In modern times, in the jungle of the Tendai Sect of Chinese Buddhism, a famous female poet monk - Master Benkong appeared. She was once an outstanding female poet, social activist, and even a devout Christian, but finally resolutely converted to Buddhism, until she became a monk and lectured on scriptures, becoming a famous monk of the modern Tendai sect. Tracing back to her origins, her earliest study of Buddha karma began when she met with Master Yinguang on Putuo Mountain.
Zhang Ruzhao, character Shujiao, is a native of Cixi, Zhejiang. Since childhood, love to read, brilliant, poetry and song, Qinqi calligraphy and painting are all proficient, known as "female talent" by the township, graduated from the Department of English Literature of National University chaired by Zhang Taiyan, and then participated in Christianity, in May 1927, was hired as the first director of Ningbo Library, she organized staff to carefully sort out and repair the nearly 90,000 volumes of Xue Lou's collection, classified and cataloged, and successfully opened in September of that year.
In the summer of 1928, the weather was hot, and her friend Mrs. Meilide invited Zhang Ruzhao to visit Putuo Mountain in Haitian Buddha Country to escape the summer, and she readily agreed. Putuo Mountain is the famous Guanyin Bodhisattva Dojo, Foling Mountain Show, stone wonders, golden sands and blue waves, sea and sky, worth visiting.
The next day, she and Mrs. Mei and six or seven other girlfriends boarded the ship from the Ningbo Steamship Terminal to Putuo. After landing, go to Kannon-dongan for lunch, and then explore the nearby scenery. Guanyin Cave is located at the western foot of Meicen Mountain, and legend has it that it is the place where Guanyin Daishi appeared, the cave is as wide as a room, and there is a stone pillar in the middle of it, wide and narrow at the top, falling into the ground, and there is a miracle of weeping clouds and waves. The cave can be surrounded by passage, the stone pillars and stone walls are engraved with the statue of Guanyin Daishi, the roof of the cave is stacked with white stones, ancient trees are embedded, and the scenery is strange. Nearby, there are two turtles listening to the Dharma stone, and it is said that they were enlightened by Guanyin Bodhisattva, and two stone turtles heard the Dharma attainment: one squatted on the top of the rock, raised its head and stretched its head and neck; The other climbed the edge of the stone wall, ready to move. There is also the Pantolite, two huge stones superimposed on each other, the lower stone is high and sharp, can accommodate twenty or thirty people, the upper stone is about forty cubic meters in size, diamond-shaped, the two stones are only one point together, it looks shaky. The stone has inscriptions such as "Panda Stone" and "The First Stone under Heaven". "Pantuo Sunset Illumination" is one of the twelve scenic spots in Putuo.
The female companions looked at this beautiful scenery, dizzying and amazed. Mrs. Mei asked Ru Zhao to improvise poetry to help You Xing. Ru Zhao thought about it and chanted a poem "Upper Guanyin Cave" on the spot: "The sacred ruins of Guanyin visit the ruins, and go to the first peak of Nanshan." Thousands of miles of smoke and empty hue, a day of clouds in the heart. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore is suspicious, and the strange stone pan is like a dragon. At this point, the dust and worries were eliminated, and the bell was rang across Lin Feidu. Mrs. May hurriedly took out the pen and notebook in her handbag and wrote down the poem. The female companions all called this poem magnificent, especially the five and six sentences, which are the epigrams of the whole poem, depicting the waves and strange rock forms on the seaside, which is really wonderful! They toured the Bixitian Scenic Area, and then toured the Puji Temple and the South Tianmen area, and stayed at the Kek Lok An not far from the Fayu Temple, planning to go swimming by the sea after dinner to eliminate the fatigue of the day and enjoy the night view of Putuo with the sea and sky.
