Chapter 155
One is Many; Many is One . Many people had understood it as: the heart manifests the myriad Dharma; the myriad Dharmas return to one; despite the world being huge; only the heart was the biggest! Never did anyone think of things from such a simple angle .
What Fangzheng had said today filled them with wisdom . They felt enlightened!
For instance, why did they have worries? Although they claimed to cast off their worries could they really cast them off in practice? If they had truly discarded their worries, why did they care about winning or losing when discussing Buddhism? Shouldn't they draw on the strong points of others to make up for the weak points of themselves, and approach it from different angles sincerely? If they truly had cast everything off, why did they care who was rookie king? Everyone turned more embarrassed the more they thought . They looked at Fangzheng again and realized that he had not vied for anything from beginning to end, to the point of it being forced upon him . His pure eyes and radiant smile made everyone feel ashamed about their unworthiness .
Yi Xing was stunned rooted to the spot . He originally believed that Fangzheng was a cheat but now from the looks of it, he was not a cheat but a true master! He had real intellect!
Yi Xing could not help but ask, "Abbot Fangzheng, since you have such an understanding, why didn't you compete previously?"
Fangzheng definitely could not say that he lacked the knowledge to compete . Instead, he said perfunctorily with a smile, "To compete is to not compete . To not compete is to compete . "
Everyone was confounded when they heard that . They did not figure out what he meant after thinking all day . Finally all of them came with their own conclusions and felt that Fangzheng was even more unfathomable . Who would dare belittle such an extraordinary person after his crossing the river on a reed and his explanation of the scriptures?
Despite remaining unsatisfied, Yi Xing no longer dared to challenge Fangzheng . He had a sudden stroke of brilliance as he asked, "Abbot Fangzheng, what you said is truly enlightening . You have benefited This Penniless Monk a great deal . Especially the insight you gain regarding the myriad things in the world . It is not anything like insipid sutras . It has really broadened This Penniless Monk's perceptions . This Penniless Monk wishes that Abbot Fangzheng will continue preaching more . "
With Yi Xing taking the lead, everyone jolted to their senses as they clamored .
"Abbot Fangzheng, please preach more . "
"Abbot Fangzheng, what you said was too short . It wasn't enough . Give a longer sermon . "
"Abbott Fangzheng, what you said was excellent . We want to hear more!"
. . .
Fangzheng came close to tears when he heard everyone's shouts . Preach more? He had already delivered all he knew . Did they really think that meaningful insights were so commonplace!? After being on the mountain for so long, that was all he understood . He had poured out all he knew so what else was there for him?
Fangzheng said, "Everyone, it's not early . The sun is about to set . If this continues, everyone will have to starve . "
"The ancients say that acquiring comprehension of the truth in the morning leaves one contented even if one dies in the evening! What's mere starving when there is truth to be heard today?"
"That's right . Abbot Fangzheng, don't stand on ceremony . Continue explaining the scriptures . "
"Abbott Fangzheng don't worry about our stomachs . Scripture allows for an empty stomach!"
"That's right, that's right . . . "
Fangzheng truly wanted to cry when he heard that . He thought to himself, "You guys might acquire comprehension of the truth in the morning leaving you contented even if you die in the evening . That's just perfunctory talk . If I really have to continue, I'll actually die! There's nothing at all, what else can I say? Also, who's standing on ceremony with you? Can't you show some grace to This Penniless Monk? Let This Penniless Monk have a meal, a good sleep, so as to run off the next day!"
At that moment Zen Master Hongyan said, "Abbot Fangzheng, why don't you continue?"
Zen Master Baiyun also added, "Abbot Fangzheng, since everyone is so keen on it, why don't you continue? This Penniless Monk would like to know what sort of Buddhist Dharma insights you gained from nature . What you just said previously is, in fact, shared by This Penniless Monk as well . "
Everyone was given a fright when they heard this . Fangzheng was actually almost on par with Zen Master Baiyun! This was equivalent to Zen Master Baiyun affirming Fangzheng's conclusion . That was impressive! It made everyone wish to listen to any subsequent teachings!
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