When the Empress Dowager Bowed Down to Master Xu Yun (1900)!
Translator’s Note: Master Xu Yun’s biography text is much bigger today within Mainland China than that contained within the English translation (‘Empty Cloud’) produced by Charles Luk in the 1960s. This is because thousands of individuals have come forward with their own stories regarding experiences they had with Master Xu Yun – including various forms of documentary evidence – which has included the discovery of numerous archive records that often provide objective evidence of certain episodes in the life of Xu Yun. Although ‘Empty Cloud’ provides a sound introductory foundation to the life of Master Xu Yun, the narrative omits much, contains numerous editing, historical and factual errors, and includes a few stories not verified by any other objective evidence. Cen Xue Lu and Charles Luk adjusted the text to suit the political climate of the time – and extracted certain texts for similar reason. Needless to say, the entire text of the ‘Empty Cloud’ requires a thorough revising and updating. What follows is an English translation of a Chinese language text which quotes directly from the ‘Imperial Qing Dynasty Archive’ for the year ‘1900’. This is a priceless addition to the biography of Master Xu Yun as it provides minute details of what he was doing during the so-called ‘Boxer Uprising’ of 1900 – which culminated in a Western Allied military force invading Beijing and killing an estimated 50,000 Chinese men, women and children! Master Xu Yun, at one point during this massacre, was stood amongst the bodies of the dead and dying – and between the two opposing armies! (His life was threatened by a Western soldier at one-point – who decided not to kill him and move on). For Master Xu Yun, all these events are the product of greed, hatred and delusion – which must be overcome through the cultivation of non-greed, non-hatred and non-delusion! What follows are the actions Master Xu Yun took to quell this violence and attempt to replace hate with compassion! This text was translated on the 63rd anniversary of the passing of Master Xu Yun (1959-2022).
ACW (11.10.2022)
ACW (11.10.2022)
Religion has always had a unique and mysterious place in the world - colouring our existence and adding texture to our lives. Among these various world religions – historically speaking - Buddhism in China has been indispensable for most people's lives. With the gradual fading of religion in people's lives during modern times, religious masters have become very rare – with the biography of Great Master (大师 - Da Shi) Xu Yun (虚云) or ‘Empty Cloud’ being a rare example of Buddhism surviving into modern times.
Master Xu Yun left home at 19-years old to join the Buddhist monastic order – and practiced the Dharma for 101-years! Throughout his life, Master Xu Yun walked in the world with a compassionate mind and heart – whilst simultaneously winning the respect and admiration of the rulers of the Qing Dynasty and the common people. Indeed, such was his virtue that he lived into his 120th year and his story is still being told to this day!
Escaping the World of Red Dust - Through the Empty Gate!
Master Xu Yun was born in the Quanzhou are of Fujian province during 1840. His family (common) name was ‘Xiao Guyan’ (萧古岩) whilst his father was employed in assisting the County Magistrate at the time of his birth. As a consequence, Master Xu Yun’s family was very wealthy and lived a leisurely lifestyle of consuming good food, wearing expensive clothing and travelling widely! This is why his father placed a lot of hope in his son passing the Imperial Examination as a vehicle to social and political progression! To this end, Master Xu Yun was provided by his father with all the best teachers and experienced the finest education available at the time. By his teenage years – he was fully literate and had already studied most of China’s great books – making his father very happy with his development!
What Xiao Guyan's father could not have known at the time was that although his son liked to read - he did not like reading the books he had to ‘memorize’ to pass the Imperial Examinations – but rather liked to study the Buddhist Sutras when nobody was watching! When Xiao Guyan was still young, he developed a strong interest in the Profound Dharma and hoped that one day he could find an opportunity to leave the world of red dust and escape through the empty gate! The plans his loving parents had for him in his youth, however, were so powerful and ‘heavy’ with expectation and responsibility that a young Xiao Guyan did not possess the willpower or ability to contradict this direction of development!
When he was 17-years old, by chance, Xiao Guyan finally had the courage to confess to his father that he wanted to become a Buddhist monastic. As a means to counter this unexpected wilful expression – his father instead selected for him a number of wives. Even so, for two years Xiao Guyan did not touch the two young women placed in his family home as his marriage partners. Instead, when he reached 19-years of age – he quietly left the family home and travelled to a Buddhist temple located in the nearby hills. Here, he ordained as a Buddhist monastic – and would eventually take the name ‘Empty Cloud’ (虚云 - Xu Yun) as a means to escape the mundane world! In order to avoid his father's persuasion (and escape the people sent to find him and bring him back), Master Xu Yun hid deep in the mountains and forests where he practiced meditation for four years. During these four-years, Master Xu Yun gained a fundamental insight into the essence of Buddhism and the meaning of the Dharma.
Withstand the Wind and the Rain and Gain Respect!
After becoming a Buddhist monastic, Master Xu Yun began a life of travelling from one place to the next in order to gain understanding of the profound Buddha-Dharma! During these decades-long journey, Master Xu Yun saw all kinds of different states of being in the world, together with the warmth and coldness of human beings! It is through these experiences that his awareness and appreciation of reality matured, and his understanding of the Dharma increased. As he travelled widely, Master Xu Yun became very well-known in ‘Old’ China simply by being physically ‘present’ in different places at different times! Indeed, he travelled so much that he even became known by the Qing Imperial family! Wherever he went he refused good food and accommodation – never once indulging any sense of comfort or convenience. Whenever he met people – regardless of their social status – he always taught them how to act in accordance with the ‘Way’ (道 - Dao). This is why over many decades he became one of the most famous – and yet ‘elusive’ - Buddhist monastics China has ever produced! Whenever Master Xu Yun felt constrained or hemmed-in by convention – he would quietly ‘leave’ the situation and disappear from view.
