Compared with the inherent category of China traditional culture, what are the special charms of Buddhism that attract China people?
Answering this question is academically risky and easy to offend many traditional cultural factions. But I still want to say some personal shallow views from the way of existence.
The first special charm of Buddhism lies in its concentrated attention and in-depth analysis of world life.
Other theories will also pay attention to life, but they are often not focused and in-depth. Without saying a few words, they "slip of the tongue" or move to other issues that they think are more important. They always think that life problems are valuable only if they support other problems, and it is meaningless to study them alone. For example, Confucianism may shift to how to govern the country and level the world, Taoism may shift to how to cultivate immortals, Legalists may shift to how to play tricks, and poets and scribes may shift to how to keep the language quiet. Only Buddhism will never shift, always pay attention to people's birth and death, and explore ways to get rid of the suffering of life.
At first glance, those problems that have been transferred are vast and grand, which are related to the kingly country, the bloody battle, the honor and disgrace of the family and the charm of honor and disgrace. But if you think about it carefully, it is just one-sided history, the cross section of time and space, and the floating surface of life, which is very likely to brew the pain of others and yourself, impermanent and fleeting. Buddhism has seen through all this, so it puts these problems on hold, lets them cool down slowly, and guides people to pay attention to life and life topics that are always closely related to everyone.
Because of this, even a generation of Confucian scholars will be lost in thought when they hear Brahma's chanting, even the foot soldiers will be heartbroken when they hear the bells and drums in the morning, and even the royal nobles will burn incense and salute when they meet famous temples. Buddhism touched their * * * same problem, and it was a * * * same problem that they didn't really solve. This is the first reason why it is attractive.
The second special charm of Buddhism lies in the rapidity and thoroughness of its argument.
The topic of life is so big that I don't know how many speculative detours and how many words will be entangled in general. Buddhism, on the other hand, is clean and neat, like mercury pouring down the ground, refreshing and decisive, without any turbidity. As soon as I came up, I asserted that life is bitter. The cause of pain is greed. The reason for greed is ignorance. If we want to eliminate suffering, we must realize that everything has no substance, but karma is gathering and dispersing, everything is changing, life and death have cause and effect, and even "I" is an illusion, so don't cling to falsehood. By establishing the concept of "no self" and "impermanence" and holding the heart of "kindness, sadness, joy and abandonment", we can lead all beings to get rid of reincarnation, enter the infinite and reach nirvana.
I think, from these casual introductions just written casually, people can already experience a penetrating refreshment. Moreover, this refreshing can open everyone's experience and understanding, and make them feel inspired at first sight, instead of waiting left and right in the maze of thinking.
The attraction of this pleasure is of course enormous. It's as if in the buzzing discussion, a holy wise man suddenly appeared, and everything ended in a few words, with a kind and generous smile, which was so charming.
In fact, when Sakyamuni enlightened his disciples all the way before his death, he was so simple and simple that he directly hit the experience of all beings. Otherwise, it is impossible to have so many believers everywhere, but later Buddhist scholars became more and more profound out of reverence and research. Buddhism was introduced into China, accompanied by metaphysics in Wei and Jin Dynasties for a period of time, but it was soon discovered that most people in China were not used to abstract thinking and believed in intuition, which coincided with the spirit of primitive Buddhism, so a large number of outstanding Buddhist thinkers began to restore the simplicity and thoroughness of the past and even made new progress. For example, Zen believes that all beings have Buddha nature, and when they realize it, they will arrive at the Buddha land; Pure land Sect believes that people can achieve bliss by chanting Buddha; Tiantai Sect believes that people can "think about three thousand" and understand the three truths of emptiness, falsehood and neutrality through visualization; Hua Yanzong believes that all the endless things in the world are smooth and clear ... These ideas are to explore the world with clear ideas, just like the spring clearing the dust and the wind driving the fog. Even those who disagree with these conclusions can't help shouting: Come on!
The mainstream form of China's traditional culture often pursues grandeur and elegance too much and lacks a kind of spiritual pleasure. Occasionally, there are some quick words, mostly aimed at social systems and ethos, but they lose focus on the topic of life.
The third special charm of Buddhism lies in the practical rules of participation.
As soon as you heard it, I knew I was talking about commandments. There are many Buddhist precepts, some of which are very strict, which will make people afraid to participate, but on the contrary, the precepts increase the attraction of Buddhism. One of the reasons is that precepts make people feel that Buddhism is credible. It's like going to see a yard. Before you really see layers of walls, fences and heavy railings, you can't be sure just by listening to the description. Fences, fences and railings are commandments, but seemingly obstacles are reliable proof of the existence of the courtyard. The second reason is that the precepts make people feel that Buddhism is feasible. Just like we're going to climb a mountain. There are roads everywhere, and there are no roads everywhere. Suddenly, we saw a stone road, which is very difficult to climb, but it is feasible to reach the top of the mountain through specific procedures at one level.
