At that time, the abbot of the Faxing Temple in Guangzhou was the Facai Zen Master, and Master Yinzong was invited by him to give lectures. Master Yinzong is famous for his mastery of the Nirvana Sutra, and is respected as the first master of Lingnan. He was originally from Wu County (Wu County, Jiangsu) and became a monk since childhood. In the first year of Xianheng (670 AD), he traveled to Jingluo. Tang Gaozong was impressed by his morality and practice, and personally issued an edict to invite him to abbot Dajing Ai Temple. But he didn't care about this great glory and walked away. He went south from the capital to Huangmei to meet the five ancestors Hongren Master, and was very tempered by a Zen machine and edified by the edge. Later, he came to Guangzhou and gave a lecture on the Nirvana Sutra at the Dharma Temple. By chance, I met Huineng.

Accompanied by Yin Zong, Facai and other senior monks, Hui Neng walked towards the abbot.

On the way, the old monk who had participated in the battle of the wind flags suddenly sighed; "The robe handed down by the five ancestors is really magical, just like this spring breeze blowing in the face, the world becomes colorful and green when it blows gently, and it is particularly beautiful."

How could Hui Neng not hear his voice, smiled lightly, and said, "What does the mage mean is that Hui Neng relied on the mantle of the Five Ancestors to receive such a grand welcome and reception, right?" ”

The old monk said: "Since ancient times, the mantle and the Dharma have been taught at the same time. The mantle is something outside the body, and the Dharma is the secret evidence of the heart. Although we had already worshiped the robes just now, we didn't know who had received the will of the five ancestors. Is it you, Master Shenxiu, or someone else? It is said that Master Hongnin has ten disciples. ”

Huineng stopped and looked into the eyes of the old monk. The old monk was shocked and lowered his head. Hui Neng saw that cold sweat was oozing from his forehead, and said lightly: "Those who understand the Dharma have to go." The old monk asked unwillingly: "Then may I ask the master, have you got it?" Hui Neng unexpectedly replied, "I don't know the Dharma!" Hearing such an answer, the old monk didn't know what to do. Fortunately, the chamber arrived, and Yin Zong and Fa Caili invited Hui Neng into the room. Everyone was polite and sat down. Ying Xing and Fakong were busy making tea and pouring water. He specially put a spoonful of white sugar into Huineng's teacup and mixed it into a cup of sweet tea.

Master Yinzong took a sip of the teacup, coughed lightly, and asked Huineng: "Dare to ask the Sixth Patriarch, although Zen Buddhism preaches outside the teachings and does not establish words, but I wonder if you can reveal a little bit of the instructions made by the Fifth Ancestor when he handed over the mantle to you?" ”

Hui Neng knew in his heart that Master Yin Zong was inspecting him. So, he also took a sip of tea and said calmly: "Master, the old man only talked about some issues of clarity of mind, but did not talk about the principles of meditation and liberation. ”

The old monk couldn't help but interject and said, "This is also called teaching the Fa? Huineng said solemnly: "This is the method that directly points out people's original mind, allows us to see our own inherent Buddha nature, and then becomes a Buddha!" Master Yin Zong was puzzled and asked, "Why don't you talk about the principle of attaining liberation through sitting meditation?" Huineng said, "Because meditation and liberation are two methods, not the Dharma. Buddhism is the only way. "What is the only way to do the Dharma?" Please ask the Master to give a detailed explanation. Hui Neng said to Master Yinzong, "Master was going to talk about the Nirvana Sutra today, right?" A few years ago, I discussed the Nirvana Sutra with the Endless Tibetan Nun in Cao Xi, and I knew a little bit about it. I distinctly remember that Buddha-nature was repeatedly spoken of in the scriptures. The nature of a Buddha is the only way to dharma. For example, the Bodhisattva asked the Buddha and asked, 'Some people kill, steal, cheat, do all kinds of evil, kill their parents, destroy the Three Jewels, and do not believe in cause and effect and do not repent, are such people cut off the good root and Buddha nature?' The Buddha replied, 'There are two kinds of good roots, one is eternal and the other is instantaneous; However, there is no such thing as eternal and instantaneous Buddha nature, so Buddha nature is continuous, and this is called the only way. The five precepts and ten virtues are good, and the five rebellions and ten evils are evil, but there is no difference between good and evil in Buddha nature. ’”

The old monk who loved to lift the bar seemed to have found some flaws in Huineng's words, and asked: "There is no distinction between good and evil, and people will not become grass and trees?" ”

Hui Neng Cheng Zhu said with a smile: "You are right, people who study Buddhism are not like plants and trees, not to distinguish between good and evil, but not to be happy and flattered because of good people and good deeds, nor to be resentful and angry because of evil people and evil deeds, let alone to judge and observe things based on their own likes and dislikes, interests and disadvantages. Those who study Buddhism should face the world with the intention of equality and non-difference, so that all beings and things can be presented as they are. Therefore, the Diamond Sutra says, 'The mind should be born without dwelling.'" I wonder if you think so? ”

The old monk nodded sincerely this time.

