Li Bing heard Zhang Yuanshan ask about the meals of the monks in the temple, and couldn't help but say movingly: "Zen Master Kongming told me that monks practice, one meal a day, and no food after lunch. Noon is what we call 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and beyond this time, the monks who are truly practicing will never be able to eat, even if they are the hungriest. ”

Zhao Wan'er said curiously: "Li Bing, why is this?" Eating is also the energy to ensure the monk's cultivation, how can it be done if the physique is not guaranteed? ”

Li Bing said respectfully: "This is the rule set by the Buddha, after noon, everything eaten at that time is called a ghost meal." Monks are only allowed to eat one meal a day, no breakfast and no dinner, only lunch. Except for the old and sick monks, who are allowed to drink a little gruel in the morning by praying to the Buddha, no other monks are allowed to break this vow. ”

"Ghost meal?" , Zhao Wan'er said in surprise: "Is it true that everything eaten after one o'clock in the afternoon is called a ghost meal?" ”

Li Bing nodded and said, "Yes, that's what is stipulated in Buddhism. Therefore, activities related to the spirits, such as sacrifices, are performed in the afternoon or evening, not in the morning. Isn't it true that our ancestors worship in that area also offer good wine and food at night for the ancestors to enjoy? ”

He thought for a while and said: "Brother Zhang is a Taoist priest, he said that the yin qi on the night stalls is heavy, and there are often unclean things, which may also be the truth, after all, after Buddhism was introduced to Middle-earth, it and Taoism slowly complemented and merged with each other, in a certain sense, Buddhism and Taoism are one family, and the teachings are the same." ”

Zhang Yuanshan said: "Li Bing is right, the time when the night stalls are generally listed is relatively late, and the yang energy gradually disappears and the yin energy becomes heavier. At this time, many lonely ghosts began to wander. After most people die, the spirits of the dead return to the underworld, and only those who die horizontally cannot enter the underworld, and the souls of the dead wander outside. ”

"Those lonely ghosts and wild ghosts have no relatives to sacrifice, so they have basically become hungry ghosts. On the night stalls, the aroma is fragrant, which can naturally attract those lonely ghosts to come. Those lonely ghosts, although they can't see them, they can't see people, but they can smell the smell of food and drink and come to eat. ”

Zhao Wan'er stuck out her tongue and said in surprise: "Brother Zhang, do you mean that when we are having dinner or supper, there may be ghosts on the side at the same time?" ”

Zhang Yuanshan laughed and said, "It's this Li'er, Wan'er, don't you think you're surprised?" ”

Zhao Wan'er said suspiciously: "This is unlikely, right?" Why, then, do we eat but not see anything but what we eat? ”

Li Bing hurriedly said: "Wan'er, this is not difficult to understand. If you look at the temple, why do pilgrims burn incense to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas? The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, who have attained the path of great enlightenment, are beyond the Three Realms and are not in the Five Elements. Naturally, they do not eat the fireworks of the world, but only enjoy the incense offered by the world. ”

Zhao Wan'er asked puzzledly: "Li Bing, since you said that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are no longer in the Three Realms and Five Elements, then why do they accept the worship of the world?" ”

Li Bing sighed: "Buddhism is broad and profound, how can it be explained in a few words? Many monks may not have achieved anything until they pass away. I suspect that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are no longer obsessed, and the reason why they want to leave their appearances in the world and let their disciples build statues in the world for people to worship and burn incense for worship is actually not for their own enjoyment. ”

"The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are well aware of the hearts of the world, and the six roots are not quiet. Therefore, since people in the world like to worship and be worshipped, and like to see is believing, the Buddha and Bodhisattva leave a clay statue to be worshiped in the world. In fact, the purpose of doing this is to make the worldly minds of the world's people yearn for the pure bliss preached by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and to control the greed of the world's people with greed, so that Buddhism can be carried forward in the world and not be annihilated. ”

In this way, it is possible for those who are related to the Buddha to become enlightened and attain positive results. When they become enlightened, they can also promote the development of Buddhism, so that more and more people will believe in Buddhism and study Buddhism, and more and more people will become enlightened. This should be the Buddha's way of being compassionate to the heavens and persuading the world. ”

Zhao Wan'er exclaimed: "Alas, the metaphysics of Buddhism is unfathomable, and I can't understand it." Li Bing, I won't tell you, I'll still ask Brother Zhang. ”

Li Bing smiled: "Wan'er, you're right. The Buddha pays attention to the appearance, and the Taoist pursues the appearance. Just like if the world is in chaos, then the mission of Buddhism and Taoism is the same, and the way to make the world peaceful is different. The Buddha mainly persuades goodness, while the Tao is based on the practice of drawing symbols. To put it irreverently, Buddhism is like a theoretical study of science, while Taoism is more like a manufacturer of the results of Buddhist research into concrete products. ”

"Therefore, if someone dies in the people's family, when they do white things, the people with better conditions will generally invite the Buddha and the Tao to come and do things at the same time. The monk recites the scriptures and surpasses the soul; Taoist priests practice evil spirits and exorcise ghosts to keep people safe. ”

Zhang Yuanshan said happily: "Li Bing is right, I also know this reason, but I just don't understand." Wan'er, aren't you trying to verify my words? Come, I'll open your yin and yang eyes and let you see if there is anything unclean around this night stall! ”

Zhao Wan'er said uneasily: "Brother Zhang, don't bluff me!" Isn't it something you've already seen? ”

Zhang Yuanshan smiled and shook his head: "Wan'er, like you, I only saw three or four people eating supper there, and I didn't see anything else unclean." Although I know it very well in my heart, I am also a person who likes to eat supper, so I don't usually say this, because I am afraid that you will not be happy to eat supper from now on. ”

He grinned and said, "Wan'er, you Brother Zhang and I have no taboos. In the past, before I knew you, I just relied on making white things for people to eat. Although others say that we eat the food of the dead, but in the eyes of our Taoist priests, this food and money are all given by the living, and it has nothing to do with the dead. ”

Zhao Wan'er interrupted: "Brother Zhang, don't talk far." I'm curious to tell you, and I'd like to see if there's anything unclean on this night stall. But I suggest that you and Li Bing open their yin and yang eyes first, and if you see anything scary, just tell me, and I won't look at it! ”

Zhang Yuanshan said happily: "Okay, Li Bing, I'll open your yin and yang eyes first." ”

He took out the willow leaf wrapped in a handkerchief from his bag, and took out a vial containing the ox's tears. Zhang Yuanshan carefully spread out the willow leaves, dropped the ox tears in the vial on it, and then gently wiped it with his fingers.

He said to Li Bing slyly: "Li Bing, I'll wipe it for you first, if you find anything, don't scream, scare Wan'er!" ”

He glanced at Li Bing, walked to Li Bing's side, and gently smeared the ox tears willow leaf on Li Bing's eyelids a few times.