Just as each of them was carrying a bag of swimming suits and pants and preparing to leave, a young monk hurried to the door, holding a note in his hand, and said to everyone: "Ladies, Old Master Yinguang asked me to send a letter, telling everyone not to swim in the beach!" He said, passing the note. Everyone gathered around to look at it, and saw that it said: "Gentlemen! The South China Sea has many whirlpools, the so-called stormy waves are like tigers, and they cannot be prevented. Every year, someone, miserably destroyed, don't play children, regret! The female companions were stunned when they saw it: How did the old master Yinguang know that we were going to swim, and the so-called "shocking waves like tigers" written on the note was not the meaning of "shocking waves crashing on the shore and doubting tigers" written by Ru Zhao in the afternoon? Is this a fortuitous coincidence, or is it an unknown prophet of India? Zhang Ruzhao was even more surprised, she had read the "Yinguang Master Banknote" in the library, and she admired Yin Lao's academic articles very much, but she was baptized under the introduction of Mrs. Mei last year and joined Christianity, and she did not expect to have contact with this old monk. She groaned slightly, thanked the master who delivered the letter, put down the clothes in her hand, picked up her handbag, and asked her female companions to go to the Fayu Temple to visit the old master Yinguang.
Old Master Yinguang was writing a reply letter under the lamp to the lay people who had come to ask for advice. The waiter told him that a group of female laymen was visiting, and he put down his pen. Ru Zhao and they sat down after saluting the master, and saw that the master had a solemn demeanor, both serious and compassionate. Ru Zhao stepped forward and clasped her hands, thanked the master for his advice, and then asked the master how he knew in advance that they were going to swim? The master smiled slightly and said, "The weather is very hot these days, and tourists who have just come to the mountain often go to the Thousand Steps Sand Sea in front of the Fayu Temple in the evening to swim. Thousand steps sand don't look at it is usually very quiet and beautiful, but when the tide comes, rushing and roaring, if there is a strong wind, the waves splash, the roar is shocking, it is really thrilling! I just saw seven or eight tourists—probably you, walking and talking about swimming. I am afraid that you do not know the danger on the beach, and it is dangerous to go to the sea bath at night, so I specially sent a master here to inform you. That's the thing, Amitabha! Although the master gave such an explanation, Ru Zhao always felt in his heart that he had an unknown prophet.
After the master finished speaking, he took down several newly published copies of the "Zengguang Printing Light Master Banknote" from the bookshelf, gave one to each person, and advised everyone to "honestly recite the Buddha", and the female companions all stood up and respectfully took it. Ru Zhao took out a copy of the "Green Sky Poetry Collection" published two years ago from his handbag, signed it as a thank you, and honored the master's teachings, and the master gladly accepted it. Everyone sat for a while, got up to say goodbye, and went back to Ji Le An to rest.
The next morning, they just got up. A mountain servant from Fayu Temple sent another letter, saying that it was specially for the Shujiao priests. Ru Zhao hurriedly opened it and looked at it, and it read:
Akebono Jushijian:
Reading your poems, literally does not lose to the ancients. But it was just a poet's poem, full of sorrow, without a bit of a monastic spirit. Since you have this wisdom root, is it worth spending your life with this sorrow? All sentient beings have Buddha-nature, so do not let the inherent Buddha-nature be overwhelmed by troubles, but should get rid of sorrows, seriously recite the Buddha, become a sage at birth, and die in the lotus pond sea meeting. If you really have good roots, don't live up to this rebuke of the old monk!
The word "scold" made her stunned! Shujiao, who was arrogant by nature, was highly respected in the poetry world at that time, and was accustomed to hearing praise, but this time he was reprimanded for the first time! As if a basin of cold water was poured on her head, from the top of her head to her heart, her self-esteem suffered a major blow. But calm down carefully: the poems in the "Green Sky Poetry Collection" are indeed some works of sorrow and grievance, or lamenting the ill-fatedness, or complaining about the injustices of creation... If you continue to sigh like this, you can only torture yourself, how can you transcend the outside of things, like Shakya, liberate yourself and discover your own Buddha-nature! Although the master's words are sharp, after all, it is he who stands tall and sees far!
