"Anyone who is in our Dongchan Temple, whether he has become a monk or a handyman who has not yet been ordained; No matter how high his status in the temple is, it is still very low; You can write down the state of mind that you have realized after many years of practice in Zen verses. If anyone's verses best express the nature of the Buddha, the essence of Zen is the highest, and the state is the highest, the ancestor will pass on the secrets of Zen to him, and the sacred relics of Zen Buddhism passed down from generation to generation, such as robes and mantles, will also be taught to him. That is, in the future, that person will be the sixth generation of our Zen masters. Remember, what you do has to flow out of your own nature, and it is useless to think about it. Because people who truly realize Buddha-nature can show it in their words. It is a natural manifestation, not a deliberate carving or seeking. Alright, let's go ahead and do it. After the fifth ancestor finished speaking, he left the main hall and returned to the abbot's room.

This incident was too sudden, too heavy, and the monks consciously or unconsciously gathered in groups to discuss it.

Indeed, the words of the five ancestors really made all the monks and laypeople in the Dongchan Temple very excited, and set off an uproar.

How many winter nights when the wind blows the old trees and the snow hits the cold windows; How many hot and difficult summer days, facing the red fish and green chime, facing the green lights and yellow rolls, and facing the hard work, everyone is inspirational and painstakingly cultivated, in order to become a great tool and achieve positive results......

Now, when the opportunity comes, how can they not stir up waves in their hearts that have always been like still water!

In the hall, in the meditation room, in the monk's house, in the mill, in the vegetable field, under the linden tree...... In every corner of Dongchan Temple, monks of all sizes have their own ideas:

Some people feel that their literary talent is low, and how to write is not as good as the "Throne" senior brother Shenxiu, so they are too lazy to use their brains;

Some people are flipping through books, meditating, and searching for dry intestines without a word;

Those who are lazy to read on weekdays can only hesitate and sigh;

Those who have a little literary talent are troubled by the fact that they cannot write verses that provide insight into the Zen machine......

Yingyin, Huiming, Faru, and monks with a certain status in the temple gathered together, and what they were talking about was, of course, about the five ancestors were about to pass on the mantle.

"Senior brothers, have you thought about it?" Yingyin's mouse-like eyes glanced at the people present, and asked with ulterior motives.

Hui Ming said, "Master said, it is useless to bother and think about it, and you must realize Buddha nature. I searched for a long time, but I couldn't find my Buddha nature. ”

Ying Yin said, "Then you don't want to be the Sixth Ancestor?" Wow, if you can inherit the mantle of the master, the monks of the whole temple have to listen to the call, no, not only the Dongchan Temple, but also the whole Zen forest, all the Zen monks, all have to look at your horse, really majestic, really glorious! ”

Hui Ming pouted: "Just like you, a burning bear, you also want to become the sixth generation patriarch of Zen Buddhism?" Dream your big dreams! ”

Yingyin's infinite fascination and infinite longing were broken, and he said unconvinced: "What's wrong with me! Isn't it just disfigured? Second Ancestor Hui Ke only has one arm! ”

Faru said, "Yes, there is a distinction between north and south, but there is no difference in Buddha nature. Human nature has nothing to do with appearance. ”

"Yes." Shadow Hidden came to the end. However, it suddenly occurred to him that Faru's words were repeating what Huineng had just said when he came to Dongzen Temple. As a result, his disfigured and distorted face took on a grotesque look.

Hui Ming saw that Yingyin's face was wrong, so he changed his words and said: "Senior Brother Yingyin, you are also a figure with a head and a face in the temple, so please read a poem and listen to it for everyone." ”

"I can't do it, can you? Listen to it! Shadow sneered.

Hui Ming didn't have so many fancy intestines, and said honestly: "I'm not like you, literate and hyphenated, proficient in the world." Before I became a monk, I was a four-rank general, and I only knew how to fight, kill, and kill, but fortunately, I was converted by my master and converted to Buddhism. I just want to get rid of my bad karma, and then I will be satisfied if I don't fall into the evil path in my next life. ”

The polite middle-aged Zen master Xuan Zhen said: "The Buddha said, put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the ground." Senior Brother Huiming, why do you want to be self-indulgent. ”

Hui Ming said: "Senior Brother Faru, you and Senior Brother Xuan Zhen are both proud protégés of the master, and among the top ten disciples, you are all qualified to inherit the mantle of the master, you should give it a try." ”

Faru said: "I thought of a song, but I don't know if it's good or not. ”

Xuan Zhen also said: "I have practiced for many years under the guidance of Master and his old man, and if I don't understand Zen at all, then I will really eat fasting in vain." Therefore, I also have a few words in my belly. ”

The monks said, "Don't cross the river with your beard in your hands—be modest!" Speak up and listen, and everyone will judge. ”

As soon as Fa Ru wanted to speak, a seven or eight-year-old little novice, the child who often followed Shenxiu, rushed to say: "I think you all don't waste your efforts, what you have done can surpass Shenxiu's seat?" ”

When the monks heard this, they fell silent.

Fa Ru sighed and said, "Yes, I'm really a ghost, how can I forget my senior brother!" Sins, sins. ”

Hui Ming said: "Before Shenxiu became a monk, he read poetry and books, was erudite and well-informed, and was proficient in Confucianism and Taoism. After he became a monk, he continued to improve, and the master admired him very much, and once said that none of the seven or eight hundred monks in the whole temple could compare to Shenxiu in the study of Buddhism. ”

Xiao Shami said: "The mantle of the five ancestors was originally a divine show! ”

Xuan Xun also sighed, as if relieved, and said helplessly: "It's okay like this, it's logical, naturally, so that everyone doesn't accept each other, and it hurts the harmony for this." ”

Ying Yin said in a sour tone: "Yes, who can compare to him, he is the master's favorite disciple, and the first in the temple, besides the master, he is him." It's close to the water! ”

Fa Ru Zhengse said: "You can't say that, the senior brother's character, knowledge and Taoism can be called the first in the whole temple, and he alone has the qualifications to become the sixth ancestor." Otherwise, if anyone is changed, including my Faru, some monks in the whole monastery will inevitably be dissatisfied. ”

After speaking, Faru's afterglow glanced at Xuan Zhen. At the same time, Xuan Zhen was also aiming at him.

