The Tang Dynasty was a powerful dynasty in Chinese history, and it was also a dynasty that vigorously promoted Buddhism.

Tang Taizong Zhenguan three years (629 years) Xuan class by the emperor's trust, from Liangzhou out of the Yumen Pass to the west to Tianhui, which lasted 17 years, this is the famous "Tang Sanzang to take the Western Classics".

The sixth ancestor Huineng was born during Xuanzang's study of scriptures in Tianzhu.

The emperor's vigorous promotion of Buddhism made the folk custom of learning Buddhism in the world very popular.

Since the banner of enlightenment and enlightenment was erected in Caoxi, many disciples were enlightened immediately under his inspiration, like a carp jumping over the dragon gate, swimming in the sky and sea, spraying clouds and spreading fog, so lively. Shaozhou Baolin Temple is even more famous.

Therefore, Cao Xi became famous and became a holy place in the minds of Zen monks all over the world.

In this way, the original hall and dormitory of Baoling Temple are cramped and narrow, and they are not enough to accommodate the public.

The sixth ancestor Huineng was very pleased that the incense of Baolin Temple was becoming more and more prosperous, but again

The temple of Baoling Temple is too small and sad. The original monk's room was changed from one room for two people to one room for four people, but it still couldn't solve the problem.

"What should I do?"

In order to turn Baoling Temple into the source of Buddhism, it is necessary to expand the Baoling Temple to expand its influence.

At the end of this day's lesson, Xingsi reported to the Sixth Ancestor: "Master, there have been more than 1,000 monks from all over the world recently, and in a few days, Lawyer Tongying of Jingzhou, who is thousands of miles away, will also lead hundreds of his apprentices to take refuge in you, and the houses in the temple are no longer enough to live in." ”

After hearing this, the Sixth Patriarch said happily: "Then find a few places with quiet mountains and rivers and build a few more temples." Lawyer Tong Ying is one of my ordained masters. Instead, he came to convert to me, and I can't be too wronged by them. ”

"Yes, Master." After Xingsi finished speaking, he went to work on the expansion of Baolin Temple.

When the donors heard that the temple was going to be expanded, they all generously helped.

To expand the temple, it is not enough to have silver, but also to have land.

The mountains around Baoling Temple belonged to a wealthy man named Chen Yaxian.

Chen Yaxian has thousands of hectares of fertile land and 10,000 acres of mountains and forests, and can be regarded as rich in the Caoxi region. But he has a great characteristic, that is, he is stingy.

After a week, Xingsi came back and reported to the six ancestors about the recent land use issues involved in the expansion of Baolin Temple: almost every mountain and every piece of land in the entire Caoxi belonged to the rich man Chen Yaxian. He was extremely shrewd, and he never gave a penny, I am afraid......

After listening to Xingsi's report, the Sixth Ancestor smiled and said, "If Chen Yaxian is not shrewd and stingy, how can he save such a big family business?" This kind of person, if he wants to make a fortune with him, he can't even give a grain of rice, how can he give up a large piece of land? You go and ask Cao Shanren to be accommodating, and we will spend money to buy his mountain land! ”

Xingsi half-jokingly said, "Master, I went to Chen Yaxian's house with Cao Shanren and Liu Zhiluo to save food in the past few days—he had a lot of closed-door soup at his house—and when he came to buy land, people didn't even let him in!" ”

The Sixth Ancestor comforted: "This matter can't be rushed, wait for Lao Ne to go another day." Two days later, the sixth ancestor took the infant and walked along the mountain road to Chen Yaxian's house.

On the way, Ying Xing said with great interest: "Master, your old man is really interested today, and he is willing to take me on a tour of the mountains." ”

The sixth ancestor said: "Who said that this is a tour of the mountains and rivers? We're going to the fate. ”

Ying Xing blinked and asked suspiciously: "Huayuan, there are senior brothers, can you use the six ancestors?" ”

The Sixth Ancestor said: "Today, we have a great fate, and we have to come forward." ”

Ying Xing asked excitedly: "How big is it?" ”

The Sixth Ancestor stared at the mountains and forests of Cao Xi, "The whole Cao Xi." We have to ask Chen Yaxian to donate the landscapes, forests, land, and houses of Cao Xi to Baolin Temple. ”

"Chen Yaxian, the rich man, is the most hateful. The monk went to turn into a fate, and he said alms, but he didn't even give a good face. It's really an iron that never pulls out. Your old man wants to steal all his family business, and he still doesn't fight with us! Ying Xing said with a bitter face.