After a day of deliberation, on the morning of the third day, Shujiao decided not to go to the mountain tour and went alone to visit the master. When she arrived at the door, she hesitated again, afraid that the old mage would look down on herself as an ordinary man. Who knew that the master had already seen it, and shouted with a smile: "Zhang Jushi, you are early!" I know you'll definitely come back, come in and sit. So she walked up to her, bowed down, and respectfully pleaded with the master to teach the teachings of the Dharma. The master said: "I know that you are only high, but don't look at European and American things, every day is empty, it is better to learn from those fools and fools to honestly chant Buddha." If we don't come in one breath, it will be in the next life, and by that time, even if we are only high and rich in five cars, it will not be useful. If you don't practice pure karma early, you will know how to spend this life in vain, and consume all the good roots of the world in vain, what a pity! You like to write boring poems, this is the habit of literati, if you refuse to make up your mind to cut it off, if you want to be truly used in the Dharma, it will be difficult! The master's long-spoken teachings and sincere tone touched her heart. She secretly decided that from now on she must concentrate on the study of Buddhism and get rid of life and death. She and her friends stayed in Putuo Mountain for a week, touring the mountains and rivers of Haitian Buddha Country. On the day of parting, I went to the Fayu Temple again to bid farewell to the master. The master persuaded her to convert to Buddhism and talked for two hours, until the coachman urged her to say that if she did not leave, she would not be able to catch the ship to Ningbo, and she said goodbye.
After returning to Ningbo, Zhang Ruzhao wrote a letter thanking the master for his three teachings. The master replied: "Smart people are proud of their talents and refuse to be reprimanded. I am ashamed that I have no morality and have little use to the world, but please make this rough stone of my mountain into you pure gold and beautiful jade. When we meet three times, we have no admiration for you, only encouragement, and we do not talk about human feelings, but only about the Dharma. I scolded you harshly, afraid that you would not be able to stand it, but you were grateful, which is enough to show that you have deep roots and deep understanding of righteousness, are not self-righteous, and are willing to listen to advice. If the habits of the literati can be completely put down, abide by the way of women, attach importance to family education, regenerate faith and vows, cultivate self-purification karma, and at the same time help others to liberate together, and set a good example for women, the prosperity of the country will be just around the corner. For the poem presented by Zhang Jushi: "I have cut the sword of wisdom to the devil, the Pearl of Ten Hu has passed away, and the ambition has been exhausted, and I have only felt more than one body for many years!" After waiting for four songs, the master commented: "Your poems have good meaning, but you must do what you say, otherwise it will not only be a quibble, but also a vain language, a joke, and a deceptive three treasure language." I have never written poetry for forty years, so not for you and poetry. ”
Zhang Ruzhao studied Buddhist texts seriously and studied zazen. Occasionally, he wrote short poems in the form of odes to give play to righteousness. Once, I read Master Yongming's "Zongjing Record" and was very engaged, and in only two or three days, I read the 100-volume "Zongjing Record", and seemed to have a clear understanding, and wrote ten poems of the seven-word rhythm poem of "Master Zan Yongming". She sent the poem to Master Yinguang in order to repay the original Dharma Milk Deep Grace. At the same time, I thought, these poems, the master must be happy to see it, and I can get the confirmation of his old man.
A few days later, the master's reply came. She opened it excitedly, but was surprised, and the letter said:
Your writing habits are too deep, you know it yourself, but you don't change it painfully, and you are at most a poet writer in your life. The true benefits of the Dharma are cut off by this habit. That's why the Buddha listed the wisdom of the world as one of the eight difficulties in learning Buddhism, such a deep warning, don't you understand? The poems you wrote to read the mirror records of the Yongming Sect, with a sonorous voice, show that you have a wise root, but this is also an obstacle for cultivators. This kind of verse, which has been carefully scrutinized, cannot be compared with the casual outpouring of the righteous person.
