Hongfa Zen Temple is located halfway up the mountain in Xujiagou Village, Ansai. This is a place outside the world, but it is located in a noisy place. It is surrounded by farmers and residents. There are market vendors just down the mountain. The monk master's place of residence is also a place where men and women come and go. The only good thing is that you can go up a mountain and overlook the secular world. There are white clouds above your head, dense trees all around, and the wind blowing. It has a unique and pure atmosphere, which is very suitable for reading.
I once visited this place with a friend, and came across a religious ceremony. It was an ordination ceremony for some short-term monks. The abbot in charge was named Daoxi. He was young, full of energy, and could recite scriptures. It's like a dragon roaring. After listening to it for a long time, your body and mind can gradually calm down.
I once looked at those lay people and guessed what their purpose was for becoming a monk this week. Is it really possible to temporarily escape the troubles of reality, let go of worldly matters, and seek inner peace? There was a lady who was suffering from illness. Listening to her words, it seemed that after taking refuge, her mind became open-minded and her body recovered day by day.
I don’t agree, but I don’t reject such a clean atmosphere. After get off work, I walk alone and always come here unconsciously. This kind of walk can be regarded as exercising, and at the same time, I can let go of some worries. I was sitting on a stone bench in the pavilion. The deserted temple courtyard seemed solemn and comfortable. I opened a book and read it slowly. It wasn't until the sky darkened that I couldn't see the words clearly. Then I slowly got up and walked towards the dormitory. go back.
Once, a friend joked that I was most likely to cheat and make mistakes when I was enjoying myself alone. After I defended myself, I suddenly realized that my life trajectory was so simple. The office is on the second floor, and the dormitory and kitchen are on the third floor. Going to work, getting off work, and eating are all on the line. There is really no motivation to make mistakes. My spare time after work is just reading books and surfing the Internet. I can adapt to such hardships. Maybe I am quiet at heart and like a quiet life. Or maybe I have a connection with Buddha?
Many people have mentioned that I have the appearance of a Buddha. Including that year when I went to Guangxi to attend a PEN conference, a woman from Yunnan who was traveling with me was reserved for a long time, and finally couldn't bear to tell me that no matter how she looked at me, I looked like a Buddha. I laughed it off. The fat man, with his big belly, big face, and smiling face, looked a bit like Maitreya Buddha.
At that time, I did not think about becoming a monk. I am tired of hearing about many famous people becoming monks. I always feel that they are just putting on a show and tarnishing Buddhism. Later, I also heard about some ordinary people converting to Buddhism and learning about Buddhism. I even suddenly heard that someone around me had given up alcohol and meat and converted to Buddhism and became a lay person who led Buddhist practices. Only then did I realize that many people have their own difficulties and sufferings that they cannot understand and cannot escape from. Being a monk has become a way and a way to put down the worldly affairs and focus on being a Buddha. The six roots are pure, the four elements are empty, sorrow and joy are undisturbed, and the heart is Peace is a kind of sublimation and detachment of life. Therefore, I understand that as a monk, everyone has their own ideas. It doesn’t have to be understood by others, as long as you know what you are doing.
I once visited Xiangji Temple, a temple that became famous because of Wang Wei's poem "Passing Through Xiangji Temple", which fascinated countless literati and Buddhist laymen.
I don’t know Xiangji Temple, but I can reach Yunfeng within a few miles.
The ancient trees are untraveled, and there are no clocks in the mountains.
The sound of the spring is swallowed by dangerous rocks, and the sun is cold and green.
In the dusk, the empty pond is singing, and Zen is used to control the poisonous dragon.
I stood in front of Xiangji Temple, looking at Zhongnan Mountain in the distance, silently reciting Wang Wei's poems in my heart, and feeling the tranquility. The poem explains that only by overcoming evil thoughts and delusions can one realize the profoundness of Zen and appreciate the tranquility. As a layperson, I cannot reach such heights, but I have tried very hard to be indifferent and non-controversial. In the temple, listening to the recitation of the Buddha's name, the dust all over my body fell one after another. I became like a baptized child, my body purified, my soul purified, spotless. In my mind, I actually hoped that I would be like those stone statues, just like that. It took me a thousand years to become a virtuous monk, but I immediately rejected my thoughts. I couldn't keep the six roots pure. There were some things I could let go of, and some things I couldn't let go of. No matter how many hardships, frustrations, and pains I experience in this mortal world, I am still willing to walk in this mortal world, experiencing both pain and joy, searching for hope, guarding happiness, and completing my responsibilities and missions. Although becoming a monk can lead to transcendence, it will harm others, which is not in line with the wishes of Buddhism.
Master Daoxi also said that it is best to become a monk before getting married. He became a monk right after graduating from high school. Because I am a secular person, I dare not ask him too much about some things. After all, I don’t understand some taboos in Buddhism. I don’t want to say the wrong thing because of my curiosity or greed to know something. It would be bad if it caused him embarrassment and anger.
I recently watched the new version of the TV series "Water Margin" and re-reviewed the plot of the novel. In order to escape the pursuit and accountability of the government, Lu Zhishen and Wu Song had no choice but to become a monk and seek refuge. It turns out that as soon as you become a monk, your old self dies and your new self is reborn. This seems to deceive oneself and others, and relieve one's responsibilities, but if a person can really change his mind and start a new life through becoming a monk, then it is really a great act of kindness.
So, will I become a monk one day and live my life again? I think this is just a fantasy, but you can learn to become a monk for a short period of time, live the life of a monk, and purify your soul. Even if you fall into the world of mortals step by step after seven days, the realm and quality of your life will be different from others. Comparable.
I tried to ask Master Daoxi of Hongfa Zen Temple, and he said that not everyone can become a monk for a short period of time. You must first convert to Buddhism and become a lay Buddhist before you are eligible. As soon as I heard this, there was no hope of doing anything. It seems that becoming a monk is not an easy task. Fortunately, there does not seem to be any clear boundaries between being a monk and being a monk at home. As long as you are dedicated to doing good, do not do evil, abide by laws and morals, and be kind to others, you are actually a monk at home.