In contrast, China's traditional culture is mostly in a "freehand brushwork state". Have opinions and few boundaries; Inspired, less screening; Persuade, less taboo; Have ideas, less methods; If you have a goal, take fewer steps. This state seems to be convenient to enter, but it makes people feel insecure, easy to retreat, and stay away from people.
The most typical example is the concept of "gentleman" pursued by Confucianism. I have been chasing and talking for more than two thousand years, but what is a gentleman? What isn't? What is the standard to distinguish between a gentleman and a non-gentleman? What kind of training procedure does an ordinary person have to go through to become a gentleman? But no one can say clearly, or the more you say it, the less clear it is. As a result, the gentleman has become an existence without boundaries and bottom lines, a floating cloud and an empty expectation. In the long run, Confucianism will lose its credentials for participation. People who have been involved in Confucianism seem to be many, but they are not. Even a large number of candidates who take part in the imperial examination are only shaping according to the official standard model rather than the gentleman model.
Buddhist precepts are difficult step by step and clear step by step. At first glance, it doesn't necessarily correspond to the highest realm of Buddhism, but as long as we act first, we can let the practitioners slowly sort out their thoughts, then settle down from the precepts, then get bored and gradually sprout wisdom. By this time, the pure possibility of the highest realm is looming in front of us. Buddhism's "precept, determination and wisdom" expresses this procedure. If most ordained believers may not be able to reach the highest level, then they have already made progress in this cultivation process, and having fellow teachers and friends around them will naturally produce a sense of collective belonging.
Different from the cultivation goal of Taoism, Buddhism does not pursue the magical effect of "becoming immortal in the flesh" and "living forever", so even if the precepts are implemented, it is not necessary to bear the proof of efficacy. This is its superiority, but in China's time, some sects relied too much on understanding, rather than penance, and despised precepts and rules. Of course, it has also helped many experts to complete the spiritual leap, but it has also opened the door to excessive convenience for more believers who may not be truly enlightened. Correspondingly, the Pure Land Sect, which was particularly popular in the Tang Dynasty, was too easy to do. After this momentum is accumulated, there will be serious consequences of false Zen style. This also shows from the opposite side that Buddhist discipline is still very important, not too smart, not too freehand brushwork, not too impatient.
This reminds me of Master Hongyi. It is reasonable for him to enter Buddhism from a talented modern cultural person and choose Zen or Pure Land Sect, but he finally chose Nanshan Method with strict discipline. I think it is his fault that he is too clever, too freehand, too impatient and determined to avoid modern intellectuals. This choice made him truly become a generation of monks.
Of course, many people have always been close to Buddhism, just to pursue peace, freedom and relaxation of mind. No self-discipline in practice is another matter.
The fourth special charm of Buddhism lies in the powerful and touching team of preaching Buddhism.
Hundred schools of thought in China had disciples, among whom Confucianism lasted the longest. However, from five aspects: orderly organization, strict participation, concentrated activities, internal and external identification, and unity of different time and space, no one can compare with Buddhist monks.
Since Buddhism was introduced into China, the general public's understanding of Buddhism has often been obtained through the manners, words and deeds of monks, mages, lamas and living buddhas, and dress etiquette. Generation after generation, the name of the monk's robe has become the main signal for people to perceive Buddhism. Their virtue and kindness have also become a direct model for people to understand their beliefs. Buddhism has shown obvious personality characteristics since Sakyamuni, and Buddhist thoughts have been popularized by monks all over the world with countless personality images.
Western Christian and Catholic clergy are also very powerful, but Buddhist monks are not clergy, and they do not undertake the mission of praying for others to eliminate disasters and praying for forgiveness of sins on behalf of God. Buddhist monks are just monks. They set an example for the majority of Buddhist believers with their noble character and clean life.
They must strictly abide by the commandments of not killing, stealing, lewdness, lying, swearing, hiding money, trading, fortune telling, cheating, robbing and threatening others. Adhere to the thrifty and industrious collective life and concentrate on practice.
At the beginning of practice, we should look at the suffering of life and the impurity of the vulgar body according to the Buddha, so as to realize the impermanence and impermanence; Then, in action, we should stop evil, promote good and save suffering, and cultivate compassion, compassion and the mentality and ecology of benefiting all beings.
Compared with the majority of people who believe in Buddhism, becoming a monk is always a minority, because becoming a monk requires great determination and many conditions. Once you become a monk, it is possible to practice more intently and purely. Becoming a monk is to join a spiritual group. Generally, more than four people may be called "Sangha". Within a group like the Sangha, a series of harmonious principles are stipulated, such as the so-called "six harmonies" of abstinence, sight, benefit, body, mouth and mind, and some self-review systems and collection and funding systems, which effectively reduce the contradictions and conflicts between them and increase the overall synergy.
Such a Sangha team, even if it is involved in all spiritual and cultural combinations in the world, is particularly strong and lasting, and because its main behavior is to persuade the good to save the suffering, it is deeply welcomed by the people with a touching image.
The above four special charms of Buddhism are aimed at the weakness of China traditional culture in its way of existence, which has become the reason why it finally merged into China culture.
