At one time, I liked Li Shutong's calligraphy very much, especially his classic calligraphy in the middle and late period of becoming a monk. Get rid of the requirements of ordinary calligraphy creation such as pen and ink formula and stippling, and reach the dull realm of mystery and ecstasy. Dongpo lay man said, "Gorgeous and plain". This "blandness" is like a breeze, a flood, which dilutes the deep silence and all the fireworks disappear. Those who have not reached the height of personal cultivation and meditation will never reach it.
Later, I carefully read several versions of Li Shutong's biography, including his personal poems and essays, artistic expositions and so on. And often lament or sit there staring blankly. This man, in the history of modern literature and Buddhism, is an existence that cannot be ignored, and, as a unique spiritual phenomenon, strongly constitutes an impact on the spiritual level of the world. But I didn't start writing any ideas. Although he is versatile, he is a pioneer of modern literature and art in China in the fields of drama, modern art, music and seal cutting. After becoming a monk, he worked hard as a master of Hongyi, and eventually became the first 1 1 ancestor of Nanshan Buddhism. Therefore, there must be a lot to write about. But because of this, the entry point is not easy to find. Until recently, I braved the cold and went to the Tiger Running Temple in Hangzhou where he became a monk to pay homage to his stupa and memorial hall. After returning to Shanghai, I fell ill again. I can lie in bed for a few days and do nothing, but it is good for the development of my mind. Gradually, I seem to have the impulse to write, and I understand that I only want to write about Li Shutong himself.
two
Mr. Feng Zikai, a disciple of Li Shutong and a late artist, whom I admire very much, once commented on his teacher with his deep understanding of Li Shutong and deep affection for his father and son: "He is a very human person"; Feng Zikai also said, "No one wants to be a human-like person at first, but later, because of the environment, habits, material desires, delusions and so on. He is often not very human. Among them, people who are nine points like people and eight points like people are great in this world, and people who are seven points like people and six points like people are also worthy of praise; Even those who are five points like people are already rare' upper class people' in recent society. People who are very human like Master Hongyi are rare throughout the ages. " He also modestly called himself "a person who doesn't behave like a human being."
Before becoming a monk, Li Shutong worked as an art and music teacher at Zhejiang No.1 Normal University in Hang Cheng, and saw how several students at that time evaluated him in the future:
"Mr. Hong teaches people without talking, and the main line of' teaching without talking' can probably be felt by anyone he has taught. Although he is usually very naughty, he naturally becomes serious and respectful when he meets him or enters his classroom, but he is not strict with students, but he is very amiable. This can really be said to be a personality influence. "
"Among our teachers, Mr. Li Shutong won't let us forget the most. He never frowns and always tells us gently like his mother. "
His colleague Xia Mianzun once said: "His strength comes from sincerity, so we have to admire him, but we can't learn from him." . Xia Mianzun believes that Li Shutong's sincere respect is closely related to his "Confucian cultivation".
Another example: Liu Zhiping, another student in Li Shutong, later became a famous music educator. After graduating from Zhejiang First Normal University, he studied in Japan. Later, there was a problem with the funding for studying abroad and I almost committed suicide in Japan. When Li Shutong learned about this, he did not hesitate to violate his consistent principle of being a man and sought help from various relationships, but all failed. Li Shutong immediately made a decision: give part of his salary every month to support Liu Zhiping. At that time, his salary was/kloc-0.05 yuan, and he had to take care of his family in Tianjin and Shanghai, so he divided his salary into four parts: 40 yuan in Shanghai, 25 yuan in Tianjin, 20 yuan himself and 20 yuan in Liu Zhiping. In order to let Liu Zhiping study with peace of mind, I specially wrote him a letter, stating three points: first, this is a gift based on the feelings of teachers and students, not a loan, and will not be repaid in the future; 2. Never tell a third party about the grant, and never mention it to your family; Three, the funding period until Liu Zhiping graduated. It is touching that Li Shutong has already drawn up a date for becoming a monk, but for the sake of Liu Zhiping's tuition, he has to postpone and continue to teach in Zhejiang No.1 Normal University to ensure that Liu Zhiping can tide over the final difficulties. This is a teacher who is about to escape into an empty door, showing a deep sense of secularity to the students who have graduated.
