The little monk steals meat
In a quiet ancient temple, surrounded by mountains and mist. There lived a highly respected abbot who led a group of young monks to practice. Although the little monks are not very old, they are all kind-hearted and have different personalities, and they chant sutras and recite Buddha every day to cultivate their self-cultivation.
Among the many little monks, there is a little monk named Minghui, who is smart and clever, but always a little naughty. Minghui was always curious about the rules and precepts he practiced, especially the one about not eating meat, which made him even more curious. He often wondered, why can't he eat meat? The meat is so delicious, what can you do if you eat it?
One day, several pilgrims came to the temple, and they brought rich offerings, some of which were meat. Minghui looked at the fragrant meat, and his heart was itchy, but he knew that this was the rule of the temple and he couldn't touch it at will. However, just as the abbot was leading the other monks to receive the pilgrims, Minghui couldn't contain the curiosity in his heart, and he sneaked into the offering room, carefully picked up a piece of meat, and put it in his mouth.
The taste of the meat was even more wonderful than he had imagined, and Minghui only felt that his mouth was full of fragrance, and his heart was full of joy. However, just as he was enjoying the moment, the abbot suddenly walked in. Minghui was startled, the meat in his hand fell to the ground, and he hurriedly knelt down, feeling uneasy in his heart.
The abbot looked at him, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes, but it was more of a mixed emotion. He picked up the meat on the ground and said slowly: "Minghui, do you know what is wrong? ”
Minghui lowered her head and said in a low voice: "The disciple knows his mistake, the disciple should not steal meat, and violate the rules of the temple." ”
The abbot sighed and said, "Since you know your mistake, tell me why you eat meat." ”
Minghui bit her lip and plucked up her courage to say, "The disciple is curious and wants to know why he can't eat meat. Moreover, the taste of that meat was really good, and the disciple couldn't help but want to taste it. ”
When the abbot heard this, his brows tightened, but he didn't get angry, but looked at Minghui deeply and said, "Minghui, do you know why we cultivators should keep the rules and precepts? ”
Minghui shook his head and said, "The disciple is stupid, please ask the abbot to make it clear." ”
The abbot said slowly: "Cultivation is to cultivate the mind. The purpose of the precepts is to keep us away from the troubles of the world and to keep a pure heart. Meat, although delicious, is prone to greed and makes people restless. As cultivators, we should pursue inner peace and purity, not a momentary appetite. ”
Minghui listened to the abbot's words, and her heart suddenly brightened. He understood that the true meaning of cultivation did not lie in the external form, but in the inner cultivation. He kowtowed deeply to the abbot and said, "Disciple understands, thank you for the abbot's teachings." ”
The abbot looked at him, a flash of relief in his eyes. He knew that although Minghui was naughty and mischievous, he was kind-hearted, and as long as he guided him well, he would definitely be able to become a cultivated monk. He patted Minghui on the shoulder and said, "Go ahead, reflect on it, and don't do it again in the future." ”
Minghui nodded gratefully and silently exited the room. He returned to his meditation room, sat down on the futon, and began to reflect quietly on his mistakes. He remembered the abbot's words, and a wave of unprecedented realization welled up in his heart. He understands that the path of cultivation is long and arduous, but as long as you keep a pure heart, you can move towards liberation step by step.
Since then, Minghui has become more diligent in his practice, and he is no longer mischievous, but earnestly recites sutras and learns the Dharma. He always kept in mind the teachings of the abbot and was no longer deceived by worldly desires. His cultivation level has improved day by day, and he has become a leader in the temple.
And the other monks in the temple also got inspiration from the changes in Minghui. They followed Minghui's example and practiced even harder, seeking inner purity and liberation. The atmosphere of cultivation in the ancient temple has become stronger and stronger, and it has become a real holy place for cultivation.
And whenever someone asked Minghui why he ate meat in the first place, he always replied with a smile: "That was a profound lesson that made me understand the true meaning of cultivation." Since then, I have never dared to break the precepts of the Purity Rules. ”
The days passed slowly in the morning bell and dusk drums, and the little monk Minghui gradually grew up in the ancient temple, and his path of cultivation became wider and wider, and more and more stable. Every time he recalls the experience of stealing meat, a deep sense of gratitude wells up in his heart. Although that experience made him suffer, it also made him truly understand the true meaning of cultivation.
