Before composing the Thunder Sutra, the Master sometimes wandered throughout the Thất Sơn region and saw that some monks were practicing deception. As a Daoist master in temples and hermitages, one must leave family attachments, strictly observe precepts, study Sutras, and cultivate Wisdom to help those still lost. Yet, they display an outward appearance of piety, while inwardly they are concerned with wives and children, money, fighting over land and temples, etc. Furthermore, they even engage in fortune-telling, divination, and conducting rituals for the deceased in hopes that the people will offer money and gifts. How is this different from worldly people?
- Referring to this passage, the Master also lamented: “We share the same Buddhist path, so why still such words of praise and criticism…?” But this reflects His zeal:
“Seeing those who are lost, I give little counsel,
Never looking down on the monastic community.”
(Enlightening the Bewildered, Volume 4)
- At that time, the Master was concentrating all His efforts on enlightening people and saving lives, showing compassion toward all beings:
“Though the path is hard, a steadfast heart never wavers,
As long as sentient beings are guided toward liberation.”
(Sa Đéc)
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