Due to Master Xu Yun's fame and talent, his reputation was known (and quickly appreciated) by the then ruler of Imperial China - the Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧). The Empress Dowager Cixi issued a decree summoning Master Xu Yun to the Imperial Palace - which granted him permission to enter and be in Her presence to teach the Dharma! Although the Empress Dowager was renowned for being strict and severe in her punishments – Master Xu Yun possessed the humanitarian skills to completely disarm Her Majesty – a quality this powerful Buddhist woman immediately admired! Indeed, the Empress Dowager never forgot her encounter with Master Xu Yun and in 1900 - when the current situation was turbulent at home and abroad - in order to avoid further war - the Empress Dowager Cixi fled Beijing (carrying Her own gold and silver).
As she was preparing to leave, Her ministers informed Her Majesty that Master Xu Yun was reported to be calmly walking about the various battlefields in Beijing – talking to Chinese and foreign soldiers alike and offering comfort for the thousands of dead and dying people (and animals)! Afraid for his safety in these difficult times, the Empress Dowager ordered a group of Her most trusted Imperial Bodyguard Troops to fight their way into his presence and IMMEDIATELY extract him (by force if necessary) from the surroundings he found himself within! This is how Master Xu Yun was ‘acquired’ by the Imperial Entourage – which was led by the famous Baguazhang martial artist ‘Yin Fu’ (尹福) - and fled Westward to the safety of Xi’an!
It is reported that Master Xu Yun only reluctantly acquiesced to this situation and was completely unafraid of the power Her Imperial Majesty possessed! When summoned into her presence, Master Xu Yun said that the Imperial Family only know opulence and luxury – but the ordinary people are fighting and dying for their privilege! Master Xu Yun stated that as he follows the Buddha-Dharma his place should be with the dead and the dying – and NOT the rich and the safe! Despite a shocked silence in Her presence – Xu Yun continued – he explained that the force of karma oscillates between two-poles of rich and poor, powerful and weak! He said that those rich today – may well be poor tomorrow – all depending upon their attitude of mind and chosen paths of behaviour! Only by breaking the cycle of greed, hatred and delusion (and firmly penetrating the empty mind ground) can ordinary beings escape the rounds of life, death and rebirth! As matters stand, warfare is one of the greatest tragedies of human existence!
When Master Xu Yun accompanied the Empress Dowager Cixi in Her escape from Beijing - it was in August of that year - which is the hottest time of the year. Due to the war, people outside the city of Beijing were struggling to survive, many men, women and children were dying from starvation, with the air filled with the stench of death. As there was a lack of food, it is reported that many people resorted to ‘cannibalism’ in order to survive – and that Master Xu Yun was persuading people to ‘meditate’ instead of eating dead human flesh when the Imperial Bodyguards fought their way to his position, or worst still – preventing the desperate from killing the living (usually the weak and the young) so they could consume their bodies! All this Master Xu Yun dared to explain to the Empress Dowager – who was shocked to hear such statements being made in her presence!
At the same time, the weather was very hot, and the bodies of people who died (due to various reasons) were not treated in time, and were left to rot on the roadside and in the water. As a result, a large-scale plague spread – communicable by air and through polluted water sources. The poorest people possessed the least resources and access to food, medical treatment and temple services (that respectfully ‘processed’ deceased bodies). As a consequence, the plague attacked this mass of humanity without mercy – spreading in waves and cycles which nobody could escape, stop or prevent! Master Xu Yun stated that a Buddhist monastic manages his or her body and behaviour according to the Vinaya Disciple – which requires daily cleansing and orderly discipline. As illness can be prevented and stopped through simple self-discipline – it is the duty of a Buddhist monastic to communicate this Buddhist knowledge and wisdom freely to the ordinary people of the world!
Seeing this hellish situation, Master Xu Yun, who had the welfare of all the people in his mind (East and West), could not help but feel sad in his heart. In order to keep the people away from these diseases, (at least in China), Master Xu Yun knew that he must circumnavigate the Authority of the Empress Dowager – and speak directly to the Emperor Guangxu (光緒) - the latter of whom possessed the power to issue country-wide edicts. As Master Xu Yun had already made such a positive impression on everyone in the Imperial entourage – his request for an audience with Emperor Guangxu was approved. When they met, Master Xu Yun explained to Emperor Guangxu that his normally loyal subjects in China were suffering terribly from the latest war – and that many were so poor that they were resorting to eating the flesh of dead human bodies (which had died of illness or injury) - or worst still – were killing the young and defenceless to use as a source of food! Master Xu Yun respectfully requested that the Emperor Guangxu issue an Imperial Edict ‘Forbidding’ any form of ‘cannibalism’ throughout his Kingdom!