The Sixth Ancestor smiled: "What a robbery, what a robbery, how ugly!" To become a monk is to make the family give voluntarily. ”

While speaking, the Sixth Ancestor and Ying Xing had already walked to the gate of Chen Yaxian's house.

The sixth ancestor of Baolin Temple personally went out to visit, and although Chen Yaxian was reluctant, he had to invite the sixth ancestor and the infant to the living room.

After the Sixth Ancestor made his intentions clear, Chen Yaxian categorically refused.

The Sixth Ancestor was not in a hurry. He looked at the luxurious and extraordinary living room of Chen Yaxian's house, looked at the dazzling treasures displayed on the Bogu shelf, and said casually: "Lord Chen is really a big family, rich enough to rival the country!" ”

Chen Yaxian said proudly: "The sky lives up to the old man's hard work, decades of hard work, and finally a small success." ”

"I wonder where these properties were decades ago?" The six ancestors changed their words.

“……”

Seeing that the fire was almost over, the sixth ancestor turned the conversation to the main topic: "The poor monk is here today to turn his fate. In the Bodhisattva Method, generosity is the first. If the old benefactor can give away his property, not only will his karma disappear immediately, but his merit will be immeasurable. ”

Chen Yaxian said nervously, "Really? Alas, Master Six Patriarchs, how much can I give to eliminate calamities? ”

The Sixth Patriarch Huineng stretched out his right hand to the infant next to him, and the infant handed over the futon that the Sixth Patriarch usually sat in meditation.

Chen Yaxian looked at this futon, it was less than five feet long and no more than three feet wide, and he breathed a long sigh of relief: "You are a famous monk, but you can't be blinded!" ”

The Sixth Patriarch said with great certainty: "The monks don't lie, and they don't joke!" ”

Chen Yaxian smiled lightly: "Okay, I'll accompany you, please choose any piece of land!" ”

Liuzu, Chen Yaxian and Ying Xing walked out of the village and came to the bank of Cao River. The Sixth Ancestor glanced around and asked, "Master Chen, which land is yours?" ”

Chen Yaxian pointed to the east, west, north and south: "East to that mountain, west to that river, south to the woods, north to the mountain peak." These are my family business, master choose. ”

"Good!" The Sixth Ancestor spoke, and slowly walked towards a forest on the bank of Cao Xi.

In the mountains, wherever there is a stream, there are lush forests on both sides. They are fed by the stream and give life to the stream, and in this way, the stream inadvertently flows green streamers in the valley.

So, the mountains are green, the water is beautiful, the sky is blue, and the wind is soft.

The three of them came to the small forest on the bank of Cao Xi, and the Sixth Ancestor casually found a vacant lot and stopped.

The infant line unfolds the futon of the six ancestors who sit in meditation on weekdays.

Chen Yaxian raised his head to the sky and laughed: "I thought that the master asked me for as much land, but it turned out that he only wanted a place as small as a futon." Buddha, are you joking with me?"

The Sixth Patriarch said: "Buddhism has no jokes, but what I said is serious." ”

Chen Yaxian said briskly: "Okay! I'll give you whatever you want. ”

The sixth ancestor took the futon and raised it to Chen Yaxian: "I want as many places as my futon can cover the sun." ”

Chen Yaxian looked at the futon, the radius was less than three feet, and thought: How many places can you cover this futon if you cover it?

So, he agreed: "Okay! Yes! I will give as much as this futon can cover the sun. ”

The Sixth Ancestor smiled and asked again: "Master Chen, your words are not jokes, right?"

"Of course it's true. How dare I speak big in front of the Buddha? It is the husband who says what he says, and the horse is difficult to chase. This time, Chen Yaxian became serious.

"Good! You watch! As he spoke, the Sixth Patriarch raised his right hand into the air, and the futon flew straight into the sky like a swirling arrow.

"Definitely!" Raise your head on six sides. Shouting at the sky.