Huineng went on to say, "Buddha-nature is a realm that is far away from eternity and transience, beauty and ugliness, good and evil, and is completely beyond distinction, which is the only dharma. ”

Master Yin Zong couldn't help but be overjoyed, clasped his hands together, and said loudly, "Amitabha! The words of the six ancestors, the poor monks sounded like drinking sweet springs, and the taste was only known to themselves. It is a poor monk who is confused, in fact, this is the only way, the "Vimala Sutra" has been very clear, but a leaf of obscure, not to see Mount Tai, by the six ancestors of the teaching, suddenly enlightened. ”

At this time, Ying Xing, who had been listening, jumped out and said thoughtlessly: "You stupid people are still known as the descendants of Zen Buddhism, how can you forget the second ancestor Hui Ke?" ”

So, everyone immediately remembered a long-ago story.

Bodhidharma Patriarch taught Zen in Songshan Shaolin Temple for nine years, and there were four main disciples: Dao Deputy, Dao Yu, Bhikshuni Chief and Hui Ke, who broke his arm in order to seek the Dharma. In order to understand their state of practice, Patriarch Bodhidharma asked each of them to talk about their experience of meditation over the years.

The Taoist deputy spoke first: "In my opinion, not setting up words, not leaving words, is the wonderful use of Zen. Bodhidharma said, "You have learned my skin." The chief bhikshuni said, "As far as I understand, it's like a Buddha who sees the immovable Buddha kingdom in the East in meditation, and he understands it as soon as he sees it, and he doesn't need to see it again. Patriarch Bodhidharma nodded slightly: "You have learned my meat." "Dao Yu has followed the master for many years, and the Zen essentials taught by Patriarch Bodhidharma, such as "Bodhidharma Four Elements View" and other works, were recorded and sorted out by him. He said, "The four essences are void and the five aggregates are non-existent, so in my opinion, there is no way to attain it. Bodhidharma smiled and said, "Yes, Zen is the communication between the heart and the heart, and there is nothing to be gained. You learned my bones. At this time, Hui Ke stood up, walked up to the master, folded his hands, bowed, and then silently returned to his place.

Master Bodhidharma laughed heartily because of this, and frequently bowed his head and said, "Okay, good! Hui Ke, you have finally lived up to the meaning that I came from the western heavens. Only you can truly appreciate the essence of Zen! ”

The essence of Zen is formless, formless, indescribable, incredible, and cannot be explained in any words. However, our Zen mind is clear and functioning all the time. Whether it is a gesture or drinking tea and eating, it is a manifestation of the mind. Therefore, Hui Ke's series of movements, such as namaste and bowing, are all demonstrating the wonderful use of Zen to the Master.

The old monk who had been raising the bar for a day with Huineng and others high-fived and said: "Yes, yes, Hui Ke, the second-generation patriarch of Zen Buddhism, has also demonstrated the only method in front of the Bodhidharma patriarch." If I hadn't been fortunate enough to listen to Master Huineng's teachings today, I am afraid that I would never have understood it in my life. The master asks for forgiveness for the great disrespect of the disciples. ”

Saying that the old monk wanted to kneel down and apologize, Huineng hurriedly grabbed him: "Old Master, why are you doing this?" The mirror is not polished, and the truth is not clear. Buddhism is the most egalitarian study, and I hope we will explore it more in the future. ”

Master Yinzong stood up, walked to the front of Huineng Seat, and said: "My Yinzong lectures are to move bricks and tiles, and the master says that every word is more precious than gold. I was fortunate to listen to the teachings of a generation of patriarchs in my previous life! I implore the master to stay in this temple for a long time and guide the monks to study and practice. ”

Huineng said with trepidation: "You are the first master in Lingnan, and the Faxu Temple is the first temple in the south. ”

"Sixth Patriarch Master, if you want to propagate the Dharma smoothly in the south, there are no obstacles, and it will be smooth sailing, you must have a solid foundation. It is our honor to be able to lay a foundation stone for you. As he spoke, Master Yinzong and the monks couldn't kneel.

Huineng also knelt in front of Yin Zong and kowtowed and said, "Buddhism respects the Sangha. The Sangha Treasure is a symbol of the continuity of the Buddhist path. The disciple is still a layman, and it is really a sin to let the master worship! Please hurry up and don't torment the disciples. ”

Yin Zong was willing to get up, knelt on the ground and said: "Although the Sangha treasure is important to Buddhism, it is only a form. Being a monk is important, but being a monk is even more important. The heart never forgets the suffering sentient beings, and the body works tirelessly to improve them, so that the body and mind are diligent, and only then is the true monk. Yin Zong is ashamed of himself compared to the master. After saying that, Yin Zong bowed down again. Huineng had no choice but to bow down.