Then, after negotiating with the Imperial Family, Master Xu Yun stated that although they possessed immense political power – the Buddha-Dharma had a greater power connected to it providing the Buddhist practitioner was ‘pure’ in their practice and adhered to the Vinaya Discipline correctly! As a demonstration, Master Xu Yun chose to use his own Dharma skills in the performance of a ritual to benefit the well-being for the people of the world! He did this by focusing his mind and chanting the Sutras in order to generate a heavy snowfall! The thinking behind this was that all the rotting bodies would be ‘frozen’, the smell would stop, and the spread of disease would be reduced. Furthermore, when a body is frozen solid, it is very difficult to strip and eat the flesh! Initially, the Imperial Family advised that as his standing was so high with them – and given that they were willing to issue Edicts and conform to everything he had said – there was no need to perform this extraordinary ritual (as many Officials and Ministers secretly believed it would not work and that Xu Yun would lose face with the Imperial Family).
When Master Xu Yun heard all this chatter – he laughed out loud – and stated that the Buddha-Dharma is greater than any worldly power and that he has no interest whatsoever in how other people view him, or what other people think about him. The only things that matter are the continuous uprooting of greed, hatred and delusion, and the perpetual observation of the empty mind ground – coupled with a profound sense of non-attachment! Once all this is in place, the processes of the material world can be fully manipulated and brought into line with the requirements of the Buddha-Dharma. As the wellbeing of the ordinary people of the world was his primary concern – he felt compelled to carry out this ritual to assist in the general relieving of suffering! As for his social status – Master Xu Yun explained that he had no interest whatsoever!
Master Xu Yun prepared a suitable platform for sustained chanting and meditation practice. He also gathered a large number of Buddhist monastics around him from the various Buddhist traditions. The ritual was carried out in an orderly and sustained manner. Master Xu Yun chanted and meditated (together with hundreds of Buddhist monks) without interruption for seven full days and nights! During this time, he never stood up to walk around, he never laid down to sleep, he never ate any food or drank any water and he never relieved himself. He sat with the strength of an iron mountain and did not move! His virtue and integrity shone bright like the mid-day sun – clear for all see – and shining on everyone equally! Bear in mind that it was August and China was experiencing a heatwave! All the Imperial Family and their entourage were soaked in perspiration – as was Xu Yun and all the monks sat with him! Suddenly, on the seventh day the sky darkened with a thick layer of clouds – and heavy snow fell from the sky!
The snow fell all across North China and gave people water to drink and helped to slow-down and stop the spread of plague! As the bodies were hidden (and frozen in many instances) the incidents of ‘cannibalism’ reduced significantly! When the Empress Dowager was informed of this happening – she immediately instructed her maid to prepare Her for travelling to Master Xu Yun so that she could pay her respects to him! It was at this point in the history of Imperial China that the Empress Dowager entered the presence of Master Xu Yun and alighted from Her ‘throne’ and knelt on the floor – touching her head, elbows and knees to the floor out of respect! Master Xu Yun took no notice and continued to generate positive karma for the people of China! Afterwards, when questioned about this, Master Xu Yun was concerned for the dignity of the Empress Dowager and would neither confirm nor deny this occurrence. This did not matter, as hundreds of other people witnessed this highly unusual happening!
Such Was His Virtue - Master Xu Yun Lived into His 120th Year!
It is no exaggeration to say that Master Xu Yun was definitely a high-ranking Buddhist monastic who possessed unusual strength of character and teaching ability – attributes which contributed to his very good reputation at the time. Despite this general sense of respect and admiration throughout all strata of Chinese society, Master Xu Yun never forgot his responsibility as a simple Buddhist monastic whose primary function was the teaching and demonstration of the Dharma! This is why Master Xu Yun travelled all over the Asian world (outside of Mainland China) - and was particularly interested in ALL the different kinds of Westerners he encountered! Indeed, he thought that with the correct translation abilities, the genuine teaching of the Chinese Ch’an School could be transmitted to the Western world – and a sense of world peace accomplished! He was advised that at the time the most effective language to lead this transmission was ‘English’ - and he acted accordingly (acquiring the skills of his English-speaking ethnic Chinese disciple – Charles Luk).
It is thought that the disciples of Master Xu Yun (across the world) amount to the hundreds of thousands (although exact numbers are not known)! As time has gone by, and more people inside and outside of China know about the extraordinary life of Master Xu Yun – entirely new generations of disciples and students are generated! Master Xu Yun taught through logic and reason, and acknowledged the requirement of ‘conviction’ - but rejected blind faith. Dharma practitioners must understand exactly a) what the Buddha taught, and b) what the Buddha meant. It is only through this proper understanding of the Buddha’s message that meditation can be applied to the mind and the uprooting of greed, hatred and delusion can be accomplished! Once the surface activity of the mind is ‘stilled’ - then the empty mind ground can be clearly perceived and united with – but training must continue to eradicate the eons of negative karma the essence of which remains in the mind like mud that has sunk to the bottom of the riverbed. A constant ‘polishing’ will shine the mirror of the empty mind ground, clear the ‘klesa’ and expand the awareness!
Since Master Xu Yun took refuge in Buddhism at the age of 19-years old (in 1859), he dedicated himself to the in-depth study of the Dharma for every single day of the 101-years he lived as a Buddhist monastic! He did this to purify his own mind and body, and in so doing – purify the outer environment and everything within it! He believed the essence of Buddhist practice is the upholding of the Vinaya Discipline – which male and female monastics must follow to the letter – and lay-people should follow as appropriate! Not only this, but those interested in perfecting the path of Chinese Buddhism (of any School) the ‘Bodhisattva Vows’ must also be taken and followed! Within Chinese Buddhism, the Vinaya Discipline is often associated with the ‘Theravada’ tradition – whilst the ‘Bodhisattva Vows’ are associated with the ‘Mahayana’ tradition! Even when he was about to leave his body (in 1959) after 101-years of monastic practice - Master Xu Yun advised his disciples to give-up the mundane world to look carefully within! After his body was cremated – Master Xu Yun requested that his ashes be rolled into small dough-balls – which should be thrown into the local river to feed the fish. This was done – but amongst his remains was a number of rare jewel-like objects! These were collected and enshrined as Master Xu Yun’s ‘relics’!
