Just like the "Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch" that is very popular in China, when the Sixth Patriarch Huineng met Master Hongren, Master Hongren asked him, what do you want to ask for when you come to me?

is like Master Huiyi, one of the four great monks of the Ming Dynasty . He said in "Lingfeng Sect Theory": "The Dharma has seven bad appearances and six good appearances. What are the seven bad appearances? One fears the fate of heaven, knows the fate of being lonely, and because the family is poor, it makes one monk. Two seeks boring, and seeks happiness, so one becomes a monk. 3 Three seeks a noble, so one becomes a monk. 4 Four accepts precepts because of good names. 5 Five good names are called listening to sutras. 6 Six tunnels are clumsy, so one practices. 7 Seven good names are called meditation. Although the seven types are of different heights, the advantages and disadvantages are judged. are both the cause and the ground are not true, and the bad methods are the same. "

Ancient masters became monks. Because of their pure intentions, they are very helpful to the people of this country. The emperors and even civil and military officials in ancient times were also happy to get close to these eminent monks and great masters. The great monks and great masters also had a deep wisdom in meditation and Prajna, which could solve the problems of the emperors, civil and military officials at that time. It can promote the harmonious progress of society at that time and plays an extremely important role in the construction of spiritual civilization.

Of course, there are no monks who are pure in their minds now, but compared to ancient times, there are very few. This can be seen in the works of the ancients.

Master Lianchi, one of the four great monks of the Ming Dynasty, mentioned the four simple materials for becoming a monk in "Bamboo Window Essays". He pointed out:

There are those who become monks at home and have a heart, some who become monks at home and have a heart, some who become monks at home and have no body and mind, and some who become monks at home and have both body and mind. Although some people live in their families and have parents and wives, their hearts are always on the Tao and are not contaminated by the worldly world. This is called being at home and becoming a monk. Although some people live in temples and are not burdened by their parents and wives, their hearts are attached to the world and are busy pursuing fame and fortune like ordinary people all day long. This is because they become a monk and are not a monk.

Someone lives in the world and is bound by worldly affairs for life. He never has a single thought to seek liberation. This is a matter of neither body nor mind. Some people live in temples and work hard for life, without any thought of regressing laziness. This is a monk who has become a monk with both body and mind.

The ancients wrote four materials for monks with body and mind, which is based on this. Even so, to become a monk with both body and mind, of course there is no problem for those with superior roots and wisdom. If you cannot become a monk with both body and mind, instead of being a monk with body and mind but not being a monk, you would rather be a layperson who is obedient. Why? Wearing a cassock not only makes you feel free, but you can’t even protect yourself from your personal life. Wouldn’t you be so sad?

Master Lianchi also believed in "The Record of the Monks' Conquests", that most people have just become monks, and although the wishes they make are big and small, they still have a sense of Tao. Over time, they are polluted by fame, wealth, and causes. Then they build palaces, dress, buy land, real estate, and adopt disciples and servants; save more money, and devote themselves to doing the same things as laymen, and love to cling to each other, making them the same as secular people. The Buddhist scriptures say: If someone becomes a monk and practices, the demon Behas will be afraid. If a monk becomes a worldly monk like this, then Mara can drink and celebrate. Those who have developed the Bodhicitta and become monks should know this in advance.

I once saw a monk who practiced asceticism in the deep mountains. As soon as he came out of the mountain, he was converted and offered by more than a dozen good men and women. After a long time, he lost his power of Tao and has been mediocre since then. What's more, there are even worse people! The ancients said that after becoming a monk, they must leave the family of troubles and cut off the entanglement of worldly affairs and vulgarities. This is the monk's life after becoming a monk. It is easy to become a monk before becoming a monk, but it is difficult to become a monk after becoming a monk. I was trembling about this matter, worried day and night, and I was afraid that I had made the above mistakes.

can also be seen from these words that in the Ming Dynasty, there were already many monks who became monks who had no contribution to this society.
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Another eminent monk, Master Huiyi, also mentioned in the "Lingfeng Sect Theory - Preface to the Yuanju": "The sutra says: 'It is better to practice in the Pure Land for one kalpa than to practice in the Saha world for one day.' I also say: ' It is better to practice in the monastery for one kalpa than to practice in the monastery for one day. 'There are many evil causes and conditions at home, and they can not forget the Three Jewels and refuse to give up their mindfulness. It is a lotus in the fire, which is rare. Become a monk and stay away from dust and in peace in the forest. The superiors are indulged in emptiness and silence, and do not care about the sufferings of the world. The inferiors are quiet and think about movement, and they envy the glory of the city. How could the turbid water Mani flow and the clear light be as clear as before? ”

Master Huiyi believes that if a monk cannot feel the pain of the people in the world after he becomes a monk, and is unwilling to do more charitable things that are beneficial to society and are beneficial to the people, then the state of becoming a monk is wrong. As for the fact that after becoming a monk, not only will he not let his heart become peaceful, but he envys those rich people in the world. He tries to make more money after becoming a monk, just like some temples invest in companies, how to find ways to make money by going public, building the temple magnificent, and only paying attention to personal enjoyment, then this is the ultimate situation of becoming a monk.

originally Monks who become monks should think more about the sufferings of the masses in this society. After becoming a monk, they just contribute to their country and society and do more charity. Instead of blindly making money through sutra repentance and making money through temple companies, they will lose the original intention of becoming a monk, doing more charity and benefiting the masses in society.

Because monks themselves should repay the country's kindness and repay the country's lord's kindness. Master Zibai , one of the four great monks of the Ming Dynasty, pointed out that Buddhism's birth practice cannot forget the grace of the monarch in this world. He once said: "Whether monks and lay people cultivate blessings and wisdom, blessings and wisdom are ten, the king gets six points, and those who practice are four points. Why? Because the emperor is the king of the world. Those who do good fortune and wisdom do not rely on the virtues of the world's master and protector, and want to do good fortune and wisdom will never be obtained. Therefore, those who cultivate blessings and wisdom will never forget the kindness of your king. ”

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​ The reason why some modern monks have not contributed to this society is because they do not have a correct view. In this regard, Master Hanshan Deqing , one of the four great monks of the Ming Dynasty, once said to Qian Qianyi : "In this world, the way of the Li method is in the deserted autumn. If a great power comes out, who can support it? I once said that the world is to correct people's hearts, and the Dharma protector is to correct people's hearts. However, correcting people's hearts must be based on correct people's hearts. ”
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In order to enable monks to maintain correct knowledge and truly make contributions to society, Master Hanshan Deqing also said: “If you don’t know the Lotus Sutra, you don’t know the painstaking efforts of Tathagata to save the world; if you don’t know the "Lingyun", you don’t know the key to cultivating the mind and enlightenment; if you don’t know the "Lingyun", you don’t know the right and wrong of knowing the evil and right. ”

Therefore, as a monk, you should have the intention to study the scriptures and learn the works of ancient great masters. You should have a normal mind to repay the country and do more things that will contribute to the society and the people, so that you will not let down the monks in this life.