It is strange to say that the whirling futon actually stopped in the air in response, standing still, blocking the direct rays of the sun, casting a great shadow in the territory of Cao Xi.

"Whoa! That's where I'm going to expand the temple. The Sixth Ancestor looked at the large shadow and said.

Chen Yaxian was taken aback, and said in his heart, he was really reluctant. But when he thought that he had sworn in front of the Buddha, and today he saw that the six ancestors Huineng had boundless power, and after thinking for a while, he said: "The Buddha is really powerful. These mountains and forests are the inheritance of my life, and they are used for good deeds today, blessing the people of Li, and my ancestors will also feel gratified if they know about it. I have a prayer, though. ”

The Sixth Patriarch said: "If Lord Chen has any prayers, just say it." ”

Chen Yaxian pointed to a hill not far away: "There is a grave of my ancestors on that hill......"

"Lord Chen rest assured, your ancestral grave, we will keep it well, today your kind deed, grace in all directions, shade and descendants, really admired by the world." After the Sixth Ancestor Huineng praised Chen Yaxian, he used another method to enlighten him.

Sixth Ancestor Huineng looked at Chen Yaxian, who looked anxious, pointed to the ground, and said, "Master Chen, please take a seat." ”

After speaking, the Sixth Patriarch himself sat down first, closed his eyes, and soon entered a state of pleasant and comfortable meditation.

Chen Yaxian looked at his peaceful and comfortable demeanor and also sat down.

The forest was quiet, and the sunlight seemed to be dyed green through the layers of leaves; After the wind is combed by the woods, it is refreshing and intoxicating.

Chen Yaxian, a wealthy man, has not been so leisurely among the mountains and rivers as he is today. The unique freshness of the woodland and the sound of the bubbling stream made him feel a long-lost cordiality and an inexplicable touch.

A butterfly flew over their heads.

So, the baby crept away and went to the edge of the forest to catch butterflies.

When Chen Yaxian saw him, he couldn't help but think of his childhood, that carefree, simple and happy time......

At that time, the mountains and rivers here were not surnamed Chen, and the Chen family was just an ordinary family of food and clothing in the mountains. Like all the children in the mountains, he was left in the mountains, hanging in the woods, and floating in the streams. A wildflower, a grasshopper, a school of small fish, can bring them great surprises.

As a result, their happy laughter echoed in the mountains and forests all day long, flowing like a rushing stream......

Chen Yaxian's current state of mind is just like this mountain, this water, and this forest, and he has only known since he became his private property that he has an inexhaustible heart and endless worries: for a while, he is worried that naughty children will play with fire and set fire to the mountains and forests, and for a while, he will worry about someone stealing trees......

Either suffering or losing, endlessly, endlessly, every night, Chen Yaxian has to wake up several times......

Since then, the simple and fulfilling satisfaction, the unrestrained joy, have become distant dreams, and they can never be found again.

A crystal tear oozed from the corner of Chen Yaxian's eye.

When he opened his eyes, the Sixth Ancestor was looking at him with a smile.

He wanted to laugh too, but the smile was very sour, very sad, and he sighed unconsciously.

The Sixth Ancestor asked with concern, "Why is Lord Chen sighing?" ”

Chen Yaxian said: "The old man has long heard people say: with gold and silver in his waist, he can't eat more than three meals a day; There are thousands of spacious buildings, and they are only three feet wide for sleeping. But I haven't woken up, I haven't seen through, and I'm reluctant to let go. Now it seems that I, the richest man in Caoxi, am not as happy as you as a monk with empty hands. ”

The Sixth Ancestor said with a smile: "Master Chen used his talents to accumulate Wanguan family property, there is nothing wrong with it, the key is the way to have it and the method to use. ”

As he spoke, the Sixth Ancestor picked up a handful of fine sand from the sand and poured a part of it into Chen Yaxian's hand, allowing him to hold it tightly.

However, the harder Chen Yaxian clutched, the faster the sand was lost, and in the end there was not much left. At the same time, the Sixth Ancestor opened his palm, but the sand in his hand was rarely scattered.

