bullyxtreme 160
160
Chapter 1 Sixty Great Merit?The cave in the inner courtyard!
As the incense was inserted into the incense burner, the blessing ceremony finally came to an end.
The monk said: "The three donors can now enter the back room to have meals."
After finishing the fasting meal, you can go home, which can be regarded as completing your trip to Gexian Mountain.
When I came to the fasting room, a scent of fragrance hit my face.
The room was filled with the smell of sandalwood, and tourists in twos and threes had already sat down and began to taste the vegetarian meal.
The vegetarian meal is very simple, just a bowl of ordinary rice with some tofu and cabbage, without any oil.
Of course, the main purpose of inviting someone to a vegetarian meal is to get the other person to pay merit money. There is no clearly marked price for eating here, and it is up to the donor to decide how much money to give.
Most people usually give them a sufficient price for so-called merit or to buy psychological comfort.
Lin Ran was sitting next to two monks, who were drinking porridge and discussing Buddhism.
Listening carefully to what they discussed, it turned out to be Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism.
Although he has never studied Buddhism systematically, Lin Ran has visited Buddhists in various places and has done some research on different living methods.
The purpose of Mahayana Buddhism is to save countless sentient beings to the other side, while Hinayana Buddhism is more about self-improvement and liberation.
Theravada Buddhism maintains the legacy of Sakyamuni and emphasizes ethical teachings.
Mahayana Buddhism accepted the ideas of heretics and revised the teachings of Sakyamuni. It regarded Buddha as a god with different incarnations and boundless magic power, promoted miracles, and created idols for worship.
The existence of Gexian Temple is undoubtedly the inheritance of Hinayana Buddhism.
The two monks were obviously discussing Taoism!
"Wu Yu, can you understand the true meaning of putting down the butcher's knife and becoming a Buddha immediately?" the old monk asked.
The younger monk shook his head: "Master, this disciple is stupid and cannot understand."
"What's wrong?" the old monk asked.
"Ordinary people need to go through 81 difficulties before they can be saved, but evil people only need to put down the butcher's knife to become a Buddha. It is so unfair to ordinary people." The young monk said with some dissatisfaction.
The old monk smiled and said: "This butcher's knife is not that butcher's knife. The comparison is the flower in your hand. Do you think it is easier to put down the flower in your hand, or is it easier to put down the butcher knife?"
The young monk was still puzzled.
At this time, Lin Ran finally understood.
The old monk in front of me probably only read half of the Buddhist teachings. After all, during the anti-disruption movement some time ago, countless monks returned to secular life, Buddhist scriptures were destroyed, and a large number of Buddha statues were also destroyed.
There are very few people who can stay and understand the Buddhist scriptures.
Even though the monk in front of me is of a certain age, he may not be as old as Lin Ran when he is studying Buddhism!
Lin Ran asked politely: "Two masters, I heard that you are discussing Buddhist scriptures. I wonder if I can participate?"
The old monk smiled and pointed to the empty seat next to him: "We welcome all people with lofty ideals who are interested in Buddhism."
Lin Wanjun looked at Lin Ran in confusion, trying to stop his impolite behavior.
But his mother held him back. Since the monk allowed it, there was no need for them to stop him.
The young monk was a little dissatisfied. He was disturbed by others in the process of seeking Taoism. If it weren't for the fact that he was a Buddhist, he would have really wanted to kick Lin Ran out directly.
Lin Ran also saw his impulse and smiled: "Putting down the butcher's knife and becoming a Buddha immediately is not what it seems on the surface."
"Oh? What advice does the donor have?" The old monk expressed interest.
Lin Ran said: "Nowadays, people often misunderstand the meaning of this sentence."
"Most people believe that everyone has Buddha nature, and those who do evil can become a Buddha by abandoning evil and doing good. Therefore, putting down the butcher's knife and becoming a Buddha immediately has become a classic statement to persuade evildoers to stop doing evil." Lin Ran explained road.
The old monk stroked his beard with satisfaction, and his opinion was the same.
"In fact, it is not that simple to put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha immediately." Lin Ran once visited Shaolin monks, and they explained the true meaning of this sentence.
"Putting down the butcher's knife here does not refer to the murderous butcher's knife, but malice, evil words, and evil deeds. The real meaning of this sentence is to let go of delusions and attachments, only then can one transcend the physical body and become a Buddha."
After finishing speaking, Lin Ran remembered the etiquette of the eminent monk, clasped his hands and closed his eyes and said Amitabha.
The two monks suddenly understood and started to recite Amitabha Buddha.
Later, the old monk smiled and said to Lin Ran: "This donor is young, but he has unique insights into Buddhism, which is really valuable!"
Lin Ran smiled sheepishly: "Master, it's funny!"
When the old monk asked about his origin, he thought he was a disciple who had returned to secular life from another temple, but he looked too young.
Later, I learned that he came to pray with his mother.
They then discussed some content about Hinayana Buddhism. They could only say that the monks in this temple paid too much attention to business, resulting in their understanding of Buddhist scriptures being very superficial.
Of course, it may also be because of the shabby relationship some time ago.
After the Dharma discussion, Lin Ran saw his mother and sister finishing their fast meal, took out ten yuan from his pocket and put it into the merit box.
You must know that most people put into the merit box only one or two yuan. The villages near Gexian Mountain are poor mountain villages, and those who can put out a few yuan are already very good.
In addition to Lin Ran's research on Buddhism, the old monk invited Lin Ran as a guest and said with a smile: "Donor, do you have any ideas about joining our temple?"
Lin Ran was frightened when he heard the old monk's invitation.
Are you kidding me?The colorful world is charming, but he doesn't want to shave his head.
What's more, my parents are worldly Buddhas, so why bother traveling thousands of miles to worship at the Lingshan Mountain?
So decisively refused.
After my mother and sister finished their fast meal, they went to the hall to worship Buddha and chant sutras again.
Lin Ran had lost interest and thought of the monk he met in the hall earlier, so he asked: "I heard that your temple is undergoing renovations recently, but it is not going well. What's going on?"
Hearing this, the old monk said: "Ten years ago, an earthquake destroyed our temple. Fortunately, God Ge Xian was not destroyed in the earthquake."
"The temporary temple we built now has lost its original charm. If the owner wants to see it, I don't mind taking you there."
"Then it's better to be respectful than to obey." Lin Ran happily agreed.
He had no interest in praying, but if he could see the temples hundreds of years ago, it would be a worthwhile trip.
Arriving in the backyard, a collapsed temple suddenly appeared in front of Lin Ran.
This temple has red bricks, black tiles, and two Buddha's horns, which makes it look somewhat majestic, but it's a pity that it's half collapsed now and looks lifeless.
The door was completely damaged, and the sloping door could only allow one person to pass through.
"Can I go in and have a look?" Lin Ran asked the monk next to him.
"Donor, please be careful not to touch the doorpost."
There is no joint liability in the temple now. If something happens to Lin Ran, it has nothing to do with them, so he agreed with the idea of a destined person.
Generally speaking, this belongs to the inner courtyard, and outsiders are of course not allowed to enter.
But Lin Ran was a destined person and had "great merit", so he was qualified to make an exception and enter!