Text: Yuan Yi said
Edit|Yuan Yi said
In modern society, people often seek various ways to pray for peace and happiness, such as burning incense to worship Buddha or releasing animals. However, do these actions really bring us inner peace?
The Buddha seems to be silent about this, teaching us that true peace comes from our inner world, and that the bhikshunis of Daoyuan Monastery in the mountains offer us an alternative answer.
In a temple in Liaoning, only female apprentices are accepted, and the female master inside only eats one meal a day and sleeps only 4 hours, but still insists on Xi, just for self-cultivation and calmness.
So what is their life like?
Bhikshunis of Dogenji Temple
In these rapidly changing times, many people are looking for inner peace and tranquility. Whether in the bustling city or in the quiet countryside, people's yearning for a simple, pure lifestyle has never waned. Recently, a job posting about a temple job has caused a lot of buzz on the Internet, revealing a little-known world for us - Dogen Temple.
Daoyuan Temple is located in the scenic province of Liaoning, near a small village surrounded by mountains. With fresh air and a quiet environment, it seems to be isolated from the rest of the world, making it an ideal place to practice. Although the history of Dogenji Temple is not long, it adheres to the ancient Buddhist tradition and attracts many devotees with its strict and unique way of practice.
The "Hard Life" of a Bhikshuni
The temple rules of Daoyuan Temple are in the same vein as Dabei Temple, and they follow the precepts of Buddhism, which is the basis of the existence of the temple and the foundation of the practice of female masters. These monastic rules not only embody the spirit of Buddhism, but also shape the temperament of female masters, making people feel a sense of peace and tranquility in them.
The temple rules also require female masters not to accept gifts from outside monks, and even if they accept offerings as a last resort, they need to return the gifts in a timely manner to show equal respect for all. In addition, all of their belongings outside of their bodies are to be kept in the custody of the permanent resident and are equally distributed by the permanent resident. In terms of dress, the temple rules require that the three clothes of Huai color be uniformly worn to reflect the unity and consistency of the Sangha.
Female masters are also required not to go out to make friends and not ask for help, so as to cultivate their independence and self-sufficiency. Finally, they must observe the Eight Respects, which are special requirements for female believers in Buddhist precepts to maintain harmony and order in the Sangha.
To become a female master of Dogenji Temple, one must accept and follow all the temple rules mentioned above. Although these regulations are strict, it is through these tests that the female masters can be freed from the shackles of the world and devote themselves to the cause of cultivating and educating sentient beings without distraction.
Here, the bhikshunis live a simple and regular life. They wake up at 4 a.m. every day for morning classes, chanting, and then a full day of work, including cleaning the yard, cooking, and doing laundry. Their dinner usually ends at noon, following the tradition of eating once a day, and taking medication only when necessary. This eating Xi is self-evidently physically challenging, but they believe it is a necessary step on the path to spiritual purification.
The rules of Dogenji Temple are not limited to food and drink. Here, bhikshunis are not allowed to carry any electronic devices to avoid outside interference. Their income is also entirely dependent on personal donations, reflecting the restraint of material desires and the persistence of spiritual pursuits.
However, not everyone can adapt to such a life. Some people, after trying for a while, choose to leave because they can't bear the hardships. Those who remained, on the other hand, went through a two-to-three-year ordeal and were ordained by the eminent monks and officially became bhikshunis. The process is full of challenges, but it is precisely these difficulties that make those who are determined to cherish this hard-won peace even more.
The temple rules of Dogen Temple are a kind of spiritual guidance, which helps female masters to overcome all kinds of temptations and difficulties in life, and guides them to the purification and improvement of their souls. Although these regulations may seem harsh, they enable female teachers to better understand the true meaning of Buddhism, so as to achieve self-transcendence and spiritual sublimation.
Foot monks
Every 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, the practitioners of Daoyuan Temple will start a special practice - "walking feet". This activity is not only a training of their will, but also a manifestation of the practice of Buddhism. During the fifteen-day journey, they would trek 600 miles on foot, walking on their feet without relying on modern means of transport, to experience the way of practice in the Buddha's time.
They wore temple clothes and walked on the road in an orderly manner, which was not only the spread of Buddhism, but also the tempering of their own practice. They do what they do to influence others, not through words, so they don't make an exception to stay in hotels or disturb local residents, even in bad weather.
The daily practice of practitioners includes not only begging and walking, but also meditation. Whether in the bustling city or in the silent wilderness, they can find a place to sit on the floor and return to peace in their minds. In their breaks, they occasionally use the leaves to write Buddhist proverbs or draw pictures containing Zen, which is a good fate if they are picked up by someone who is destined to do so, and if they do not, it is considered to return their inner feelings to nature.
When night falls, they look for shelter and a short rest. Early the next morning, they packed their bags and continued their journey. Although their actions attracted the attention and photography of passers-by, they always maintained their inner peace and calm, and were not moved by the outside world.
These practitioners do not seek fame or attention, but rather to sharpen their minds and get closer to the Buddha and their beliefs. During their journeys, they will meet devout believers who come to pay their respects and pray for blessings, as well as creatures and people in need. They treat every life with compassion, whether it's rescuing an injured animal or guiding a lost person.
Whether it is in the daily practice of Daoyuan Temple or in the annual foot tour, they are experiencing a kind of experience beyond the mundane and finding inner peace in it.
These practitioners have a calm face, and although their bodies are thin, they are full of energy. They have shaken off the shackles of the world and truly achieved freedom and tranquility of their hearts. Through this unique way of practice, they not only improved their own cultivation, but also spread the light and wisdom of Buddhism to the world.
In the process of walking, they stick to their principles, do not interfere with others, and refuse to accept money. When noon came, they dispersed to nearby villages to beg for food. They have strict begging rules: they only beg seven families at a time, and they only accept food and no money. Even if you don't have enough food, you won't beg much. All the begged food will be handed over to the Pure Land for distribution.
They are self-sufficient, fetching water, growing vegetables and mending clothes. Despite the seemingly difficult living conditions, they find satisfaction and happiness in them. In this era of the supremacy of profit, they stick to their hearts, and the Dharma resides in their hearts.
epilogue
It is worth mentioning that there is some false information circulating on the Internet about Buddhist propagation agencies, who sometimes exaggerate the facts or create false impressions in order to attract attention. This behavior not only misleads the public, but also damages the image of Buddhism. We should be vigilant, avoid blindly following trends, and pursue true beliefs and lifestyles.
The nuns of the temple are extremely indifferent to finances, neither inside nor outside the temple, and they do not pursue financial gain. There is no fee for visitors, all Buddhist activities are free, and there are even free scriptures and Buddha statues available at the circulation desk. This selfless spirit is awe-inspiring.
Although we may not be able to fully understand and practice the way of life of the bhikshunis at Dogenji Temple, some of their ideas are still inspiring. In a materialistic society, we should learn to control our desires and not be moved by money, but also learn to be at ease with what happens and be helpful. In this way, we can find inner peace and joy even in the midst of the world.
Finally, let's remember that no matter where we are, we can pursue inner peace and harmony. The story of Daoyuan Temple reminds us that the value of life lies in continuous exploration and growth, not forgetting the original intention, cherishing the present, caring for others, and creating a better world together.
Information source: "Youshu" official account
https://www.toutiao.com/video/7243788288186810936/?channel=&source=search_tab