The master quoted the story in the "Legend of Master Miaofeng", in which King San'in sent the soles of his shoes to Master Miaofeng in retreat, which made him realize that he would never write poetry again, as a warning to Zhang Ruzhao not to specialize in poetry that he thought he had realized, and thus affect the practice of learning Buddhism. (For details, see "Smelly Soles Specialize in Poetry Mouth" below.) In fact, there have been many poets and monks in the history of Chinese Buddhism, such as Master Hanshan of Manjushri, Zen Master Chushi Fanqi of Amitabha Buddha, and Master of the Eleventh Ancestor of the Pure Land Sect, all of whom have created a large number of poems with profound artistic conception and beautiful words. In fact, when Yin Zu also updated the Ten Essentials of the Pure Land, he specially appended the Lotus World Poems, so it is not impossible to compose poetry, and poetry is even an important vehicle for Buddhas to transform sentient beings. It all varies from person to person, time to time and place to place. For troubles that have not been eliminated, it is not necessary to compose poetry with mortal knowledge and habits, and add some so-called inspiration, which can neither benefit others nor free oneself. —Editor's note) Ru Zhao was deeply educated and determined to change his false writing habits. From then on, whenever the poet demon came, she assumed that the sole of the shoe tied by the master on her neck suddenly jumped up and jerked into the poet's mouth. She often made such visualizations, and over time, the habit of writing gradually turned into a flat stream, and she deeply admired the master, resolutely abandoned Christianity, wrote a devout letter, and resolved to convert to discipleship. The master agreed and gave the name "Hui Chao".
Since then, she has successively attended Wuchang Buddhist College and Guanzongjiao Temple. In life, work, and practice, whenever I encountered difficulties, I wrote to the master to ask for advice. The Master always replied with compassion, corrected some of her incorrect perceptions, taught the Dharma, and taught the important aspects of standing in the world. Ru Zhao proclaimed: "Every time I read it, like to the holy face, I sweat and feel ashamed!" I feel that "the friendship is deep and there is no answer." One day in 1940, she received a message from the master's return to the west, like a thunderbolt on a sunny day, and she was very sad, and wrote a poem: "The bad news came late in January, and I cried through the window and the snowy night. Where do people go? Intestines break Shennong when he sleeps! "A piece of shoe leather is completely rewarded, and a hundred words are stopped. The scars on the neck are still there, and it is painful for eternity! ”
Zhang Ruzhao resigned from his job and concentrated on following the old Master of the Tiantai Sect Dadegen Hui to learn to practice the Dharma Samadhi at the Guanzong Temple in Ningbo, and then returned to Cixi for retreat, practicing the Dharma Confession for 21 days and holding the Leng Strict Mantra for 7 days, and then decided to become a monk. On the eighth day of February 1950, in the Cixi Miaoyin Essence House, Gen-la Gen-hui was given the name "Benkong", and he learned the religious law of the Tiantai and lectured in various places.
On the 23rd day of the ninth lunar month in 1950, Gen-la Honku received a letter from Gen-la Genhui of Kanjongji Temple asking her to write an article in memory of Master Inko to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his death. The next night, she had a strange dream, and when she woke up, she recounted: In a vast and beautiful hall, Master Yinguang unfolded the golden yellow seat to salute the Buddha, and saw that he was tall and his whole body was bright. After I entered, I worshipped the Buddha behind the master. After the Buddha ceremony, he was full of emotion and prayed to the master: "Ten years, the disciples have been looking forward to it day and night, and today I finally got to see the master and begged the master to teach mercy." The master said, "Propagate the Dharma well, don't get tired, I will come to pick you up when you are dying." I quickly asked, "Master's good and bright appearance, is it the Bodhisattva of the Great Trend?" Only to hear the master answer clearly and crisply: "Yes, not bad!" "I was mixed with sorrow and joy, and I couldn't help but kneel and clasp my palms together, saying praise:
The golden bottle crown holds the green snail, and the ten billion muni are blue.
Wonderful fragrant dust is extremely blissful, boundless light and pure and clean.
Regent is convenient to return to peace, chanting Buddha Yuantong to cross the river of love.
Stepping on the lotus flower, I am now introduced to Mita.
Master Honkong corresponded to Master Yinguang more than ten times in his lifetime, and the face of Master Honku, except for the first time in Putuo Mountain in 1928, was the last time in his dream in 1950. She said: The first time was to guide her into the Buddhist gate, and the second time was to promise to lead her to the west, so she called Master Yinguang the "first great teacher of the primordial end" that she admired the most. ——Source: "Yinguang Master Popular Book"
