What does it mean to wash your hands and respect books?

Washing hands and honoring books not only shows respect, but also means that Buddhism moistens the heart through five fingers. This is the language used by Buddhists to copy scriptures by hand.

Washing hands is similar to "burning incense and taking a bath". After washing, it shows respect for books and Buddha. Wang Chong, a thinker in the Eastern Han Dynasty, wrote in On Riding the Sun on Balance: "The bather removes the first scale, the foot scale, the hands scale and the body scale."

The vernacular means: besides, "bathing" means washing the dirty things off your head. "Wash" is to get rid of the dirt on your feet, "wash" is to get rid of the dirt on your hands, and "take a bath" is to get rid of the dirt on your body. They are the same thing.

"Jing" means respect, and the word "Jing" in the bronze inscriptions of the Western Zhou Dynasty is mostly used to express seriousness and respect, and the meaning of "Jing" began to appear in the bronze inscriptions of the Spring and Autumn Period. The elegance and vulgarity in the Book of Songs are often used to express seriousness and respect. Later, "respect" also refers to polite dedication, pious worship, respect and so on.

Extended data

Buddhist scripture copying is different from ordinary calligraphy, and every step is practice. By concentrating on copying Buddhist scriptures, one can achieve a state of peace of mind and undivided attention. Writing the Heart Sutra is a process of spiritual purification, with both hands touching the surface of everything. Therefore, when copying the Heart Sutra, you must keep your hands clean and wash your hands, otherwise you will write dirty scriptures.

At the same time, copying scriptures should avoid messy handwriting. Writing scriptures means copying lofty scriptures word for word, so the prerequisite is that the font should be written neatly, preferably in block letters. Copying scriptures is not typing or scribbling. You should be single-minded, single-minded and accurate. Never write wrong words, or omit or repeat them.

Before copying, copy with the most pious and respectful heart, and it is best to look at it again. When you come, you will be safe. Zen says you should live in the present. When you come, you should copy it with the most sincere and respectful heart, and it is best to read it first. The most important thing is to persevere and not give up halfway, so as to cultivate your long-term diligence.