Seeing that the two of them called each other disciples and bowed to each other, the infant who came to add tea laughed: "Is there a lot of rice on the ground?" Look at the two of you, it's like a little old rooster grabbing rice to eat! ”

Hui Neng and Yin Zong looked at each other and smiled, helped each other up, and walked to the chair hand in hand and sat down. Huineng took the tea that Ying Xing had renewed, took a sip, and said sincerely: "Eighteen years ago, although my disciple was loved by the Fifth Patriarch Master and entrusted me with the mantle, he had time to become a monk in the future. Now, I think that my fate has come, I wonder if my disciple has the honor to ask Master Yin Zong to shave my title for me? ”

Master Yinzong laughed: "It is an honor for a poor monk to be able to bless the six ancestors. However, how can I be the master of the Six Ancestors? ”

Huineng said: "Only when you are a monk and a monk in your heart can you really become a monk." The disciple follows the master to become a monk in order to promote the Dharma and ask the master to fulfill it. ”

Master Yin Zong thought for a moment and said, "In this way, I, as the shaver master of your hair ceremony, is a form that cannot be omitted. But I have a small condition, please agree to the sixth ancestor. ”

"Please."

"Although you insist on apprenticeship according to the law, you are a generation of grandmasters, and your morality and learning are above those of poor monks. Therefore, when shaving, I am your teacher; After you became a monk, you became my teacher. You must allow me to serve the Master as a son. ”

"This ......"

Ying Xing said: "You Buddhist monks, just go and learn the "Book of Rites" from Confucius!" Where do you get all these politenesses? I can't see it! ”

"Baby, don't be too presumptuous, let the six ancestors laugh."

Hui Neng smiled and said: "Baby, your name is so good, you really deserve to be a baby." ”

"You know the allusion to my name, too?"

Huineng nodded: "The Buddha said in the Nirvana Sutra that the practice of the Bodhisattva has an innocent, upright and upright infant behavior. May you always keep this honesty and innocence. ”

Ying Xing was rarely praised, and he was so happy that he got carried away and said, "You are the first one I discovered, therefore, you must make me a great disciple." ”

Master Yin Zong joked with him: "If you are a big disciple, what about me?" The baby picked up the teapot and ran away.

Huineng turned to Yinzong: "Master Yinzong, the matter of shaving ......"

"Okay, let's decide like this, the auspicious day for the six ancestor masters to shave their ordination will be set on the fifteenth day of the first month!"

"Dang, dang, dang......" The loud bell rang, and all the monks of the Dharma Temple gathered at the ordination altar under the Bodhi tree from all corners. Believers rushed to the Dharma Temple from all over the world to witness the ordination ceremony of a generation of patriarchs.

The temple is decorated with lights and decorations. On both sides of the road, there are various colored flags, large and small. One hundred and seventy years ago, the Bodhi tree planted by the master of wisdom medicine was even more lush and vibrant; The inscription on the stone tablet under the tree has been re-depicted, and the prophecy words of the master of wisdom medicine one hundred and seventy years ago are like gold cast, shining brightly.

East Tuya, West Tuya, Bodhi Sacred Tree Spiritual Root is not two; The wind moves, the flags move, and the Zen Dharma must be passed down in one line. The sun is shining, and the majestic hall is solemn. Bursts of elegant Sanskrit singing linger among the flowers and trees, whirling between heaven and earth. In the main hall, hundreds of oil lamps are lit together, and in the sandalwood incense, the golden Buddha Shakyamuni on the Buddhist altar smiles happily, holy and kind. Kneeling in front of the Buddha statue is the pious Hui Neng.

Master Yin Zong held a razor and shaved Huineng's hair one by one. Under the light, the long hair fell one after another. Huineng burst into tears, and in the blurred eyes of tears, the kindness of his mother, the pain of his father, and the back of the five ancestors...... Scenes passed before his eyes...... After shaving, at the invitation of everyone, Huineng sat on the throne inlaid with gold. He was dressed in a robe handed down from his ancestors, and his whole body radiated with wonderful brilliance.

Master Yin Zong said excitedly: "Two hundred and fifty years ago, the prophecy of Master Navarman, the prayer of Master Zhiyao one hundred and seventy years ago, has finally come true today. This is a grand event that has not been seen in the Buddhist world in the south for thousands of years, and it is a blessing for all beings in the world! Nan Wu Six Ancestor Master! ”

All the monks and laymen knelt down with Master Yinzong: "Master Nan Wu Six Ancestors, Master Nan Wu Six Ancestors!" ”