Please forgive me for having to quote these words and historical facts, because Li Shutong's "human touch" can only be felt by those who have experienced it personally, and we can only feel deep envy and regret from the bottom of our hearts. Envy is that they are so lucky to live beside Li Shutong and feel his quiet spiritual personality and silent teaching; Unfortunately, in the materialistic and selfish social environment, we have lost so many traditional values that people have no time to take into account the problem of "being a bit like a person" in the loss of spirit and the pursuit of the outside world, because the road to the initial heart is almost covered. Therefore, the clarity of Li Shutong is as clear and transparent as moonlight, which is unforgettable.
three
After becoming a monk, Li Shutong's cultivation of moral integrity naturally became an aid to practice, especially in his strict observance of precepts.
He has changed from a rich boy and a talented young man to a real ascetic. Maybe we must give a few examples to prove this point:
Xia Mianzun, his former colleague and lifelong friend, invited Master Hongyi to visit his hometown Shangyu and arranged for him to live in the dormitory in chunhui middle school where he taught. When Master Hongyi opened the bedroll, spread the old bedding on the bed with a broken mat, folded some frocks as pillows, and then took out a black and torn towel to wipe his face by the lake, Xia Mianzun couldn't help it, and proposed to change a new towel for Master Hongyi, but Master Hongyi said: Near noon the next day, Xia Mianzun sent a bowl of rice and two bowls of vegetables, and saw Master Hongyi eating with relish, as if enjoying a good meal. He had mixed feelings and saw that everything in the world was not beautiful and useless to Master Hongyi, but as a person in the world of mortals, he felt uncomfortable eating anything and was often upset. What's going on here?
Most of Master Hongyi's daily necessities after becoming a monk were brought before becoming a monk. After ten or twenty years of sewing, he was reluctant to throw it away. He often picks up some pieces of cloth from the garbage, takes them back as treasures, washes them and mendes his rags. Others took paper to let him write. When he finished writing, he returned the remaining pieces of paper after cutting, and refused to waste any.
Once he went to Qingfu Temple in Wenzhou, where he ate with a pair of chopsticks. Later, when he returned to Hangzhou, he found that he had brought these chopsticks back by accident, and immediately asked a layman to send them back to Qingfu Temple. On another occasion, he was invited by Zhanshan Temple in Qingdao to give a lecture on Nanshan Dharma for monks. Before noon on the first day of his arrival, the host sent four cooked dishes to his hut. As soon as his chopsticks don't move, he will take them off and send in a slightly worse dish, but he still won't eat them. Subtracting two dishes for the third time is still useless. Finally, I had to send a bowl of popular dishes. Master Hongyi asked if everyone ate this. If everyone eats this, I will eat it too. Otherwise, take it back.
This is a photo of Master Hongyi after he became a monk. Although he is a generation of eminent monks, he is content with a poor life, devoted himself to studying Buddhism, and cultivated his mind with extremely devout faith. It should be noted that it is not easy for even people who believe in Buddhism to do this. The value of Master Hongyi is that he is a very real person first, and can't tolerate any pretense and falsehood. Secondly, he is a self-disciplined person. For a time, he was invited by all parties to give lectures in various places and was warmly welcomed. However, he became more and more uneasy and conducted a profound self-reflection. He was worried that doing so would lead to fame and fortune, violate his duties as a family member and affect his own practice, so he closed himself up for a few months and restrained himself.
In terms of social interaction, Master Hongyi has always adhered to the principle of not interacting with powerful officials. After becoming a monk, his reputation in Buddhism has been continuously improved, which attracted many dignitaries to come to see him, in order to see the true face of Master Hongyi, but Master Hongyi made rude remarks. Once in Qingfu Temple, Yin, a local Taoist, visited them several times, but failed to see them. The owner of the temple came to Master Hongyi's room with his business card and urged the local governor to see him on the grounds that he was left out in the cold. Master Hongyi told him tearfully that he became a monk not for food and clothing, but for life and death. He was always afraid to avoid this kind of entertainment, hoping that the elders would fulfill it and worship for a long time. The elders had no choice but to send the officials away.
Think of some cultural celebrities today, who usually show off in front of people and are "proud", but when they see "big officials", that is, their legs are weak, their faces are full of smiles, they try their best to curry favor with them, blowing and beating, patting and lifting, which is really obscene! Sometimes I wonder why this bureaucracy is pervasive. Even cultural people who should keep independent thinking and stick to their own tastes want to get some bureaucracy and use official prestige to gain some personal gain. In the final analysis, this is a defect of the system and a direct reflection of the serious lack of spiritual personality.