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I can also use my own personal experience to prove the amazing vitality of Buddhism in China.
In my hometown, Wang Yangming, Huang Zongxi and Zhu Shunshui have been called "great scholars" by the world, but when I was born, few people knew their names in Fiona Fang, dozens of miles away, and no one knew what they proposed, even a few words. My hometown is like this, and other places must be similar. Chewing this phenomenon repeatedly after growing up has dispelled many unrealistic cultural dreams. No matter how deep you think, what is the ultimate significance if you are basically out of touch with mountain civilization forever?
At that time, in my hometown, there were wars and bandits. The only trace related to civilization is that every family has a female parent who is vegetarian and chanting scriptures, and she is doing "accumulating virtue and doing good deeds" every day. None of them can read, but they can recite the Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra skillfully, and one third can recite the Diamond Sutra. As the head of the family, they strongly promote the psychological trend of the whole family. As a result, the yellow-walled Buddhist temple, chimes and cymbals in the small temple have become the sustenance of these poor villages. I believe that the reason why these villages have not been dismembered by hatred and the reason why these villagers have not been swept away by evil is related to the Buddhist chanting team composed of illiterate women.
In these villages, the only one who is familiar with China cultural classics is my grandfather. He lived a leisurely and poor life in a Taoist way, enjoying himself, but completely useless to the world. He occasionally inscribed pastoral poems on the temple wall, and only he enjoyed them. Taoism is not equal to Taoism, but there are justified Taoist priests in neighboring villages. Taoist priests have a low status in the hearts of villagers, but they just help arrange some funerals and drive away diseases, which is no different from farmers on weekdays.
This picture I recalled in my childhood is not a special case. Because I later asked many seniors and peers in different villages, the situation was basically the same. This shows that in the vast majority of hinterland of China culture, between the skin reached by capillaries, the traces of Buddhism are much more active and effective than other cultural elements.
Unfortunately, Buddhism itself had declined at that time. After the late Ming Dynasty, with the social and economic development in southeast China, utilitarianism flooded, and practicing Buddhism became a means of seeking happiness, and many Confucian classics and schools directly corresponding to utilitarian goals appeared. This momentum intensified from the Qing Dynasty to modern times. The original intention of Buddhism is to extradite all sentient beings to give up greed and seek transcendence, but many places do the opposite and even worship Buddha out of greed. It looks like a piece of incense, but it is ignited by the flame of desire. Not far from this sighing scene, many Buddhist masters are studying and explaining the classics, but they are all secrets that are difficult for ordinary people to understand. These two extremes constitute the decline of Buddhism.
It was in Taiwan Province Province that I regained my optimism about the future of Buddhism. Foguang Mountain, founded by Master Xingyun, has been devoted to bringing Buddhism to the real world and the great cause all over the world for decades, with outstanding achievements and millions of fixed believers. I have lived there many times, and I have seen a large number of young monks with modern international education background. Their smiles are sincere and sincere, and they are kind to all life. Every day, they are busy with big and small things that benefit all beings and inspire people. It is always very exciting. I think the historical importance of Buddhism has been fully proved in two thousand years, and its practical importance depends on today's practice. Now, this proof is so wonderful. Taiwan Province Province is experiencing such a complicated modern transformation and internal and external collision. Why don't you leave? One of the important reasons is Buddhism. Apart from Foguang Mountain, the Tzu Chi Merit Club led by Master Yan Zheng also deeply touched me. Taking medical care as the center, they treat diseases and save lives everywhere. No matter where serious natural disasters occur in the world, they always strive to arrive at the first time, so that contemporary people can strongly perceive the original meaning of Buddhism again and again. Tzu Chi Meritorious Society also has millions of regular followers.
Master Xing Yun, Master Yan Zheng, or another Buddhist philosopher who I respect very much, have done a lot of good deeds in this world, but they all focus on spiritual enlightenment. They fully affirmed the normal happiness of the human world, and constantly explained the most basic Buddhism to modern people like good life teachers, effectively and vividly removed all kinds of selfish obstacles in people's hearts, thus effectively reducing a large number of vicious conflicts. Their amazing popularity in today's place has made Buddhism shine beyond the previous generation.
Because of them, I am optimistic not only about the future of Buddhism, but also about the people of the world, and even about China culture by extension.
Our land is very complacent, because it carries too many drums and hooves, the voice of benevolence and morality, but it finally gives way to a soft and mysterious voice from the West. At the beginning, it was not in vain to chase the footprints of bones step by step in the desolate desert, because the sound they pursued became an inevitable need for lively mountains and rivers. Busy mountains and rivers often become numb to their own inevitable needs, so there is a solemn mission that culture should shoulder, that is, to awaken those who have blocked their souls again and again because of arrogance.
Since the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, the wise men in China have been used to looking up and listening, and found that some voices are completely different from the loud voices around them, which really affect everyone's inner life. It was this kind of listening that gradually led to the peaceful and elegant Tang civilization.