The story of the five monks merciful to all living beings

How to practice loving sentient beings in daily life? We should follow the following behaviors of eminent monks and great masters who are compassionate to all living beings.

Master Zhishun

When Master Zhishun of the Sui Dynasty lived in Tingshan, one day, a pheasant was hunted by a hunter and flew into the mage's room. The mage persuaded the hunter to release the pheasant, but the hunter refused to listen, so he cut off his ear and gave it to the hunter.

The hunter was shocked, threw down his bow and arrow, and released the hunted eagles. Hunters from several villages around them have given up hunting since then.

Every time the monk saw poor people, he would burst into tears, save clothes and eat to help them, and care for all living beings in such a meticulous way.

We should also treat sentient beings like our parents, brothers, and sisters, and take care of them with equal compassion and compassion, and often think about giving them benefits and happiness.

Master Lingyu

There is a Master Lingyu, who is a master who is well-versed in scriptures and treatises and is famous overseas. The biography says that when he gave alms, he was "compassionate and respectful", and he was both compassionate and respectful.

He offered thousands of robes to monks and gave countless medicines to patients. Every time I get good food, I will definitely offer it to the monks and never scold or curse the beasts. When he wanted to criticize children or teach his disciples, he would call his own name and respectfully call the other party a "benevolent person". He would warn him with great thoughts, and all the listeners would be moved to tears.

Zen Master Gao'an

When Zen Master Gao'an in the Song Dynasty lived in Yunju Mountain, he heard that the monk moved to Yanshou Hall seriously ill, and he sighed as if he was sick. The Zen master goes to greet the patient every morning and evening, decocts and tastes the medicine himself, and then he can give it to the patient with peace of mind.

Whenever the weather is a little cold, the Zen master will stroke the patient's back and say, "Are you enough clothes? ”When the weather is hot, observe the patient's face and say, "Is it too hot? ”For patients who die, regardless of whether they have money or not, they will be given the final treatment according to the etiquette.

《The teachings of Master Samantabhadra says: As mentioned in the sutra, “the karma of compassion for the body, the karma of compassion for the words, and the karma of compassion for the mind”, do not harm sentient beings, and the only thing that is said in the mouth or done in the hands should not harm sentient beings. We should implement this, and Master Lingyu and Zen Master Gao'an are our examples.

Zen Master Zhihui

Zen Master Zhihui of the Tang Dynasty once built a bathroom for monks to take a bath, and also gave water and medicine at the same time.

There was a monk who had leprosy and no one liked him, so Zen Master Zhihui still helped him clean. After washing for a while, he saw a divine light in front of him, and the fragrance was swelling. He was shocked that the monk had disappeared. It turned out to be the manifestation of the saint.

The Buddha once said: After I die, I must offer to the patients well, because many sages show their presence. Master Atisha said: Caring for patients who have been ill for a long time is the same as practicing the great compassionate treasure of emptiness. Therefore, when encountering patients, you must practice compassion.

Tanxuan Mage

Master Tanxuan of the Tang Dynasty was compassionate and never saved money. He usually put a big pot and put the food obtained by the beggars into porridge. He asked the beggars to sit in a row and scoop porridge for them himself. Whenever I see someone among the beggars dressed in rags and thin, I can't help crying. I also sit with the beggar during meals, without any consideration. The mage cared for the beggar for so many years.

Master Zhikai

There was also a Master Zhikai in the Tang Dynasty who once lived in Longquan Temple in Yuyao, Zhejiang. According to local customs, most puppies are thrown on the road. Zhikai felt distressed when he saw this, so he adopted these puppies, about thirty or fifty. He also used a quilt to sleep with the puppy, and he didn't think the dog was dirty. For those who have been mothers, we should learn to be compassionate in this way.

In daily life, the general should be based on the teachings and deeds in the "Teachings of Master Samantabhadra":

All the majesty of the body should be gentle, quiet and gentle, not harm others, and diligently benefit others.

Don’t despise others, refute others, or satirize others in every word you say. You should speak truthful and pleasant language.

The same is true for consciousness. If you want to benefit others, you should not use hypocritical and gentle language to make others regard yourself as a Bodhisattva, and you should only seek benefit others in your heart.

You should visualize: May I not harm sentient beings in my lifetime, nor even a pore, and I will do the only benefit sentient beings. Make a vow repeatedly like this.

Especially for those who rely on their own family members, slaves, animals, etc., they cannot beat or use them or hurt them. Be kind at any time and anywhere.