Master Hong Yi looks down on powerful people and vulgar people, but he respects very ordinary people. According to statistics, after he became a monk, he wrote nearly 20 biographies and epitaphs for ordinary people, almost all of his words. A large number of calligraphy banners and couplets he has been making are given to people with good relationships, such as old friends, lay people, students and monks, purely to promote Buddhism, without personal gain. For people who come to the door to ask for words, even if you are a driver selling pulp, he will always promise that the pen is a book; But for bourgeois bureaucrats and people who are eager for fame, even if you wear out your mouth, you can't say a word.
Today, we all know that Master Hongyi's calligraphy has high artistic value and collection value. The original calligraphy of Master Hongyi photographed by major auction houses can be described as a rare treasure, which is regarded as a treasure by collectors.
four
Outside the pavilion, beside the ancient road, the grass is blue. The evening breeze blows the flute, and the sunset is beyond the mountain.
The horizon, the horizon, intimate friends are half scattered. A ladle of muddy wine makes me happy. Say goodbye to Meng Han tonight.
This is a very popular song written by master Hong Yi. Every time I hum this familiar melody, a feeling of grace, desolation and desolation comes to my mind and lingers for a long time. His ancient road is soft-hearted, his literati feelings are gradually spread out in this shallow and seamless flow, his wisps are intertwined like spring vines, and he is like a wave of sadness.
Human nature is hard to change. I never believe in "reinventing myself". Some things can run through a person's life, but they will not be separated. Today is yesterday. Master Hongyi, whether in the early, middle or late stage, can be called a pure scholar with conscience, character and deep influence of traditional values. His becoming a monk can not be simply understood as avoiding the world, but to answer the proposition of life and realize the fullness and perfection of the soul world. From a certain point of view, Li Shutong and Master Hongyi are the same, except that one hides in the secular world and the other swims in the spirit of Brahma Buddhism, but his noble personality and compassionate nature span the two and are consistent. Therefore, Li Shutong, as a "person", can always cover Master Hongyi, as a monk, or the latter is the ultimate life of the former. But it is precisely because of the abrupt transformation between the two that people at that time and later generations were puzzled. Liu Yazi, Ma Yifu, Xia Mianzun, Jing Hengyi and his students all expressed such feelings. Especially his Japanese wife, after meeting her husband who became a monk by the West Lake, felt the pain of irreparable separation between people, so she returned to Japan sadly and never saw Li Shutong again. With the extension of Master Hongyi's becoming a monk, some people asked him to be secular. People close to him can only accept this fact and realize that Li Shutong's becoming a monk is not a perceptual choice, but has profound internal reasons. It was Feng Zikai who worshipped him all his life. He attributed the teacher's becoming a monk to the inevitable conversion from material and spiritual levels to the soul level. He thinks that Li Shutong has a strong "desire for life", and staying in the first two levels has made him unsatisfied, so he can only break free and seek a higher landing. I think this is the most incisive explanation of why Li Shutong became a monk.
I noticed that many cultural celebrities at that time almost admired and wept when they paid tribute to Master Hongyi. They know very well that if Li Shutong had not become a monk, Li Shutong would have surpassed many fields of modern literature and art in China, and he was the originator of several fields (for example, it is well known that Liu Haisu was the first person to introduce models to sketch in China, but Li Shutong actually used this teaching method in Zhejiang No.1 Normal University one year earlier than Liu Haisu, which even Liu Haisu himself admitted), but he gave up without mercy and took it as a garment. Is this the genius Li Shutong in a suit and tie? It is sad enough to ask this question from the heart.
Li Shutong didn't want to shock others, but everyone who saw him was shocked.
Before the death of Great Virtue, a monk, there are usually a few words for people to see, and so is Master Hongyi. Only four of them were recorded:
Ask Shi, Kuol. Man Chun of flowers, full moon of heart.
In the end, he refused to take medicine and food, but recited the name of Buddha and explained the funeral with the dying request of Pure Land Sect. Before he died, he wrote the words "mixed feelings of sorrow and joy". The word "sadness" is crying, and the word "happiness" is dancing. The intersection of the two is life.
His story has not been finished yet, and will not be finished, because what he left to the times has surpassed the times from the beginning.