With the revival of Baolin Temple, the reputation has risen, and Zen monks and pilgrims from all over the world have come to visit, among them, there are those who learn Buddhism and practice; There are those who come to see the style of the six ancestors; There are also people who stay in the temple to do chores...... The real one is: pedestrians are like crucian carp, the popularity is boiling, a good scene of peace and prosperity, and incense is prosperous. Among the many people who came to Baoling Temple, there was a strange and somewhat mysterious old monk.

He had many scars on his face, which, combined with the imprints of the years, made him look a little distorted and somewhat deformed.

He was silent all day long and never came into contact with people; He didn't chant the scriptures, he didn't listen to the Fa, he just carried a big broom every day and cleaned the long road in front of the Baoling Temple.

In the second year of Yifeng (677) In the spring, on both sides of Cao River, the plum flowers are snow-white, as if covered with a layer of snow on the green slope, which also adds a bit of elegance and holiness to the Zen Gate.

At that time, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty believed in Buddhism, so the officials and people all over the country were also extremely eager to Buddha.

Shaozhou Wei Thorn history is also very believed in Buddhism, in the beginning of the first yuan, a sunny spring day in the spring flowers, personally led more than ten subordinates to Baolin Temple, asked the six ancestors Hui Neng to Shaozhou Dafan Temple, for everyone to open the Dharma.

At the entrance of Caohou Village, Liu Zhiluo and Cao Shuliang were talking about ancient ...... with a group of young descendants and daughters in the village under a large banyan tree at the entrance of the village

At this time, Shaozhou Wei Tingshi, sitting in a sedan chair, followed by dozens of entourage officials, walked along the main road.

"Another dignitary has come to find the Sixth Ancestor Master." Liu Zhiluo looked at Cao Shuliang, who was talking about Gu Zai, and said.

Cao Shuliang looked up, "Oops! This is the sedan chair of our Shaozhou Thorn Shiwei. Master Wei is a good official, especially sympathetic to the people. ”

Liu Zhiluo said: "Oh, it's the parents! However, the Sixth Patriarch Master did not even accept the emperor's invitation, let alone slap these magnates. ”

They watched Wei Tingshi and his entourage walk towards Baoling Temple.

Surrounded by his entourage, Wei Tingshi came to the guest hall of Baolin Temple. Hui Zhan hurriedly went to the abbot and asked the master to come forward to greet the parents.

After a while, Fada and Fahai walked in serving the six ancestors.

Wei Tingshi stood up and bowed: "Master." ”

The Sixth Patriarch returned the salute and said: "Lord Wei came to our temple, and he was disappointed. ”

Wei Tingshi said: "The lower officials didn't dare to alarm the master's law driver, so they took the liberty to come without notification. ”

The Sixth Ancestor motioned and said, "Lord Wei, please take a seat." Hui Zhan, look at the tea. ”

After sitting down, the sixth ancestor said: "Lord Wei is busy with official business, how can he have the leisure to come to Caoxi?" ”

"Don't hide it from the master, the disciple came today to pay homage to you, the living Bodhisattva, and listen to the sound of the Dharma; Second, I want to invite the six ancestors to go down the mountain and go to the Dafan Temple in Shaozhou City to teach Buddhism. ”

Fahai interjected: "Master Wei doesn't know, my master is very old, and he has been unwell recently, and I am afraid that the saddle horse will be tired and difficult, which will hinder the Dharma body. ”

"This ......," Wei Tingshi looked at the six ancestors, and then said, "The master is not in good health, and the matter of refusing the emperor's edict has also been heard by the lower officials. But ......"

The Sixth Patriarch said, "Master Wei, you don't have to be embarrassed, if there is something unclear about the Dharma, please bring it up, and the poor monk will do his best to discuss it with the adults." ”

Wei Tingshi said: "If Xia Guan is alone, how dare he disturb Master Qing Xiu? It was the monks of Dafan Temple and the people of Shaozhou who entrusted the officials to come...... Forget it, the master's body matters. I'll wait for another date ......."

The Sixth Ancestor interrupted him: "Lord Wei, what happened to the monks of Dafan Temple and the people of Shaozhou?" ”

Wei Tingshi said: "Xia Guan was entrusted by the believers inside and outside Shaozhou City to ask the master to explain the law. In the Dafan Temple, more than 1,000 monks and laymen from all over the world have gathered. ”

The Sixth Ancestor immediately said, "Why didn't Master Wei say it earlier, Fada, you can prepare your outfit for me, and ...... tomorrow morning." No, not tomorrow, but now! Let's go, go to Shaozhou right away. ”

Wei Tingshi hurriedly stopped: "Rushing overnight, too tired master." Morning and evening are not bad for this half a day. ”

The Sixth Patriarch said: "Life lies between breaths, and we still grasp the present." Besides, one day of 1,000 believers is equivalent to three years for one person! Say no more, let's go! ”

When the sixth ancestor Huineng arrived at the Shaozhou Dafan Temple that day, it was already night.

