I read with interest that the Shaolin CEO Yongxin "ordered" an extravagant Yun Jin kassa robe to be made in Nanjing, and it was completed a couple of days ago. This luxurious work of art costs 160,000 RMB. Just the gold thread used alone costs 50,000. The jade and gold buckle cost another 30,000 perhaps. The rest is the high quality silk as well as the intricate embroidery of various auspicious symbols on the kassa itself. Yun Jin artisans had been famous for making Imperial robes and prized kassa since the Six Dynasties Era (420-589 CE).This of course caused an uproar among Chinese netziens, but when queried Yongxin replied that he did not order the Kassa, but it was an offering made by Yun Jin to him. This precious kassa was not for his own use, but was to be displayed in the soon to be built Shaolin museum for research purposes. Reporters checked with Yun Jin and they also said the same thing.
So, what's the point of it all? The Diamond Sutra says, "Even if a person were to fill the whole universe with the 7 precious gems and use them for charity, it still could not compare to another person who could understand 1 gatha from this Sutra and explain it to others." The donor(s) is wrong to donate such a useless gift to a monk and the receiver is also wrong to receive it as this would only invite criticism from the lay people.
Regarding accepting this kind of offerings there is a Zen koan to illustrate the correct mindset a monastic should have. In the past after Dongshan's disciple Yunju had an initial awakening, he built a kuti in Sanfeng mountain to continue his cultivation. For days he did not go back to the temple to have his meal. So Dongshan sent for him and asked,
"Why have you not come to have your meal recently?"
Yunju replied, "When I'm meditating in my kuti, a Deva comes to offer me food everyday."
Dongshan was not too pleased and said, "I thought you were a very sharp student! Why do you harbour such views and conduct? Come to my chamber tonight, I want to talk to you."
So that night Yunju went to Dongshan's chamber to see him. Dongshan shouted,
"Yunju!"
"Here I am."
"Not to think of good, not to think of evil; what does this verse (from the Platform Sutra) mean?"
Yunju did not say anything, but when he went back to his kuti, his mind became very still and he entered into a deep state of cessation. From then on the Deva could no longer see him and thus after 3 days did not appear any more.
If one is devoted in seeking the Dharma, one should not even be moved by sublime offerings from the Devas; what more for mundane offerings from Men? This is the true meaning of renunciation and all monastics should do well to ponder this teaching whenever anybody makes special offerings to them.
2 comments:
The Diamond Sutra says, "Even if a person were to fill the whole universe with the 7 precious gems and use them for charity, it still could not compare to another person who could understand 1 gatha from this Sutra and explain it to others."
The statement cited above is very precise and truthful.
But please do not make mistake that it discourages people from giving/helping those in dire needs.
Instead, as long as one is not in a meditation session, one should think of the sufferings poor people of the world have been in such as Tibetan refugees in India, inside Tibet, poor people in India, latin america, Africa, etc.... Then, if one has means to help, then do so. Those who do not have means to help, then pray for them. Loving kindness, compassion, and altruism are parts of an enlightened mind. One own ego must be diminished in order for these bodhisattvas' qualities to grow.
Be aware that wealth and hell are often go hand in hand!
Idealism is a disease of the mind. In true giving and receiving there is no separation. A patchwork robe made from rags can be as much as a hindrance to practice as one made of fine silk brocade. Attachment is attachment. The great way is easy for those who do not pick and choose. May your practice go well.
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