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2022.
Master Xu Yun left home at 19-years old to join the Buddhist monastic order – and practiced the Dharma for 101-years! Throughout his life, Master Xu Yun walked in the world with a compassionate mind and heart – whilst simultaneously winning the respect and admiration of the rulers of the Qing Dynasty and the common people. Indeed, such was his virtue that he lived into his 120th year and his story is still being told to this day!
Escaping the World of Red Dust - Through the Empty Gate!
Master Xu Yun was born in the Quanzhou are of Fujian province during 1840. His family (common) name was ‘Xiao Guyan’ (萧古岩) whilst his father was employed in assisting the County Magistrate at the time of his birth. As a consequence, Master Xu Yun’s family was very wealthy and lived a leisurely lifestyle of consuming good food, wearing expensive clothing and travelling widely! This is why his father placed a lot of hope in his son passing the Imperial Examination as a vehicle to social and political progression! To this end, Master Xu Yun was provided by his father with all the best teachers and experienced the finest education available at the time. By his teenage years – he was fully literate and had already studied most of China’s great books – making his father very happy with his development!
What Xiao Guyan's father could not have known at the time was that although his son liked to read - he did not like reading the books he had to ‘memorize’ to pass the Imperial Examinations – but rather liked to study the Buddhist Sutras when nobody was watching! When Xiao Guyan was still young, he developed a strong interest in the Profound Dharma and hoped that one day he could find an opportunity to leave the world of red dust and escape through the empty gate! The plans his loving parents had for him in his youth, however, were so powerful and ‘heavy’ with expectation and responsibility that a young Xiao Guyan did not possess the willpower or ability to contradict this direction of development!
When he was 17-years old, by chance, Xiao Guyan finally had the courage to confess to his father that he wanted to become a Buddhist monastic. As a means to counter this unexpected wilful expression – his father instead selected for him a number of wives. Even so, for two years Xiao Guyan did not touch the two young women placed in his family home as his marriage partners. Instead, when he reached 19-years of age – he quietly left the family home and travelled to a Buddhist temple located in the nearby hills. Here, he ordained as a Buddhist monastic – and would eventually take the name ‘Empty Cloud’ (虚云 - Xu Yun) as a means to escape the mundane world! In order to avoid his father's persuasion (and escape the people sent to find him and bring him back), Master Xu Yun hid deep in the mountains and forests where he practiced meditation for four years. During these four-years, Master Xu Yun gained a fundamental insight into the essence of Buddhism and the meaning of the Dharma.
Withstand the Wind and the Rain and Gain Respect!
After becoming a Buddhist monastic, Master Xu Yun began a life of travelling from one place to the next in order to gain understanding of the profound Buddha-Dharma! During these decades-long journey, Master Xu Yun saw all kinds of different states of being in the world, together with the warmth and coldness of human beings! It is through these experiences that his awareness and appreciation of reality matured, and his understanding of the Dharma increased. As he travelled widely, Master Xu Yun became very well-known in ‘Old’ China simply by being physically ‘present’ in different places at different times! Indeed, he travelled so much that he even became known by the Qing Imperial family! Wherever he went he refused good food and accommodation – never once indulging any sense of comfort or convenience. Whenever he met people – regardless of their social status – he always taught them how to act in accordance with the ‘Way’ (道 - Dao). This is why over many decades he became one of the most famous – and yet ‘elusive’ - Buddhist monastics China has ever produced! Whenever Master Xu Yun felt constrained or hemmed-in by convention – he would quietly ‘leave’ the situation and disappear from view.
Due to Master Xu Yun's fame and talent, his reputation was known (and quickly appreciated) by the then ruler of Imperial China - the Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧). The Empress Dowager Cixi issued a decree summoning Master Xu Yun to the Imperial Palace - which granted him permission to enter and be in Her presence to teach the Dharma! Although the Empress Dowager was renowned for being strict and severe in her punishments – Master Xu Yun possessed the humanitarian skills to completely disarm Her Majesty – a quality this powerful Buddhist woman immediately admired! Indeed, the Empress Dowager never forgot her encounter with Master Xu Yun and in 1900 - when the current situation was turbulent at home and abroad - in order to avoid further war - the Empress Dowager Cixi fled Beijing (carrying Her own gold and silver).
As she was preparing to leave, Her ministers informed Her Majesty that Master Xu Yun was reported to be calmly walking about the various battlefields in Beijing – talking to Chinese and foreign soldiers alike and offering comfort for the thousands of dead and dying people (and animals)! Afraid for his safety in these difficult times, the Empress Dowager ordered a group of Her most trusted Imperial Bodyguard Troops to fight their way into his presence and IMMEDIATELY extract him (by force if necessary) from the surroundings he found himself within! This is how Master Xu Yun was ‘acquired’ by the Imperial Entourage – which was led by the famous Baguazhang martial artist ‘Yin Fu’ (尹福) - and fled Westward to the safety of Xi’an!