In the Dafan Temple, there are many monks and laymen, and they are crowded.

In front of the main hall, a high altar of preaching was erected. More than a dozen officials such as Wei Tingshi also came here and stood solemnly in front of the altar with monks and lay believers.

Suddenly, the bells and drums rang out in unison, and the master of the Dafan Temple sang loudly: "Respectfully invite Master Shanghui and Xia Neng!" ”

The sixth ancestor Hui Neng was dressed in a red ancestral robe, and he was full of energy, and stepped up to the altar covered with a thick velvet blanket.

Everyone under the altar held their breath and clasped their hands, standing respectfully and solemnly, and the atmosphere was solemn. I saw the six ancestors sitting still, gently knocked on the chime, and led everyone to worship: "Nan Wu Six Ancestors Master!" ”

The Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng greeted all the monks and laymen in the audience. The robe on his body shimmered with multicolored light.

When everyone was amazed, the morning bell-like voice of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng was already echoing in the audience: "All good knowledge, human nature is originally clean and immaculate, unblemished and unstained. As long as this nature can be revealed, one can directly become a Buddha. This pure nature, which all of you have, is simply because you are confused in your hearts and cannot realize yourself, so that you are unable to live and die without liberation. ”

When the audience heard that they all had Buddha nature, and that they could become Buddhas with a clear mind, they felt fresh and excited, and their attention was more concentrated.

The Sixth Patriarch continued, "Now, I will explain to you the Dharma of Mahaprajnaparamita, which is the Dharma of Great Wisdom to the Other Side. ”

The Sixth Patriarch Huineng paused slightly, and spat out a witty saying: "All the writings in the human world, as well as the Lesser and Lesser and the Twelve Sutras of the Three Tibets, were created by people and were designed because of people. If there is no wisdom of the human heart, there will be no ten thousand laws. Since all the laws come from the heart, why don't we see our true nature from our own hearts? Therefore, all the good dharmas in the world are also in human nature, and there is no need to seek them outside. Ladies and gentlemen, there is no difference between Buddhas and sentient beings, the key is enlightenment and non-enlightenment. If you are deluded by nature, you are sentient beings; If you are self-enlightened, all beings are Buddhas. Therefore, as long as your mind can be free from attachment to everything in the world, and you don't care about taking or giving up, then you will be able to see the nature of your mind and become a Buddha! ”

Everyone had never heard of this kind of Dharma in simple terms and clear to them, and they were both amazed and amazed by their hearts. They bowed with joy and gave thanksgiving.

The Sixth Patriarch then said, "Buddha, is not mysterious. It can be said that the compassion of all of you is Guanyin Bodhisattva; Giving up greed and giving generously is the general trend to the Bodhisattva; To be able to purify one's mind is Shakyamuni Buddha; Fairness and integrity are Amitabha. ”

When the audience heard this, their emotions were even more uplifted.

The Sixth Patriarch glanced at the audience and said, "Most of the people who came to listen to the Fa today are lay believers. I would like to solemnly tell you that to study the Dharma, to become enlightened and Zen, you can do it at home, and you don't necessarily have to be a monk. If you practice sincerely at home, you can still see your mind and achieve the Buddha's path. ”

After bowing to him, he asked, "Master, I would like you to give me detailed instructions on how to practice at home." ”

The Sixth Patriarch said: "I will say the first "Wu Xiang Verse" for everyone, as long as you practice according to this, it will be like being with the Buddha every day; If you don't practice in this way, even if you are ordained, it won't do you any good. Ladies and gentlemen, listen to me—

The voice of the six ancestors is like spring breeze and rain, moistening people's hearts:

Peace of mind and hard work,

What is the use of practicing meditation?

Grace honors parents,

Righteousness is mercy from top to bottom.

Let the humbled and the humble,

Forbearance is the cause of all evil.

If you can drill wood for fire,

The silt gives birth to red lotus.

The bitter is good medicine,

Against the ear is a word of advice.

Reform will give birth to wisdom,

Protect the short-hearted and not virtuous.

Daily use is always beneficial,

Enlightenment is not about giving money.

Bodhi only seeks from the heart,

He Lao asked for mystery from the outside.

I heard that I practiced according to this,

Heaven is only in the present.

After the Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng finished saying this verse, he was still unfinished: "All those who have wisdom and understanding, you must practice according to this verse, understand your own nature, and directly achieve the Buddha's path." Buddhism cannot replace each other, so let's just dismiss the meeting. I'm going back to Caoxi too. If you have any questions, ask again. ”

At this time, Wei Tingshi and all the officials, as well as the good men and women who participated in the festival, all understood and enlightened, and exclaimed: "I can't imagine that in this remote place in Lingnan, there is also a Buddha born!"