There is a disciple named Geng Sangchu, who has a deep understanding of the road that Lao Tzu talked about and lives in the mountains in the north. After living for three years, great changes have taken place in the folk customs of this place: men can eat enough when farming, and women can wear warm clothes when weaving, and they all do their best. Children are innocent, people are harmonious and the world is peaceful. Everyone wants to recommend Geng Sangchu as the monarch. When Geng Sangchu heard about it, he was very unhappy and wanted to move to another place. His disciples don't understand. Geng Sangchu said: "A huge beast can swallow a car with its mouth open, which can be said to be very powerful. But when it walks alone outside the mountain forest, it will inevitably be caught. " A huge fish can swallow a boat with its mouth open, and its strength can be said to be great. However, when it jumps on the beach, a group of ants can eat it. So birds like the sky high, wild animals like dense forests, fish like the depth of the sea, and rabbits like many holes. The sky is high and birds can fly; Lin Mi, wild animals can hide; The sea is so deep that fish can dive to the bottom; There are many holes, and rabbits can escape. They are all trying to save their bodies and lives. Similarly, people who are good at saving people should restrain themselves and hide their tracks, so they like meanness and mediocrity. "
One of Geng Sangchu's disciples, Nan Rong, is in his thirties this year. After listening to Geng Sangchu's remarks today, he wanted to ask him how to practice Buddhism. Geng Sangchu said, "As the ancients said, a ground bee can't hatch caterpillars, and a Vietnamese chicken can't hatch swans. Each has its own abilities. My intelligence is limited and I can't teach you. Why don't you go south to the Song Dynasty and ask Mr. Lao Tzu for advice? " Nan Rong bid farewell to Geng Sangchu, braved the wind and snow, walked for seven days and seven nights, and came to Lao Zi's house.
When Nan Rong saw Lao Zi, he said, "Disciple Nan Rong, whose qualifications are dull and difficult to teach, came here for seven days and seven nights to consult a sage." Laozi said, "What do you want to ask?" "The method of cultivation." Laozi said: "The way to cultivate Buddhism lies in being calm and clear-headed. A calm and pure heart can wash away the dirt in your heart. What is the dirt in your heart? One is the thirst for material things, and the other is the thirst for knowledge. If we can get rid of these desires and desires, our hearts will be very calm; Peace of mind, whether it is action or silence, is natural. When the action is natural, there is nothing in his heart. So he should sleep, get up when he should, go when he should, and rest when he should. Nothing that happens or appears outside can disturb his heart. So the way to learn monasticism is to get rid of inner and outer desires. Those who have reached the Tao will forget their inner and outer desires. Inside, refers to the heart; Outside, it refers to things. Removing both inside and outside means removing inner desires and the temptation of all kinds of material desires outside; Forgetting inside and outside refers to forgetting the temptation of inner desires and external material desires. From removal to forgetting, the inside and outside form an organic whole, and when everything returns to nature, we can reach the road! Now, you are obsessed with learning Tao, which is desire. If you can get rid of the desire to seek Tao, your heart will naturally be peaceful; Peace of mind, the road can be built! " Hearing this, Nan Rong's mind of painstakingly seeking Tao suddenly vanished, relieved, and her body and mind became cool, open-minded and indifferent. So I thanked Laozi and said, "A word from your teacher is better than ten years' practice. Now I don't ask for monasticism. I hope you can teach me how to keep healthy. "
Laozi said: "The method of keeping in good health should let nature take its course. I don't know the direction when I move, and I don't know what to do when I'm quiet. Just follow the laws of nature. Everything in the world is formed by the interaction of yin and yang. The static thing is feminine, the moving thing is masculine, and the inner essence of human beings should be in harmony with nature. Action should be like running water, silence should be like a mirror, and response should be quick and loud. This is the way to maintain health. " Nan Rong asked: "Is this the perfect state of health preservation?" Laozi said: "No, this is to purify your heart, and this is the beginning of entering nature. Want to enter the realm of perfection, live with the beast without thinking about its inferiority, and enjoy with God without thinking about its wealth; Do something unconventional, calm down and don't think about strategy, don't care about action, and have no desire and desire to communicate with people. " Nan Rong asked, "Is this the perfect state?" Lao Tzu said, "Not yet. If a person's body stands between heaven and earth like a dead branch; The heart is like a burnt leaf in the body. In this way, you don't feel hot in hot summer, and you don't know cold in snowy winter. A sword can't hurt him, nor can a tiger and a leopard hurt him. Therefore, no evil will befall him, and no good news will befall him. No disaster, no happiness, so forget the pain and forget the joy. "