It is reported that Master Xu Yun only reluctantly acquiesced to this situation and was completely unafraid of the power Her Imperial Majesty possessed! When summoned into her presence, Master Xu Yun said that the Imperial Family only know opulence and luxury – but the ordinary people are fighting and dying for their privilege! Master Xu Yun stated that as he follows the Buddha-Dharma his place should be with the dead and the dying – and NOT the rich and the safe! Despite a shocked silence in Her presence – Xu Yun continued – he explained that the force of karma oscillates between two-poles of rich and poor, powerful and weak! He said that those rich today – may well be poor tomorrow – all depending upon their attitude of mind and chosen paths of behaviour! Only by breaking the cycle of greed, hatred and delusion (and firmly penetrating the empty mind ground) can ordinary beings escape the rounds of life, death and rebirth! As matters stand, warfare is one of the greatest tragedies of human existence!
When Master Xu Yun accompanied the Empress Dowager Cixi in Her escape from Beijing - it was in August of that year - which is the hottest time of the year. Due to the war, people outside the city of Beijing were struggling to survive, many men, women and children were dying from starvation, with the air filled with the stench of death. As there was a lack of food, it is reported that many people resorted to ‘cannibalism’ in order to survive – and that Master Xu Yun was persuading people to ‘meditate’ instead of eating dead human flesh when the Imperial Bodyguards fought their way to his position, or worst still – preventing the desperate from killing the living (usually the weak and the young) so they could consume their bodies! All this Master Xu Yun dared to explain to the Empress Dowager – who was shocked to hear such statements being made in her presence!
At the same time, the weather was very hot, and the bodies of people who died (due to various reasons) were not treated in time, and were left to rot on the roadside and in the water. As a result, a large-scale plague spread – communicable by air and through polluted water sources. The poorest people possessed the least resources and access to food, medical treatment and temple services (that respectfully ‘processed’ deceased bodies). As a consequence, the plague attacked this mass of humanity without mercy – spreading in waves and cycles which nobody could escape, stop or prevent! Master Xu Yun stated that a Buddhist monastic manages his or her body and behaviour according to the Vinaya Disciple – which requires daily cleansing and orderly discipline. As illness can be prevented and stopped through simple self-discipline – it is the duty of a Buddhist monastic to communicate this Buddhist knowledge and wisdom freely to the ordinary people of the world!
Seeing this hellish situation, Master Xu Yun, who had the welfare of all the people in his mind (East and West), could not help but feel sad in his heart. In order to keep the people away from these diseases, (at least in China), Master Xu Yun knew that he must circumnavigate the Authority of the Empress Dowager – and speak directly to the Emperor Guangxu (光緒) - the latter of whom possessed the power to issue country-wide edicts. As Master Xu Yun had already made such a positive impression on everyone in the Imperial entourage – his request for an audience with Emperor Guangxu was approved. When they met, Master Xu Yun explained to Emperor Guangxu that his normally loyal subjects in China were suffering terribly from the latest war – and that many were so poor that they were resorting to eating the flesh of dead human bodies (which had died of illness or injury) - or worst still – were killing the young and defenceless to use as a source of food! Master Xu Yun respectfully requested that the Emperor Guangxu issue an Imperial Edict ‘Forbidding’ any form of ‘cannibalism’ throughout his Kingdom!
Then, after negotiating with the Imperial Family, Master Xu Yun stated that although they possessed immense political power – the Buddha-Dharma had a greater power connected to it providing the Buddhist practitioner was ‘pure’ in their practice and adhered to the Vinaya Discipline correctly! As a demonstration, Master Xu Yun chose to use his own Dharma skills in the performance of a ritual to benefit the well-being for the people of the world! He did this by focusing his mind and chanting the Sutras in order to generate a heavy snowfall! The thinking behind this was that all the rotting bodies would be ‘frozen’, the smell would stop, and the spread of disease would be reduced. Furthermore, when a body is frozen solid, it is very difficult to strip and eat the flesh! Initially, the Imperial Family advised that as his standing was so high with them – and given that they were willing to issue Edicts and conform to everything he had said – there was no need to perform this extraordinary ritual (as many Officials and Ministers secretly believed it would not work and that Xu Yun would lose face with the Imperial Family).
When Master Xu Yun heard all this chatter – he laughed out loud – and stated that the Buddha-Dharma is greater than any worldly power and that he has no interest whatsoever in how other people view him, or what other people think about him. The only things that matter are the continuous uprooting of greed, hatred and delusion, and the perpetual observation of the empty mind ground – coupled with a profound sense of non-attachment! Once all this is in place, the processes of the material world can be fully manipulated and brought into line with the requirements of the Buddha-Dharma. As the wellbeing of the ordinary people of the world was his primary concern – he felt compelled to carry out this ritual to assist in the general relieving of suffering! As for his social status – Master Xu Yun explained that he had no interest whatsoever!
Master Xu Yun prepared a suitable platform for sustained chanting and meditation practice. He also gathered a large number of Buddhist monastics around him from the various Buddhist traditions. The ritual was carried out in an orderly and sustained manner. Master Xu Yun chanted and meditated (together with hundreds of Buddhist monks) without interruption for seven full days and nights! During this time, he never stood up to walk around, he never laid down to sleep, he never ate any food or drank any water and he never relieved himself. He sat with the strength of an iron mountain and did not move! His virtue and integrity shone bright like the mid-day sun – clear for all see – and shining on everyone equally! Bear in mind that it was August and China was experiencing a heatwave! All the Imperial Family and their entourage were soaked in perspiration – as was Xu Yun and all the monks sat with him! Suddenly, on the seventh day the sky darkened with a thick layer of clouds – and heavy snow fell from the sky!
