Master Nebula's original intention to seek the Dharma
Li Guoshen, a child of ordinary people in Nanjing, should have spent his childhood in a fireworks family. But that year, the war came to cover his face, his family was ruined, and tragedy invaded this 10-year-old child.
Li Guoshen, who was helpless, could only wander on the streets, worrying all day long. Until a good Samaritan took him to the refugee shelter in Qixia Temple. Although life in the temple was hard, Li Guoshen still had illusions and wanted to seek protection in Buddhism.
Unexpectedly, there was danger in the shelter, and Li Guoshen's innocent soul was hurt. He began to question, did the Buddha really exist?
When a young monk saw that he was down, he proposed that Li Guoshen take refuge in the temple. Li Guoshen remembered his childhood yearning for Buddhism, and gladly accepted the monk's suggestion to officially ordainate him as a novice.
The life of the temple is very different from Li Guoshen's imagination, sweeping the floor, washing clothes, chopping wood, and being riddled with chores. What disappointed him even more was that the words and deeds of the monks in the temple were not as noble as he expected.
In confusion, Li Guoshen met an old monk. The old monk told him earnestly that the monks should find the meaning of life and return to the earthly world to save sentient beings, which is the right path of Buddhism.
Li Guoshen suddenly realized that the true meaning of Buddhist life is not in penance, but in returning to the basics, integrating into the world, and working hard to cross people. He was determined to devote himself to the study of Buddhism and build a foundation for the future promotion of Buddhism.
At the age of 15, Li Guoshen could finally be officially ordained as a little monk. The master accidentally burned the top of his head, leaving 12 scars. The scars on his flesh made Li Guoshen understand that monks must abandon their external selfishness.
At the age of 19, Li Guoshen joined the monks' ambulance team and embarked on a journey to spread Buddhism. For the sake of this great ideal, he left his homeland and crossed the ocean. In the strange land of Taiwan, Li Guoshen took a new legal name "Xingyun".
This marked the beginning of his Dharma propagation career and the sublimation of his original intention of seeking the Dharma.
Master Xingyun founded Humanistic Buddhism in Taiwan
In order to promote Buddhism, Master Xingyun came to Taiwan, a foreign land, and began the arduous process of gaining a foothold in this land.
At first, as soon as he landed on the shore, he was imprisoned for 23 days by the government mistaken for a "spy". Alone in the cell, the master did not complain at all, but meditated quietly and recited the Buddha wholeheartedly.
After being released from prison, with the help of a local elder, Master Miaoguo, Master Xingyun went to a wasteland in the mountains and began the construction of Fo Guang Shan.
At first, the local residents were suspicious of this young monk from outside, and did not understand that he was going to build a temple in the barren mountains. But the master devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work, and finally completed the establishment of Fo Guang Shan 10 years later.
When the beautiful Fo Guang Shan was completed, the master said to his disciples with satisfaction: "What we have built with our hands is not a house, but a dojo that accumulates good virtues and benefits all sentient beings.
Since then, the pilgrims have been endless. The master warmly welcomed everyone who came to worship and patiently explained the Dharma. As a result, Fo Guang Shan's reputation spread among the people.
In order to make Buddhism accessible to ordinary people, the master founded Humanistic Buddhism and brought the wisdom of Buddhism into people's daily lives.
He opened schools for children to read and Xi; Establish hospitals to bring hope to the sick; Establish a nursery to take in homeless children.
The master preached the Dharma everywhere, and his footprints were all over Taiwan. With a warm and kind heart, he has compassion for everyone in the world who is looking for hope in the wind and rain.
With the master, there are no unattainable Buddhist rules and precepts, but instead there is the worldly Dharma.
"Take it from the people, use it for the people", these eight words have become the footnotes of the master's life. For more than 40 years, Master Xingyun sowed the seeds of Buddhism in the hot land of Taiwan, creating a new chapter in human Buddhism.
Master Nebula's death and testament
After nearly 60 years in Taiwan, in 2022, the 95-year-old Master Xingyun finally announced his retirement, unloading all the affairs of Fo Guang Shan and living a peaceful life in his old age.
In 2023, the master passed away sitting quietly in Fo Guang Shan, smiling and serene when he passed away. The disciples found that the master dressed simply, showing detachment from fame and fortune.
In the will, the master explicitly asked not to be cremated, because he said that he had no relics. This modest and low-key is a portrayal of the master's life.
However, to everyone's shock, the disciples went against the master's last wish and cremated his body.
Surprisingly, 25 crystal clear relics appeared in the ashes!
This extremely unusual phenomenon puzzled everyone. The humility and prudence of the master during his lifetime are even more commendable. He didn't want the cremation to be out of modesty, hoping that everything would be over.
The appearance of the 25 relics has become an eternal topic of reflection left by the master to his disciples.
Many questions filled the hearts of the disciples. Perhaps, this is the last lesson that the master wants to teach us - although he is gone, his wisdom will always guide the path of his disciples.
We should continue to explore the teachings of the master in the remaining puzzles.
The spiritual legacy of Master Nebula
Master Xingyun has passed away, but the banner of human Buddhism that he set up in his life will be passed on by countless disciples.
The master is like a bright nebula, illuminating the path of countless people in the world with abundant wisdom and compassion. When the world seeks hope in the fog, the teachings of the master are a guiding light.
These 25 incredible relics will become the eternal thinking questions left by the master to future generations. It reminds every disciple to inherit the master's human Buddhist thought and pass on this compassion and kindness.
We need to remember the humility and prudence of the master's life, and his original intention to return to the world and integrate the Dharma into the lives of ordinary people. This is a spiritual wealth that should be passed on throughout the ages.
When I am confused, I think of the master; When the world is troubled, remember the master; When we want to move on, but we don't know the direction, look at the nebula left by the master to guide the way.
Each of us should strive to be a beacon of light, just as the Masters have contributed to the world. He warmed up a century with wisdom, and we must also use kindness to influence the people around us.
The Master has turned into a bright nebula in the sky, and his soul will always be on the world. As long as we have the master in our hearts, we will never feel alone. He spent his life demonstrating the true meaning of the Dharma, and it is the responsibility of each of us to pass on this compassion and kindness.
This is the most precious spiritual wealth left to us by the master, and it is also the most important mission of our generation of disciples.
epilogue
Master Xingyun used his life to explain what is true human Buddhism.
He brought the Dharma from the mountains and valleys to the plains and into the lives of the most ordinary people. The master leads by example, practicing "taking from the people, using it for the people", and selflessly dedicating the wisdom of Buddhism.
Even in his final passing, the Master left us with deep thoughts. The 25 incredible relics are the revelation of the whole age.
We must carry on the Master's last wish and sow the seeds of the Dharma deep in people's hearts. When the world is lost, we are to be the stars that lead the way.
The master has turned into a star in the sky, quietly watching the world. He spent his life explaining the true meaning of Buddhism, and it is incumbent upon each of us to pass on this wealth.
The Dharma is supposed to enter the mortal world and permeate everyone's life. We have to remember the humility and prudence of the great master during his lifetime, and his original intention to spread the Dharma.
The vicissitudes of the world and the changes of the times, but the spirit left to us by the master lives on. The people of our time should inherit his wisdom and let this light continue.
Thanksgiving Master came to the world and showed the glory of Buddhism with his life. Let us work together to escort this light and touch every life with kindness.