One day, a monk came from afar in the ancient temple, and he heard the story of Minghui, so he came to visit. When the monk saw Minghui, he talked to him and asked him about his experience in practice. Minghui replied respectfully: "Since that mistake, the disciple has known that cultivation is not easy, and he always reminds himself to keep the rules and precepts and keep his heart pure. ”
When the monk heard this, he nodded and said, "It's rare that you can comprehend this." But the path of practice is long, and you still need to work hard to attain Bodhi. ”
Minghui listened to the words of the walking monk, and her heart became more determined to practice. He asked the monk many questions about his practice, and the monk patiently answered them one by one. The two talked happily until it was getting late, and the monk said goodbye and left.
After Minghui saw off the monks, he returned to the meditation room to continue his practice. His heart was filled with gratitude and joy, because he knew that although his spiritual path was tortuous, every step was solid and powerful.
As time passed, Minghui's spiritual realm became higher and higher, and he was not only able to strictly abide by the rules and precepts, but also to use the Dharma to help others. He often answered the doubts of pilgrims who came to seek the Dharma and explained the profound Dharma in plain language. His compassion and wisdom earned him the respect and admiration of all.
One day, another young monk came to the ancient temple, he had just arrived, and he did not know much about the rules of the temple. One day, he accidentally ate meat, and when the abbot found out, he was terrified. The abbot did not punish him, but asked him to talk to Minghui.
When the young monk found Minghui, he told him about his confusion and remorse. After hearing this, Minghui smiled and said, "Senior brother, you don't have to blame yourself too much. I made the same mistake at the beginning, but it was that experience that taught me the true meaning of spiritual practice. As long as you can sincerely repent and never make the same mistakes in the future, it is the best salvation for yourself. ”
When the young monk heard Minghui's words, his heart suddenly brightened. He thanked Minghui gratefully and decided to practice harder in the future and not allow himself to make the same mistakes again.
Since then, the monks in the ancient temples have followed the example of Minghui, they have learned from each other, helped each other, and pursued the highest level of cultivation together. Minghui has also been interpreting the meaning and value of practice with his own actions, and he has used his own experience to tell the world that as long as you sincerely follow the Buddha, strictly abide by the precepts, and continue to practice, you can attain Bodhi and achieve liberation.
With the passage of time, the little monk Minghui became more and more calm and wise in the ancient temple. His spiritual realm has been unfathomable, but he has always maintained a humble and low-key attitude, constantly exploring and advancing on the path of cultivation.
One day, a lost traveler came to the ancient temple, he was tired and hungry. Seeing the traveler like this, Minghui felt pity for him, so she took him to the meditation room and prepared some vegetarian food for him herself. Seeing this, the traveler was grateful, but he couldn't help but sigh: "Master monk, if I can eat a bite of meat, I am afraid that my life will be completely relieved." ”
Minghui listened and smiled slightly, he remembered his experience of stealing meat when he was young, and knew how important it was for cultivators to restrain their appetites. But he also understands that practice is not about completely abandoning the world, but about learning to find balance and detachment in the world.
So, Minghui said to the traveler, "Donor, meat is one of the five meats, and we cultivators should really stay away." But now that you are weak, I cannot die without help. I'll make an exception for you and get some meat, but you need to promise me that you will cultivate yourself and your temperament in the future, and stop craving your appetites. ”
After hearing this, the traveler quickly nodded in agreement. Minghui went to fetch some meat and cooked it with her own hands to recuperate for the traveler. Under Minghui's care, the traveler's body gradually recovered, and he was grateful to Minghui and had a sense of reverence for the Dharma.
After this incident spread in the ancient temple, some monks were puzzled, thinking that Minghui's move violated the rules and precepts. But the abbot smiled indifferently and said, "Minghui has already mastered the essence of Buddhism, and he knows how to use Buddhism to help the world and save people at the right time." This is not a breaking of vows, but a higher level of comprehension of the Dharma. ”
The monks listened to the abbot's words and nodded yes. They begin to understand the true meaning of cultivation more deeply, and no longer stick to superficial forms, but pay more attention to inner cultivation and improvement.
And Minghui also strengthened her cultivation path after this incident. He knows that practice is not about keeping the precepts in a static way, but about finding the true meaning of the Dharma in an ever-changing world and integrating it into one's own life.
Over the years, the monks in the ancient temple have passed down the story of Minghui from generation to generation, and they have used this story as a model of spiritual practice, reminding themselves to stick to the Dharma without losing their compassion. And the name of the little monk Minghui has forever remained in the long history of the ancient temple and has become a real virtuous monk.