The snow fell all across North China and gave people water to drink and helped to slow-down and stop the spread of plague! As the bodies were hidden (and frozen in many instances) the incidents of ‘cannibalism’ reduced significantly! When the Empress Dowager was informed of this happening – she immediately instructed her maid to prepare Her for travelling to Master Xu Yun so that she could pay her respects to him! It was at this point in the history of Imperial China that the Empress Dowager entered the presence of Master Xu Yun and alighted from Her ‘throne’ and knelt on the floor – touching her head, elbows and knees to the floor out of respect! Master Xu Yun took no notice and continued to generate positive karma for the people of China! Afterwards, when questioned about this, Master Xu Yun was concerned for the dignity of the Empress Dowager and would neither confirm nor deny this occurrence. This did not matter, as hundreds of other people witnessed this highly unusual happening!
Such Was His Virtue - Master Xu Yun Lived into His 120th Year!
It is no exaggeration to say that Master Xu Yun was definitely a high-ranking Buddhist monastic who possessed unusual strength of character and teaching ability – attributes which contributed to his very good reputation at the time. Despite this general sense of respect and admiration throughout all strata of Chinese society, Master Xu Yun never forgot his responsibility as a simple Buddhist monastic whose primary function was the teaching and demonstration of the Dharma! This is why Master Xu Yun travelled all over the Asian world (outside of Mainland China) - and was particularly interested in ALL the different kinds of Westerners he encountered! Indeed, he thought that with the correct translation abilities, the genuine teaching of the Chinese Ch’an School could be transmitted to the Western world – and a sense of world peace accomplished! He was advised that at the time the most effective language to lead this transmission was ‘English’ - and he acted accordingly (acquiring the skills of his English-speaking ethnic Chinese disciple – Charles Luk).
It is thought that the disciples of Master Xu Yun (across the world) amount to the hundreds of thousands (although exact numbers are not known)! As time has gone by, and more people inside and outside of China know about the extraordinary life of Master Xu Yun – entirely new generations of disciples and students are generated! Master Xu Yun taught through logic and reason, and acknowledged the requirement of ‘conviction’ - but rejected blind faith. Dharma practitioners must understand exactly a) what the Buddha taught, and b) what the Buddha meant. It is only through this proper understanding of the Buddha’s message that meditation can be applied to the mind and the uprooting of greed, hatred and delusion can be accomplished! Once the surface activity of the mind is ‘stilled’ - then the empty mind ground can be clearly perceived and united with – but training must continue to eradicate the eons of negative karma the essence of which remains in the mind like mud that has sunk to the bottom of the riverbed. A constant ‘polishing’ will shine the mirror of the empty mind ground, clear the ‘klesa’ and expand the awareness!
Since Master Xu Yun took refuge in Buddhism at the age of 19-years old (in 1859), he dedicated himself to the in-depth study of the Dharma for every single day of the 101-years he lived as a Buddhist monastic! He did this to purify his own mind and body, and in so doing – purify the outer environment and everything within it! He believed the essence of Buddhist practice is the upholding of the Vinaya Discipline – which male and female monastics must follow to the letter – and lay-people should follow as appropriate! Not only this, but those interested in perfecting the path of Chinese Buddhism (of any School) the ‘Bodhisattva Vows’ must also be taken and followed! Within Chinese Buddhism, the Vinaya Discipline is often associated with the ‘Theravada’ tradition – whilst the ‘Bodhisattva Vows’ are associated with the ‘Mahayana’ tradition! Even when he was about to leave his body (in 1959) after 101-years of monastic practice - Master Xu Yun advised his disciples to give-up the mundane world to look carefully within! After his body was cremated – Master Xu Yun requested that his ashes be rolled into small dough-balls – which should be thrown into the local river to feed the fish. This was done – but amongst his remains was a number of rare jewel-like objects! These were collected and enshrined as Master Xu Yun’s ‘relics’!
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2022.
