During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, there was a man named Li Wen who lived in a small town in the south of the Yangtze River. He was a devout Buddhist and would make incense offerings to the Buddha in front of the shrine at home every day, praying for the Buddha's blessing of safety and happiness for him and his family.
Li Wen's neighbor was a man named Zhang San, who was a non-believer in Buddhism, and often laughed at Li Wen for burning incense as useless, saying that he was a waste of time and money, and that he was an ignorant person. Li Wen did not quarrel with him, but said with a smile: "You don't believe in Buddhism, that's your freedom, I believe in Buddhism, that's my wish." Everyone has their own beliefs and choices, and as long as they don't hurt others, there is no right or wrong. ”
After listening to Li Wen's words, Zhang San felt that he was a weak and incompetent person, so he ridiculed him even more, and even sometimes deliberately spit or throw garbage in front of Li Wen's Buddhist shrine. Li Wen was not angry, but silently cleaned up and continued to offer incense to the Buddha.
One year, Jiangnan was hit by a once-in-a-century flood, when the river swelled, breaking down dikes and bridges, and flooding many houses and fields. Levin's town was also surrounded by floodwaters, and many people fled to higher places or by boat. Li Wen also wanted to flee with his family, but when he found that his shrine had been washed away by the flood, he was very sad and jumped into the water to find it. His wife and children desperately grabbed him and persuaded him not to take risks, but Levine did not listen and said, "I can't leave my Buddha statue, that is my life's faith and sustenance." Without it, I would have no meaning in life. ”
After Li Wen finished speaking, he broke free from his family's hands and jumped into the raging river. He braved the current and floating debris and searched everywhere for his Buddha statue. He searched for a long time but couldn't find it, and gradually lost his strength and sense of direction. Just as he was about to give up, he suddenly saw something glittering with golden light, floating on the water.
When he saw it, it turned out to be his Buddha statue. He was so happy that he swam over to grab it. But when he got closer, he found that the Buddha statue was not a real Buddha statue, but a huge lotus platform, on which was a small golden Buddha statue.
Li Wen was so surprised that he couldn't speak, he felt that this must be the manifestation of the Buddha. He hurriedly climbed onto the lotus platform and respectfully bowed to the little Buddha statue. Then he saw a miracle: the lotus platform actually began to rise slowly and fly in the air. Levine felt like he was in a dream, and he couldn't believe his eyes. He saw the floods inundating his hometown, he saw his family and neighbors crying out for help in horror, and he saw Zhang San also struggling in the water and begging him for help.
Li Wen's heart was in pain, he wanted to save them, but he couldn't do anything. He could only pray that the Buddha would bless them with peace. At this moment, he heard a kind voice ringing in his ears: "Li Wen, you are a kind person, you have a firm belief in Buddhism, you don't care about the rights and wrongs of the world, you don't resent those who hurt you, you deserve my protection." I asked you to sit on the lotus platform today to let you see a truth: everything in the world is a cycle of cause and effect, and all the good deeds you do will bring you good luck and happiness;All the suffering you endure will bring you growth and wisdom. Don't grieve over this flood, it's providence and cause and effect. You have to believe that everything will be fine. ”
When Li Wen heard this voice, tears welled up in his eyes. He knew that it was the Buddha who was speaking to him, and he felt immensely grateful and in awe. He hurriedly said, "Buddha, your compassion is boundless, and your wisdom is infinite. I dare not believe that you have such grace to a mortal man like me. I'm just an ordinary person, I just want to be a good person, I just want my family and neighbors to be happy and healthy. Please forgive me for my selfishness and foolishness, and please save them. ”
The Buddha also said, "Li Wen, don't be humble, and don't blame yourself. You've done a great job, you've outdone many. I already know your wishes, and I will do my best to help them. But you also have to understand that everyone has their own destiny and choices, and I can't force their will and behavior to change. I can only give them a chance and a revelation to choose and change for themselves. You have to believe that with kindness and faith, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome. ”
After listening to the Buddha's words, Li Wen felt a burst of comfort and clarity. He said, "Buddha, you are right. I see what you mean. I'm willing to follow your arrangement, please tell me what to do. ”
The Buddha said, "Li Wen, you can follow me now." I will take you to a safe and nice place where you will wait for the flood waters to recede. Then you can go back to your hometown, rebuild your home, and continue to spread the Dharma and good deeds. I believe that in the near future, you will see a new world, one full of love and peace. ”
Li Wen said, "Buddha, please lead me." I am willing to follow you to the ends of the earth. ”
The Buddha said, "All right, then let's go." ”
After saying that, the lotus platform flew faster, drawing a golden light in the air. Li Wen sat on the lotus platform and flew with the Buddha for a long time, and finally came to a high mountain. There is an ancient monastery with many monks and nuns, all dressed in red robes, holding prayer beads and chanting Buddha names. When they saw Li Wen and the Buddha coming, they all saluted respectfully and welcomed them in.
Li Wen got off the lotus platform, bowed to the Buddha, and said, "Buddha, this is **?."Who are these people?”
