Yoshida Kenko

Yoshida Kenko (1283- 1350) was a Japanese singer in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, equivalent to China's Yuan Dynasty (1279- 1368). He is proficient in Confucianism, Buddhism and the study of Laozi and Zhuangzi. In this collection of essays, the Taoist thoughts of Laozi and Zhuangzi are permeated between the lines, that is, quietism, conforming to nature, indifferent to fame and fortune, and not competing with the world.

When I was a child, Yoshida Kenko showed wisdom, traced back to the source and studied cause and effect. For example, at the end of this book, paragraph 234 reads:

When I was eight years old, I asked my father, "What is a Buddha?"

Father replied, "Buddha is a human being."

I asked again, "How do people become Buddhas?"

My father replied, "Follow the teachings of the Buddha and you will become a Buddha."

I asked again, "Who taught Buddhism?"

The father replied, "It belonged to Buddhism before him."

I asked again, "So what was the first Buddha who taught people to become a Buddha?"

Father smiled and said, "If it didn't fall from the sky, it came out of the ground. Who knows? "

In paragraph 68, he wrote about the importance of sincere faith:

Yu Saito has an escort who claims that white radish can cure all diseases. He bakes two slices every morning and has persisted for many years. One day, my enemy took advantage of the emptiness of defense and attacked his residence. Suddenly, two samurai appeared in the mansion, desperate to defend the enemy, and finally repelled them, causing them great confusion. They asked, "I haven't seen them in the mansion at ordinary times, but I don't know who to fight with in my next life." They replied, "We have always been trusted by you. We are the white radish you eat every morning." Then they disappeared.

Only those who believe in it have this blessing, right?

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There are not many comments below, just a brief list of the views on life and death, fame and fortune, life and learning embodied in Grass in vain, as well as a comparison with Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi's thoughts:

On life and death

Yoshida Kenko: Everything is born, and people have the longest life. Others, such as Mayflies, are born in the morning and die at night; Xia Chan, for example, only lives for one summer and doesn't know there are spring and autumn. However, living with a calm mind, one year seems to have no end; Living with a greedy and persistent attitude, delaying wealth, short dreams, although people's life span is a little longer, it is still impossible to stay in the world forever. What is the purpose of living as a passer-by in the world and waiting for the inevitable arrival of an old and ugly year? "Zhuangzi" has a cloud, "Life is so humiliating."

Zhuangzi: Little knowledge is not as good as great knowledge, and small years are not as good as big years. What if I know? I don't know the future, I don't know the spring and autumn. Free walk

Those who don't understand are not afraid, but still indulge in the pursuit of fame and fortune, only to find that their death is near. And fools are afraid of old age and want to live forever, which is the natural reason why they don't understand the replacement of life and death. (para. 100). 74)

Yoshida Kenko: Death does not come from the front, but from the rear. (para. 100). 155)

Laozi: Everything must be traced back to the source. After all, it means to be quiet and call me back. Life often speaks, and knowledge often speaks. I often don't know that I am a murderer. (Tao Te Ching)

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Yoshida Kenko: If you are afraid of death, you should cherish life, so you should enjoy every day of your life. But stupid people forget the happiness of life itself and deliberately pursue external happiness; Forgetting that life itself is a treasure, regardless of life and death, I am greedy for wealth outside my body and never satisfied. People who don't know the joy of life and are afraid of death are unhappy because they are not afraid of death. People are not afraid of death, but forget that death is what is in front of them. Only by transcending life and death can we know the true meaning. (para. 100). 93)

Zhuangzi: At that time, the master will come. At the right time, so is the master; Appropriate, the master is also suitable. When you are calm, you can't enter sadness and joy. ("Health Master")

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On fame and fortune

Yoshida Kenko: In this world, the most important thing is to covet fame. (first paragraph)

Zhuangzi: Famous people also compete with each other. People who know are also contending. Two kinds of weapons, not so good. ("Human World")

Since ancient times, it is rare to see rich and virtuous people. There is a reason for Tang Tu. There is nothing outside. Someone saw him drinking water with both hands and gave him a gourd ladle. He hung the water ladle on the tree, because the wind rustled and he was upset, so he abandoned it and still drank it with his hands. How clearly this man knows! (para. 100). 18)

Laozi: Simple and simple, selfish and without desire, never have to worry about learning. (Tao Te Ching)

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Yoshida Kenko: Driven by fame and fortune, it is unwise to be nervous and tired all your life. You only pay attention to accumulating money and neglect cultivation. Money is just a boring thing to buy. (para. 100). 38)

Zhuangzi: Wren nests in the depths of the forest, but there is only one; The mouse drank the water from the river, but the river was full. ("Xiaoyao Tour")

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On learning

Yoshida Kenko: People who aspire to be wise or saints should know that hypocrisy comes from wisdom, so that they can make people worry all their lives. No matter whether they master knowledge through others' teaching or through their own diligent study, they can't be said to have real wisdom. What is true wisdom? That is to understand the truth that can and can't be the same. No one knows a man who has no wisdom, no virtue, no job and no name, and no one makes his name known to future generations. Such a person does not mean that he is as smart as a fool, but has transcended the distinction between virtuous and foolish, gains and losses, and reached a higher level. (para. 100). 38)

Zhuangzi: Man has nothing, God is useless, and sage is nameless. ("Xiaoyao Tour")

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Yoshida Kenko: So what is the most important thing you want to do in your life? You should think it over and compare it carefully. Once you find the most important thing, don't think about anything else, just concentrate on it. In a day or an hour, there will be many things in front of us. We only need to do the most useful one, and the rest can be ignored, so we can concentrate on the first important thing. If you can't let go of what you should give up, you will definitely accomplish nothing. (para. 100). 188)

Laozi: If you have less, you will get it; if you have more, you will be confused. (Tao Te Ching)

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outlook on life

Yoshida Kenko: It's good not to argue with others, but follow others with self-denial and put yourself before others. (Paragraph 130)

Laozi: The husband does not dispute, and the world cannot contend with him.

? The way of a saint is indisputable.

? Dare not be the best in the world. (Tao Te Ching)

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Yoshida Kenko: Competing with others with one's own strengths is like an animal with horns trying to top people and an animal with teeth trying to bite people. People should have the virtue of not boasting their own strengths and not competing with others for victory or defeat. It is a big mistake to be competitive. (para. 100). 167)

Laozi: those who see themselves are unknown, those who are self-sufficient are not obvious, those who cut themselves are useless, and those who are self-satisfied are not long. (Tao Te Ching)

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Yoshida Kenko: All rare things will be appreciated by people with low tastes, so it's best not to use them. (para. 100). 139)

Laozi: Things are rare and precious, so as to prevent people from stealing. (Tao Te Ching)

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Yoshida Kenko: People should look ignorant and incompetent. (para. 232)

Zhuangzi: Those who have the ability work hard, and those who have wisdom worry; An incompetent person wants nothing. Lieyukou