Chinese Language Source: https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1707614144879941538&wfr=spider&for=pc 虚云和尚:天赋异禀,慈禧曾给他下跪,活了120岁
一直以来宗教在人们的生活中总是带有一种独特的神秘色彩,在这些各种各样的宗教中,佛教则是大多数人们生活中不可缺少的。
不过,随着近代以来宗教在人们的生活中逐渐淡去,宗教大师也显得十分稀少了,而虚云大师就是现代鲜有的佛教代表人物。
19岁就出家的虚云大师,修行佛教一百多年,一生以一颗慈悲心行于世间,获得了清朝统治者以及老百姓的尊重与爱戴。时至今日,他的故事仍旧为人们所传颂。
远离红尘,遁入空门
1840年,虚云大师出生于福建泉州,俗名萧古岩,而他的父亲在当时因为是帮着县太爷做事的人,所以在衣穿住行上倒也是十分富裕的。
做父亲的当然是对自己的儿子寄予了厚望,在那时科举仍旧是大多数人跨越阶级的门路。
于是,在萧古岩很小的时候,他的父亲就已经开始教授他识字看书,为了能让他将来有出息,他的父亲可以说是竭尽全力为他找最好的老师。
好在,萧古岩本身天资聪颖,在这些读书写字的事情上一点就通,倒也让他的父亲非常欣
此时萧古岩的父亲绝对想不到的是,自己的儿子虽然爱看书,却不是像他想象的那样爱看那些考科举要背的书籍,而是喜欢那些佛家经书。
在萧古岩年龄尚小时,他就对于高深的佛法产生了浓厚的兴趣,并且希望自己有一天能够找到机会远离红尘,遁入空门。
不过,萧古岩再多的打算也抵不过那个时代父母的安排。在他17岁的时候,一些机缘巧合之下,他终于有了勇气向自己的父亲坦露自己想要出家的想法,可是他的父亲并不同意,并且他的父亲深信“先成家,后立业”说法,为了将他牢牢地“禁锢”在家里,他的父亲做主给他娶了妻子。
尽管如此,在成家两年后,萧古岩仍旧独自一人跑到了附近的寺庙出家了,取法号为“虚云”。
为了躲避父亲的劝说,他更是躲到了深山老林之中修行,这一去便是四年。四年之后,独自清修的虚云对于佛法的奥义也有了许多自己的参悟。
呼风唤雨,赢得尊重
出家之后,虚云为了更加深刻地理解佛法,便开始了他的游历生活,在这场为期几十年的游历生活中,虚云见识了世间百态,见识了人情冷暖,而他对于佛法的领悟也是更上一层楼。
他一路游历,便一路尽自己所能,济世度人,宣扬佛法,讲经论道,这也促使他在这几十年间,成为了世人皆知的佛法大家。
正因为虚云的名气与才气,他很快就得到了当时的统治者慈禧太后的赏识。慈禧太后下旨让他进宫为自己讲授佛法,而虚云的真才实学也让慈禧这个佛教信仰者更加敬佩。
1900年,正值国内外时局动荡之期,慈禧太后为了躲避战乱,于是便带着自己的金银细软逃离北京,即使在这样危急的时刻,慈禧太后还不忘嘱咐身边的人把虚云带上。就这样,虚云陪同着慈禧太后逃离了北京。
正所谓“兴,百姓苦;亡,百姓苦”,一旦战争来临,最受苦的仍旧是底层的老百姓。而在这一次的逃难中,虚云看见了芸芸众生在战乱之中的深重苦难。
虚云陪同慈禧太后逃出北京时,正是那年八月,这个时候可以说是一年之中天气最热的时候。因为战争的原因,北京城外民不聊生,饿殍遍野,就连空气中都弥漫着死亡的气息,不仅如此,因为缺少食物,许多人为了活下去竟开始了“食同类”。
与此同时,天气过于炎热,因为各种各样原因去世的人的遗体没有得到及时处理,在路边、水中开始腐烂,于是乎,大规模的瘟疫又通过空气、水源等各种传播方式,感染着正常的人,如此循环往复,在底层百姓之中行成了恶性循环。
胸怀天下万民的虚云见此情景,不禁心中悲痛,为了让百姓远离这些疾病困扰,他暗下决心,觉得自己应该做些什么。首先,他选择面见光绪皇帝,对皇帝陈述了民间已经出现的“同类相食”的惨况,希望皇帝下旨禁止这类行为的发生。
而后,他选择了以自身功力为天下百姓做一场法事,为百姓向上天祈求一场大雪,减缓遗体的腐烂和瘟疫的蔓延。其实,这场法事虚云大可不必做的,因为不做并不会影响慈禧太后对他的看重,也不会影响他的地位。
但是面对天下苍生,虚云选择了对他来说最吃力不讨好的一条路,那就是作法。稍有不慎,虚云就很有可能失去已经得到的一切名声、地位。
作法一事,有序地进行,虚云与成百上千的僧人一起诵经祈祷,从不曾间断,其诚信可感天地。在虚云作法的第七天,正值八月暑天的北京及其周围地区,下起了鹅毛大雪。
也正是这下场大雪在很大程度上给予了当时的老百姓去处理危机的更多的时间。而当慈禧听说了虚云的事迹之后,更是连忙叫自己身边的婢女带着自己去叩拜虚云大师。
120岁圆寂
毫不夸张地说,虚云大师在当时绝对算得上实力、才气与名声并存的高僧,尽管如此,他仍旧不曾忘记自己作为僧人对于宣扬佛法的责任。
喜欢游历四方的他,每到一处便为当地的爱好佛学的百姓传授佛学知识,他还给无数的弟子传授了自己对于佛法中奥义的理解,为弘扬佛法做出了巨大的贡献。
自虚云大师19岁皈依佛门以来,他已经在研究佛学、传播佛学的道路上走了一百多年,即使在他即将离开的时候,他仍旧在告诫自己的弟子皈依佛门就要摈弃凡尘俗世中的各种念想,一心一意投入到佛学中来。