The Buddha said, "Li Wen, this is one of my dojos in the world, called Ciguang Temple. These people are all my **, they are all from the world, but they have all given up the distractions and desires of the world and have chosen the path of practice and compassion. They all know your deeds and admire your faith and good deeds. You can stay here in peace and wait for the flood waters to recede. ”
Li Wen said: "Buddha, you have been so good to me that you let me live in such a beautiful place. But I'm still worried about the safety of my family and neighbors, so please tell me how they're doing. ”
The Buddha said, "Don't worry, Levian, I've already arranged for some people to help them." You can see them here. ”
After saying that, the Buddha pointed to one of the walls of the monastery. Li Wen looked over and saw that a picture appeared on the wall, like a huge mirror. The picture shows a scene of his hometown, where he can clearly see that the flood water is receding, and he can see that his family and neighbors have been rescued and their homes are being rebuilt.
When Li Wen saw this picture, he was so moved that he couldn't cry. He said, "Buddha, you are so great, you are so compassionate. You not only saved me, but also saved them. You make me so grateful. ”
The Buddha said, "Li Wen, don't be modest. Actually, you also have credit. Did you know?When you sit on the lotus platform, you emit a wonderful fragrance. That aroma is the merit and good karma that you have accumulated over the years by burning incense to the Buddha. That aroma can drive away ** and calamity, can attract well-being and peace. When you fly over your homeland, the fragrance of your body is sprinkled in the water, in the air, on the land, in the hearts of people. Those who are affected by your fragrance are protected and favored. So, you are also their savior. ”
When Li Wen heard the Buddha's words, he was very surprised and ashamed. He said, "Buddha, please don't praise me. I'm just an ordinary person who doesn't have any merit or good karma. I burned incense to the Buddha only out of a pious heart, and I didn't think about asking for anything in return. I also didn't think about what my aroma would do. I really can't believe it all. ”
The Buddha said, "Li Wen, don't be humble. Your fragrance is a reflection of your heart, a symbol of your faith, and the result of your good deeds. You burn incense to the Buddha, not to ask for anything, but to give thanks and dedication. Your scent is your understanding and practice of the Dharma, your love and compassion for the world. Your fragrance is your nature and Buddha-nature, your wisdom and understanding. Don't underestimate yourself, you have reached a very high state, you are close to the Buddha. ”
When Li Wen listened to the Buddha's words, he felt a burst of shock and awe. He said, "Buddha, please don't praise me. I still have a lot of troubles and ignorance, a lot of desires and attachments, a lot of sins and karma. I am still far, far away from the Buddha, and I dare not dream of becoming a Buddha. ”
The Buddha said, "Li Wen, don't blame yourself. You've done a great job, you've outdone many. You still have troubles and ignorance, but you also have purity and brightnessAlthough you still have desires and attachments, you also have to give up and let goYou still have sins and karma, but you also have repentance and elimination. You don't deny yourself, you have to affirm yourself. You have to believe that everyone has the potential and possibility to become a Buddha, and as long as you have faith and hard work, there is nothing that cannot be achieved. ”
After listening to the Buddha's words, Li Wen felt a burst of encouragement and motivation. He said, "Buddha, please teach me." I am willing to follow you to learn Xi Dharma and practice to become a Buddha. ”
The Buddha said, "Li Wen, I am glad that you have such a wish. I'll do my best to help you. But you also have to know that learning Xi Dharma is not an easy task, and practicing to become a Buddha is not an easy thing. You have to put in a lot of time and energy, go through a lot of trials and tribulations, and overcome a lot of obstacles and confusions. Are you going to be ready?”
Li Wen said, "Buddha, please rest assured. I'm ready. I am willing to pay any price, as long as I can learn Xi Dharma and practice to become a Buddha. ”
The Buddha said, "Okay, then let's get started." ”
After saying that, the Buddha took Li Wen into the monastery and arranged a room for him. Then he told Li Wen: "Li Wen, from today on, you are my **." Every day, I will explain some basic Dharma to you and instruct you on how to practice and practice. At the same time, you must also abide by the rules of the monastery and live and Xi with other **. You should respect your teachers, love your peers, be diligent and hardworking, and be modest and prudent. In this way, Li Wen began his spiritual life at Ciguang Temple. He listened to the Buddha's explanations of the Dharma every day, learned Xi Buddhist scriptures and Zen principles, comprehended the nature of the Buddha and the Dharma, and practiced precepts and wisdom. He also cleaned the temple with other **, planted flowers and plants, burned incense to worship the Buddha, and chanted the Buddha. His life, though simple and uneventful, was full of peace and joy.
Li Wen practiced in Ciguang Monastery for three years, and his mind and realm have been greatly improved and changed. He no longer has any troubles and no more ignorance, no more desires and attachments, no more sins and no more karma. His heart became pure and bright, his wisdom became broad and profound, and his understanding became superb and complete. He has reached a state of transcendence, a state of nearness to a Buddha.