Master Yanzang to the teahouse. Yan Zang method is dignified and solemn, and people are actually very easy-going. He said that to tell the story of my Shaolin disciple, we must start with the master-
He was still very young when he went to Shaolin Temple. He found Master Yongxin and showed his intention to learn from him. Seeing that he had a good figure, the master thought that the other wanted to learn martial arts and decided to send him to the nearest martial arts school to learn kung fu. But the young monk said I didn't want to learn martial arts, I wanted to learn Zen. The master asked why, and the young monk said bluntly, won't you die after learning kung fu? This unprepared answer made everyone around the master laugh, but the master did not laugh. He simply said, I don't have Zen here.
The young monk was disappointed, thinking that he had found the wrong place, he angrily went out and stayed in the room to be determined arranged by the master, feeling depressed. But unexpectedly, in a few days, the master accepted him. That day, the master called the young monk to the abbot's room and asked him what dharma number he wanted to give himself. The young monk is very clever. Seeing a copy of the Tripitaka in the master's closet, he said, I want to bring a Tibetan character. The master said, well, from today on, you can call Yanzang. The young monk was filled with joy, and the master accepted me! My name is Yanzang! Master found some Buddhist scriptures for him to read and asked Yanzang to be his waiter. Since then, Yanzang has been with the master.
He was puzzled, because he heard that the door of Shaolin Temple was not easy to enter, and Master Yongxin never accepted disciples easily, but he could accept them himself. He must have touched his master in some way. What is it? Later, as he read more and more books, he understood that what he said casually that day turned out to be very Zen! And the master's phrase "I have no Zen here" is also a profound Zen French! Amitabha! "Living without a fixed mind", which may have been the Buddha's fate in a previous life, has now become the root of wisdom.
Yanzang found that the master was very busy all day, but he meditated and practiced martial arts every morning and evening. Moreover, at midnight, he always reads books under the lamp and often takes some notes. This surprised him-the abbot of Shaolin Temple not only meditated, practiced martial arts and handled daily temple affairs, but also kept reading and studying. The master told him that learning itself is not important, and we should train our hearts as a kind of practice. The young monk felt very fresh when he heard this for the first time. Reading is actually a kind of practice! Later, Yanzang gradually discovered that Master had another habit, especially like going to bookstores. Every time I go to a foreign activity, I go to the bookstore first when I have time. Yanzang learned the first thing of practice: visiting bookstores.
Yanzang was by Master's side every day, serving tea and sweeping the floor ... After a long time, I began to feel: I came to Shaolin Temple to study Zen, but I did these things all day? It's really boring
The abbot saw his mind and said six words: clean up and deal with it.
What does this mean?
The master said: sweeping the floor is not just sweeping the floor, but sweeping your heart and mine, which is the corresponding precept of Buddhism; By sweeping the floor and fetching water, you can gradually understand the rules and know how to advance and retreat, which corresponds to the fixed study of Buddhism; Coping is answering, which can produce wisdom in communication. This is the wisdom of Buddhism. Therefore, some small things must not be underestimated.
Yanzang suddenly realized that when Shaolin came, he saw the words "quit wisdom" hanging in the meditation rooms of many wizards. He guessed that he must have a high level of cultivation to get in touch with them. After listening to Master's words this time, it turns out that there is such a profound truth in such a simple thing. It is really a bodhi! He felt as if he had suddenly understood, and he has been engaged in these little things very seriously for the next few years. Yanzang loves this quiet life deeply. I really don't know where he got the blessing to follow Master every day. He even wants to be with Master all his life.
Soon after, a decision of Master broke his comfortable life-sending him to Minnan Buddhist College. Yanzo didn't want to go at first. Later, master said that it was not enough for you to stay with me all the time. You should visit more famous temples, get in touch with some monks and virtues, and improve your self-cultivation. Yanzang left the master in tears and went south. He studies hard and pays attention to communicating with wizards. However, there are unexpected events in the sky, and people are doomed. He was in Minnan Buddhist College for less than a year, and the admirable dean, Master Miao Zhan, died. With the death of Master Miaozhan, Yanzang returned to Master Miaozhan with his last words "Don't forget that there are still many people suffering in the world".
Yanzang feels that this trip to the south has calmed his mind a lot. He stayed with Master, but his knowledge and understanding of Master deepened unconsciously.
Shaolin Temple is famous, and many people want to visit Master Yongxin. However, it is impossible for a master to meet so many believers. When some tourists come to see the master, it is inevitable that they will have some grievances. At this time, he always simply said, let nature take its course, at least I haven't done enough. This made Yanzang see the master's tolerance.