The Sixth Patriarch then said: "Property is like sand in your hand, the more you try to grasp it and hold it tightly, the faster it will often be lost; And if you take it out and share it with the public, not only will it not decrease, but it may increase. ”

Chen Yaxian didn't believe it. Wealth will only be used less and less, how can there be a reason to increase instead of decreasing?

The Sixth Ancestor knew that he didn't believe it, so he smiled and said, "Lord Chen, it seems that you often feel the pain of losing and wasting money, but you rarely experience the joy of giving money. It's like if you have a vast mountain forest land, but you rarely feel the tranquility of the forest like you do today. ”

Chen Yaxian had to nod.

The Sixth Patriarch said: "Insiders often say that ʻgood steel is used on the blade of a knife. Similarly, the value of wealth creators can only be fully demonstrated by using money where it is needed most. This is like the same bag of rice, which is moldy, which naturally makes people feel distressed; If you give alms to the hungry, you may save a life. I believe that saving people will bring a sense of honor, accomplishment and happiness to Chen Shi Zhu more than waste. ”

Chen Yaxian was very embarrassed, because in the past, he often put the grain stored at home to be moldy, and he was reluctant to take it out to help his neighbors. Now that I think about it, I do feel ashamed, ridiculous, and stupid.

The Sixth Patriarch also said: "Using the wealth in one's hands in the right place and letting it play its due role will inevitably bring great happiness to those who have wealth, and will inevitably stimulate his motivation and wisdom to create more wealth." At the same time, building bridges and roads, helping the needy and helping the needy will greatly improve a person's credibility, and people will naturally be willing to deal with him, and then the financial road will be wide and the financial resources will be rolling. Besides, generosity accumulates great blessings and is blessed by the Bodhisattva. So you see, those famous and benevolent people in the world are not only rich and rich, but also often old birthday stars who are blessed and healthy, and have children and grandchildren. ”

Chen Yaxian thought about it seriously, indeed, as the Sixth Ancestor said, those famous families who are rich and noble are all good families. And those nouveau riche who are deceived and abducted, their children and grandchildren are almost all ruined sons with all kinds of poisons, and their families will soon be ruined. He recalled what the Sixth Ancestor had said to him that day, and every word was really heartfelt, all for his own good.

So, he knelt down in front of the Sixth Ancestor and said sincerely, "Old man...... No, no! Disciples, disciples are stupid, they have not had the opportunity to listen to the teachings of the master before, and they do not know the mysteries of the Dharma. ”

The Sixth Patriarch folded his salute and picked him up, smiled and said, "Buddhism talks about the word 'yuan'. Now, the opportunity for the poor monk and Chen Shizhu to meet has arrived, so the poor monk came uninvited and came to the door. ”

Chen Yaxian said: "The disciple understands the truth of 'the sea of suffering is boundless, and turning back is the shore'. I voluntarily donated all the land in Cao Xi to Baoling Temple to support the master. ”

The Sixth Ancestor shook his head and said with a smile: "There is no need for that, if you can donate a few acres of land to build a temple, the poor monk will be grateful." ”

Chen Yaxian said sincerely: "The disciple is sincere. ”

The Sixth Patriarch said, "If you have this heart of generosity, and then you practice it, you will be able to give up all your greed and attachment, and your mind will be liberated." At the same time, there is great merit in making offerings to the monks, and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will bless you with no disasters and diseases, and your heart and body are healthy. ”

Chen Yaxian muttered to himself: "Thank you for the teaching, thank you for the teaching...... Master"

Since then, Chen Yaxian, like Cao Shanren, has become the most devout protector disciple of the Six Ancestors.

With money and land, Baolin Temple soon started construction and built a large number of buildings.

Craftsmen from all over the world want to do more good deeds and accumulate more yin virtue for themselves, so they have taken the initiative to help.

The expansion of the temple was very fast.

Within a few months, an extraordinary temple hall stood in the territory of Cao Xi.

Along the height of the mountain, the scattered palaces were built, the Qiong Tower was upright, the high pavilion was continuous, all of them were in the swirling of the Buddha's light and auspicious clouds. In the dense forest, there are thirteen large and small temples, blue bricks and green tiles, warped cornices, and winding corridors, which are more solemn and solemn. Towering pagoda, pointing to the clouds; Lubricate the clear stream, and it is better than the sweet spring.