Buddhism Nourishes the Heart, Taoism Nourishes the Nature - [Philosophy, Cultivation, and Wisdom of the Chinese People]

Author: Du Daning
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: There are always many people who study the Dao, but very few who attain it.
Dao Lin practiced in Qiwang Mountain in Hangzhou, building his nest on the pine trees in the mountains, hence the title "Bird's Nest Zen Master." Additionally, because many magpies nested and resided near his dwelling, he was also known as "Magpie's Nest Monk."
In the 15th year of the Yuanhe era, the great poet Bai Juyi was appointed as the governor of Hangzhou. Bai Juyi highly esteemed Chan Buddhism and, upon hearing that the eminent monk Bird's Nest resided on Qiwang Mountain, he was delighted and decided to visit him to learn about Chan teachings.
One day, Bai Juyi climbed the mountain to visit Bird's Nest Zen Master. Gazing up at the lofty grass hut suspended in the air, he felt quite nervous and said with concern, "Your dwelling is very precarious."
However, Bird's Nest Zen Master dismissed his concern with disdain and replied, "I think your residence is even more precarious."
Bai Juyi, puzzled, asked, "As an important official who governs the state and is highly trusted by the emperor, how could there be any danger?"
Bird's Nest Zen Master answered, "The fire of desire burns fiercely, life is impermanent, and the mortal world is like a burning house. You are trapped in attachments and understanding, unable to extricate yourself—how is that not dangerous?"
Indeed, the position of a statesman is fraught with peril, as seen in frequent instances of demotion, downfall, dismissal, or being framed as a scapegoat. Bai Juyi himself had been demoted from the capital and had come to Hangzhou for this reason.
Seeming to grasp some insight, Bai Juyi changed the subject and asked, "What is the essence of the Dharma?"
The Zen Master replied, "Avoid all evil and practice all good!"
Hearing this, Bai Juyi had expected the Zen Master to impart profound teachings, but instead, he was disappointed by such ordinary words and said, "This is something even a three-year-old child knows!"
The Zen Master said, "Though a three-year-old may understand it, an eighty-year-old may not be able to practice it."
After hearing the Zen Master's words, Bai Juyi completely changed his arrogant and self-righteous attitude.
Enlightenment: The fire of desire burns fiercely, life is impermanent, and the mortal world is like a burning house. Many people understand this truth, yet they cannot extricate themselves. Many principles are simple, but putting them into practice is difficult. Therefore, there are always many people who study the Dao, but very few who attain it.
Every fruit was once a flower.
There was a monk who often looked down on the weathered old man. One day, he went for a walk in the forest garden with his master. The young monk casually plucked a flower and said, "Master, young people are like this flower, full of vitality. How can the elderly compare to the young?"
After listening, the master paused for a moment and, as they passed by the fruit orchard, picked up a walnut in his palm and said, "Child, your analogy is correct. If you are a flower, I am this withered fruit. However, the truth tells us: flowers love to reveal life in dazzling petals, while fruits prefer to condense life in hidden seeds!"
The young monk was still not convinced and asked, "If there were no flowers, where would the fruits come from?"
The master laughed heartily, "Indeed, every fruit was once a flower. Yet, not every flower becomes a fruit!"
Enlightenment: Not every flower becomes a fruit—only those