Hui Ming said: "Yes, I don't think everyone should do anything to themselves! Die to this heart! Shenxiu is our teacher, and most of the Dharma we know is taught by him. Who can compare to him except Master? ”

He glanced at Ying Yin, and then said, "If someone uses other means to get the mantle, I, Hui Ming, will be the first to be unconvinced. Rob, I'm going to give Shenxiu a seat and snatch it back! ”

Fa Ru nodded: "The position of the future patriarch is none other than Senior Brother Shenxiu." In the future, I will follow him and continue to practice. ”

All the monks were convinced, and they all said yes.

……

As the first elder brother of Dongchan Temple, Shenxiu, who was already a talented and elegant person, became the first disciple of the five ancestors after entering the empty gate, and often performed his duties on behalf of the teacher, and his understanding was quite high. He knew that this was the most critical moment in his life, so he gathered several of his closest confidants to the back of the big rock.

Shenxiu chose this place with an eye: this big rock is two or three feet high, surrounded by tall camphor trees, and it is even more secluded in the middle of nowhere.

Shenxiu's tone was subtle: "Everyone, you are my best junior brother in Dongchan Temple, and you are also my most confidant friend. Today, the decision of the five ancestors to ask for the person who passed the lamp in verse, everyone knows what it will mean? ”

Hong De said loudly: "Senior brother, don't worry, your literary talent is enough to overwhelm everyone, there are more than 800 people in the whole temple, who dares to compete for power?"

Zhang Xingchang and others are also echoing.

"I'm not afraid of 10,000, I'm most afraid of what if." Shenxiu's eyes flashed a swaying wave of light, "There are so many monks in Dongchan Temple, from all over the world, each with their own thoughts, and dragons and snakes are mixed. We should be cautious and cautious. ”

Hui Ming: "Senior Brother means-"

Shenxiu made arrangements on the spot: "We should monitor some of the elders and monks in the temple who usually show their talents, and pay attention to their movements. ”

Hong De asked inquiringly: "It's also a good thing that the senior brother is careful. I wonder who the senior brother thinks are potential competitors?"

Shenxiu counted his fingers and pointed his name: "I see, Elder Huaqing, Zen Master Likong, Zen Master Defa, Zen Master Huayu, Shanxin, Shanquan...... And Huineng. ”

Hongde contemptuously: "What, do you mean the kudzu fang who does the hard work in the rice room?"

Shenxiu nodded: "Yes." ”

Hong De smiled and said, "Senior brother, you are too worried. ”

Shenxiu: "What do you mean by that?"

Hong De disagreed: "He is an illiterate layman, and before he came to Dongchan Temple, he was just a firewood boy in Lingnan." ”

"You can't look down on him like that." Shenxiu's voice was a little vigilant, "Everyone, do you still remember the day Hui Neng first entered Dongchan Temple eight months ago?"

Hong De grabbed it with a word: "I remember, he said in public that the fifth ancestor said the wrong thing, and I slapped him on the spot and gave him a dismount." ”

Zhang Xingchang: "I said that Senior Brother Hongde played well. ”

Shenxiu recalled: "Hong De, you slapped him so hard, I saw that the roots of his teeth were oozing blood, so I can infer how painful he was at that time. But he forcibly endured it, and there was no sign of resistance, which shows that his restraint is very good. ”

Hong De grinned: "As soon as he opened his mouth, he dared to say that the master was wrong, so rude, I think, the master has long held a grudge." ”

Shenxiu: "Master has always been generous, open-minded, and knows how to make good use of others, not the kind of villain who holds grudges because of trivial things. ”

Hung De: "This ......"

Shenxiu recalled: "Do you remember? His remarks when refuting Master are indeed extraordinary, and they are not comparable to mediocre people!"

Hui Ming argued: "Writing verses is not like carrying water and chopping wood, you can rely on strength and diligence alone. What it needs is culture, literacy! ”

Hong De: "Senior brother, it is necessary for you to guard against him. But don't step on the taro pod as a snake, and make yourself restless to sleep. ”

Shenxiu looked serious: "In short, let's just pay more attention." Come, we will divide the labor and monitor Hua Qingkong and others. ”

Shenxiu and his group of people were secretly discussing behind the big rocks.

……

"Senior brother Shenxiu's worries are not unreasonable, and as a result, Huineng became the sixth ancestor of Zen Buddhism with a poem 'Bodhi has no tree, the mirror is not a platform, there is nothing originally, where to stir up dust'. The five ancestors were afraid that Huineng's qualifications were still shallow and difficult to convince the public, so they asked the six ancestors to retreat south, hide when they meet, and stop when they meet, so as not to attract the disaster of killing. Soon, the five ancestors also passed away. When Huiqing said this, he looked at Zhang Shaofei sadly, did not wait for him to speak, and then said, "After the five ancestors drove the crane to the west, the temple was in chaos, and a group of monks with ulterior motives such as Ying Yin took control of the Dongchan Temple, and issued a death order to block the news that the six ancestors and the five ancestors had passed away, and sent the warrior monks to chase down the six ancestors Huineng, and chase the robes and golden bowls back. ”