There was a very famous painter who one day he wanted to paint Buddhas and devils. But in reality, he couldn't find their original forms, and he couldn't imagine what they looked like in his mind, so he was in a hurry.
By chance, he went to the monastery to worship and stumbled upon a monk, whose temperament deeply attracted the painter. So he went to the monk and promised him a lot of money, on the condition that he would make a model for the painter, and later, the painter's work was completed, and it became a sensation in the future.
The painter said: It is the most satisfactory painting I have ever painted, because the person who modeled me must think that he is a Buddha, and the clear and serene temperament of his body can move everyone.
The painter finally gave the monk a lot of money and fulfilled his promise. Because of this painting, people no longer called him a painter, but called him a painter, and after a while, he was ready to start painting the devil, but this became a problem for him, where to find the original form of the devil? He visited many places and found many fierce-looking people, but none of them were satisfied.
Finally, he found it in prison. The painter was very happy, because it was too difficult to find a man who looked like a devil in reality! When he faced the prisoner, the prisoner suddenly lost his voice and wept in front of him.
The painter was very strange, so he asked the prisoner what was going on, and the prisoner said: Why was it that you were looking for me when you painted the Buddha last time, and now when you paint the devil, you are still looking for me!
The painter was astonished, and Yu Liang looked at the prisoner carefully and said: How is it possible? The person I was looking for in the painting of the Buddha had an extraordinary temperament, and you looked like a pure devil, how could you be the same person? It's so strange that it's incomprehensible. The man said sadly, "You have turned me from a Buddha into a devil."
The painter said: Why do you say this, I didn't do anything to you. The man said, "Ever since I got the money you gave me, I've gone to spend my days and nights looking for pleasure." Later, the money was spent, and I was used to that kind of life, and the desire had been out of control, so I robbed other people's money, as long as I could get money, I could do anything bad, and the result became what I am today.
The painter listened to him and was filled with emotion, and he was amazed at how quickly human nature changed in the face of desire, and how fragile man was, so he threw away his paintbrush guiltily, and never painted again.
Money is like a shackle, greed is a grave, the pursuit of fame and profit is ultimately just an emptiness, in this world, the most terrible thing is human desire.
No one will refuse to admit that life is a practice that is not compromised, perhaps you are like a newborn calf, not familiar with the world; perhaps your cultivation is still shallow, not enough to "stir up the wind and waves"; perhaps you are hovering on the verge of becoming a Buddha or a demon; but in any case, please be sure to control your changing mind, because the Buddha's thoughts are bound to be different results, what is a Buddha, free and leisurely is a Buddha, without dispute with the world is a Buddha, knowing how to advance and retreat is a Buddha.
How can you make yourself not become a demon at a critical moment, in a single thought? I think it is still necessary to constantly improve your cultivation behavior, enrich yourself with work, idle to read more philosophical books, get closer to people with positive energy, and avoid encounters with demons, which is the best way not to become a demon, because the choice between that thought will often completely change your life, may you be a Buddha, not a demon.
Story 1: A general who has fled from the battlefield falls to the side of the road, dying. A passing farmer spotted him and handed him a steamed bun and a bowl of water. The general was saved and walked down the road. The farmer's house was in front of him, and when he walked in, he saw that the house was surrounded by walls and had nothing. He was in tears and couldn't get up on his knees. A few years later, the accomplished general rode a high-headed horse, carried thousands of taels of silver to thank the farmer, and with a grateful heart, often rescued those in distress.
Story B: A general fleeing from the battlefield falls on the side of the road, dying. A passing farmer spotted him and handed him a steamed bun and a bowl of water. The general was saved and walked down the road. The farmer's house was in front of him, and when he walked in, he saw that the farmer's family was well-off, and there were a lot of good food on the living room table. In an instant, instead of gratitude, he drew his sword, stabbed the farmer to death, and fled. Soon, he was pierced by ten thousand arrows on the battlefield, and trampled into meat by countless war horses.
Same story, two different endings. One thought becomes a Buddha, one thought becomes a demon, one thought is heaven, one thought is a region. Some people say that only the sun and the human heart in this world cannot be looked at directly. Sometimes, we give kindness, but in return for kindness is not gratitude and kindness, we should be grateful to him. Gratitude is a heart lamp that illuminates your way forward. One thought becomes a Buddha, one thought becomes a demon. As a human being, you need to have more Buddha-nature and less demonic nature, and you will get infinite blessings!
Welcome to the Chinese Everyone's Book Club!
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Be thankful that heaven and earth nourish all things! Thanks to the country for cultivating and protecting!
Thank you for the nurturing grace of your parents! Thanks to the teacher for teaching!
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May all sentient beings be joyful, healthy, happy, rich, abundant, and all perfect!