1959年,120岁的虚云大师,就此圆寂,为他信仰佛学、研究佛学、传播佛学的一辈子画上了圆满的句号。
一直以来宗教在人们的生活中总是带有一种独特的神秘色彩,在这些各种各样的宗教中,佛教则是大多数人们生活中不可缺少的。
不过,随着近代以来宗教在人们的生活中逐渐淡去,宗教大师也显得十分稀少了,而虚云大师就是现代鲜有的佛教代表人物。
19岁就出家的虚云大师,修行佛教一百多年,一生以一颗慈悲心行于世间,获得了清朝统治者以及老百姓的尊重与爱戴。时至今日,他的故事仍旧为人们所传颂。
远离红尘,遁入空门
1840年,虚云大师出生于福建泉州,俗名萧古岩,而他的父亲在当时因为是帮着县太爷做事的人,所以在衣穿住行上倒也是十分富裕的。
做父亲的当然是对自己的儿子寄予了厚望,在那时科举仍旧是大多数人跨越阶级的门路。
于是,在萧古岩很小的时候,他的父亲就已经开始教授他识字看书,为了能让他将来有出息,他的父亲可以说是竭尽全力为他找最好的老师。
好在,萧古岩本身天资聪颖,在这些读书写字的事情上一点就通,倒也让他的父亲非常欣
此时萧古岩的父亲绝对想不到的是,自己的儿子虽然爱看书,却不是像他想象的那样爱看那些考科举要背的书籍,而是喜欢那些佛家经书。
在萧古岩年龄尚小时,他就对于高深的佛法产生了浓厚的兴趣,并且希望自己有一天能够找到机会远离红尘,遁入空门。
不过,萧古岩再多的打算也抵不过那个时代父母的安排。在他17岁的时候,一些机缘巧合之下,他终于有了勇气向自己的父亲坦露自己想要出家的想法,可是他的父亲并不同意,并且他的父亲深信“先成家,后立业”说法,为了将他牢牢地“禁锢”在家里,他的父亲做主给他娶了妻子。
尽管如此,在成家两年后,萧古岩仍旧独自一人跑到了附近的寺庙出家了,取法号为“虚云”。
为了躲避父亲的劝说,他更是躲到了深山老林之中修行,这一去便是四年。四年之后,独自清修的虚云对于佛法的奥义也有了许多自己的参悟。
呼风唤雨,赢得尊重
出家之后,虚云为了更加深刻地理解佛法,便开始了他的游历生活,在这场为期几十年的游历生活中,虚云见识了世间百态,见识了人情冷暖,而他对于佛法的领悟也是更上一层楼。
他一路游历,便一路尽自己所能,济世度人,宣扬佛法,讲经论道,这也促使他在这几十年间,成为了世人皆知的佛法大家。
正因为虚云的名气与才气,他很快就得到了当时的统治者慈禧太后的赏识。慈禧太后下旨让他进宫为自己讲授佛法,而虚云的真才实学也让慈禧这个佛教信仰者更加敬佩。
1900年,正值国内外时局动荡之期,慈禧太后为了躲避战乱,于是便带着自己的金银细软逃离北京,即使在这样危急的时刻,慈禧太后还不忘嘱咐身边的人把虚云带上。就这样,虚云陪同着慈禧太后逃离了北京。
正所谓“兴,百姓苦;亡,百姓苦”,一旦战争来临,最受苦的仍旧是底层的老百姓。而在这一次的逃难中,虚云看见了芸芸众生在战乱之中的深重苦难。
虚云陪同慈禧太后逃出北京时,正是那年八月,这个时候可以说是一年之中天气最热的时候。因为战争的原因,北京城外民不聊生,饿殍遍野,就连空气中都弥漫着死亡的气息,不仅如此,因为缺少食物,许多人为了活下去竟开始了“食同类”。
与此同时,天气过于炎热,因为各种各样原因去世的人的遗体没有得到及时处理,在路边、水中开始腐烂,于是乎,大规模的瘟疫又通过空气、水源等各种传播方式,感染着正常的人,如此循环往复,在底层百姓之中行成了恶性循环。
胸怀天下万民的虚云见此情景,不禁心中悲痛,为了让百姓远离这些疾病困扰,他暗下决心,觉得自己应该做些什么。首先,他选择面见光绪皇帝,对皇帝陈述了民间已经出现的“同类相食”的惨况,希望皇帝下旨禁止这类行为的发生。
而后,他选择了以自身功力为天下百姓做一场法事,为百姓向上天祈求一场大雪,减缓遗体的腐烂和瘟疫的蔓延。其实,这场法事虚云大可不必做的,因为不做并不会影响慈禧太后对他的看重,也不会影响他的地位。
但是面对天下苍生,虚云选择了对他来说最吃力不讨好的一条路,那就是作法。稍有不慎,虚云就很有可能失去已经得到的一切名声、地位。
作法一事,有序地进行,虚云与成百上千的僧人一起诵经祈祷,从不曾间断,其诚信可感天地。在虚云作法的第七天,正值八月暑天的北京及其周围地区,下起了鹅毛大雪。
也正是这下场大雪在很大程度上给予了当时的老百姓去处理危机的更多的时间。而当慈禧听说了虚云的事迹之后,更是连忙叫自己身边的婢女带着自己去叩拜虚云大师。
120岁圆寂
毫不夸张地说,虚云大师在当时绝对算得上实力、才气与名声并存的高僧,尽管如此,他仍旧不曾忘记自己作为僧人对于宣扬佛法的责任。
喜欢游历四方的他,每到一处便为当地的爱好佛学的百姓传授佛学知识,他还给无数的弟子传授了自己对于佛法中奥义的理解,为弘扬佛法做出了巨大的贡献。
自虚云大师19岁皈依佛门以来,他已经在研究佛学、传播佛学的道路上走了一百多年,即使在他即将离开的时候,他仍旧在告诫自己的弟子皈依佛门就要摈弃凡尘俗世中的各种念想,一心一意投入到佛学中来。
1959年,120岁的虚云大师,就此圆寂,为他信仰佛学、研究佛学、传播佛学的一辈子画上了圆满的句号。