In modern society, people often look for a piece of pure land for spiritual comfort. Buddhism, as a treasure of oriental culture, has always been a sacred place in the hearts of its adherents. However, when the news of the Buddhist Pure Land came out that the nuns' real names reported the unspoken rules of monks, we couldn't help asking: How did this once solemn and sacred Pure Land become a land of right and wrong?
The story has to start with a nun in Bazhong, Sichuan. This nun, whose Dharma name is Shi Guoshu, originally had a pious heart and hoped to practice in this holy place, but she unexpectedly encountered an unexpected dilemma.
Master Shi Zhaosheng, a seemingly compassionate monk, gradually showed unusual attention to Shi Guoshu. In the face of the master's ambiguous overtures, Shi Guoshu had mixed feelings in his heart. She understands that as a Buddhist disciple, she should abide by the rules and precepts, but she is even more reluctant to go against her heart.
So, she plucked up her courage and expressed her attitude directly and firmly: "The disciple is willing to be a good friend of the master, but the disciple doesn't like that kind of thing, and he will not break the vows if he dies!" Her reply was like a stone thrown into a lake, breaking the originally calm water.
Shi Zhaosheng seemed to be "dead-hearted", but his attitude changed sharply. Shi Guoshu thought that he would be able to practice with peace of mind, but he was unexpectedly squeezed out and framed even more. Master's words and deeds made her life in the temple extremely difficult.
Shi Guoshu's days in the temple became like walking on thin ice. Not only did she have to face the rejection of her master, but she also had to endure misunderstanding and cynicism from other monks. She felt helpless and confused, and didn't understand why she was being treated like this when she stuck to her bottom line.
However, Shi Guoshu did not give in. She firmly believes that as long as there is a Buddha in her heart, she can find her own bright path. She chose to face it strongly and proved her innocence and determination with practical actions.
But this interpretation of the saint, after being rejected, actually took advantage of his position to retaliate against her. This time, Shi Guoshu couldn't bear it anymore and reported it directly on the social platform with his real name. It caused a sensation for a while. and left this land of right and wrong in April 2022.
As soon as this incident came out, it immediately caused an uproar. As we all know, Buddhism is a solemn and sacred place, and the monks are self-cultivation and compassion. But as soon as this incident came out, people began to wonder: Are these monks really so holy and flawless? Aren't they all ascetic?
Actually, this is not an isolated case. In recent years, the commercialization of Buddhism has become more and more obvious, and some monasteries and monks have begun to pursue economic interests, using the Pure Land of Buddhism as a tool to make money. You said that this temple was originally a place for people to practice, but now it is good, incense and candles, ritual utensils, pujas, meditation, everything can be earned.
However, business is business, and the essence of Buddhism cannot be lost. What is the essence of Buddhism? It is to guide people to pursue inner peace and liberation. But now, the monks are busy making money, so how can they still have the heart to practice and teach the Dharma? This Pure Land of Buddhism has gradually lost its original solemnity and sacredness.
Shi Guoshu's report was like a stone thrown into the surface of a calm lake, causing ripples. People began to reflect: What happened to this Buddhist world? Monks, what happened? Why did this Pure Land of Buddhism become a land of right and wrong?
However, the follow-up incident of the nun's real-name report of the monk became a mystery in the future, and netizens were suspicious of the Pure Land of Buddhism. Two years ago, the incident of nun Shi Guoshu's real-name report on the monk Shi Zhaosheng was a sensation, but now there is no news, which makes people wonder how things are developing. As an information exchange platform, the Internet is difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and netizens have different opinions on this matter. Some people firmly believe in the authenticity of the report, thinking that it must be unbearable to dare to report with an ID card, while others question why there is no follow-up report.
In recent years, the image of a monk has changed greatly, and he is no longer a pure ascetic, but a highly educated and salaried professional. Shaolin Temple presided over Shi Yongxin's huge investment in buying land and opening a company, which made people realize that the temple had become a listed company. There are also monks such as Shi Zhiding, luxury cars, mansions, and luxurious lives have been exposed, which makes people suspicious of the Pure Land of Buddhism. When a monk becomes a profession and a robe becomes a work uniform, where can I find the true pure land?
Some people say that this is the inevitable result of the commercialization of Buddhism. Once Buddhism is contaminated with the stench of copper, it will inevitably become a miasma. Some people say that this is because the monks did not practice enough personally and failed to keep the Pure Land in their hearts. Some people also say that this is the influence of social customs, and in today's society, you can make money from anything, even Buddhism.
However, what we ordinary people are most concerned about is whether this Buddhist world can return to its essence and whether we can return to a solemn and sacred Pure Land of Buddhism, after all, Buddhism is also sacred.
So, I really have to talk about it. We have to let the Buddhist community know that making money is not the goal, but cultivation is the foundation. We have to let the monks know that keeping the Pure Land in our hearts is more important than anything else. We also have to let the people know that this Buddhism still has to maintain its original solemnity and sacredness.
It is hoped that this report will arouse reflection and rectification in the Buddhist community, as well as the attention of the society. I also hope that our Pure Land of Buddhism can return to its original solemnity and sacredness as soon as possible.
What do you think about some Buddhism going off the rails and becoming commercialized in recent years?