The character of a person with both ability and political integrity relies on inner peace and concentration to cultivate the body and mind, and relies on a frugal style to cultivate character. If you don't look down on worldly fame and wealth, you won't be able to clarify your ambitions. If you don't have peace of mind and body, you won't be able to realize your lofty ideals. You must concentrate on learning, and you must study hard to increase your talents. If you don't study hard, you can't increase your intelligence, and if you don't clarify your ambitions, you can't achieve success in learning. The pursuit of excessive pleasure and laziness cannot inspire the spirit, and frivolity and irritability cannot cultivate the temperament. The years pass by, and the will wears away with the years. In the end, it is like a withered branch and a leaf, (becoming a person who does nothing) of no use to society. (At that time,) staying in the small world of one's own home, sighing sadly, What else is it used for?

Zeng Guofan (1811-1872), a native of Heye Township, Shuangfeng County, Hunan (formerly Xiangxiang County), was a famous Zhongxing official in the late Qing Dynasty, posthumously named Wenzheng. Although he was a Confucian scholar, he also had a close relationship with Buddhism. Throughout his life, he did not set up any sect, but he took in all the talents and used them for his own use. This is an important place where he surpasses ordinary people, and it played a decisive role in the successful completion of his personality cultivation. This article collects some historical materials related to Zeng Guofan and Buddhism, and analyzes the relationship between Zeng Guofan and Buddhist thought for reference in the academic and Buddhist circles.

1. Participate in Zen and enlightenment, and blend Confucianism and Buddhism

It can be seen from Zeng Guofan's poems that although Zeng Guofan did not systematically read Buddhist classics, he often communicated with monks. And have a unique understanding of Zen Buddhism. Randomly excerpting the following lines of his poems, you can see that they are very Zen-like.

The two camels sit opposite each other and do not care about each other. Each family has its own silent meditation.

The opening picture shows beautiful mountains and rivers, thousands of clouds and water, a monk is idle,

The clear light shines on my face in this world. The body is not a century-old thing,

The dream soul is fleeting in thousands of mountains. I cherish Emei Lao Zunsu,

Soaring in the world like a phoenix. There are few people who know the two wonderful places,

Who will Caoxi give it to in the future? More to the Zen Jade Edition,

Are the Pigs, Bamboos, and Rats willing to separate?

The wonderful truth of ginseng is that only the divine power can be released and absorbed.

Don’t complain, don’t complain, but fight for peace and quiet; don’t forget and don’t help, even if you look at the ground, you will grow thousands of feet high.

Origin: Loyalty and filial piety are easy to communicate with the gods, and the righteousness and flowers are full of wisdom. Stones will rot and seas will wither. Will there be no one who will be reborn in heaven and become a Buddha?

Zeng Guofan’s understanding of Zen was the result of his efforts in Zen practice. Zen is to enter tranquility and not be distracted by the outside world. Zeng Guofan's diary contains many records of his burning incense and meditation and his thoughts. On October 27, the 22nd year of Daoguang's reign, it was recorded: "The Kung Fu of the word Jing is important. Master Dacheng was a saint three generations later, and he was also good at the Kung Fu of the word Jing. Wang Wencheng is also good at the word Jing. Kung Fu, so he is not distracted. If he is not calm, he is not careful, and his understanding is not clear, he must be still." In order to become quiet, he quit smoking, chess, talking, and chatting. Disrespect, etc., "Three things a day, be careful!" Constrain yourself in all aspects and constantly improve your concentration. He made meditation a daily compulsory task and placed it at the top of his priority list. On the 8th of December of the 22nd year of Daoguang's reign, the "Sitting in Meditation" section of the course was written: "No matter what time of day, sit quietly for half an hour to experience the benevolence of coming back. Standing in the right position and concentrating your life, like the town of a tripod." He realized that to truly To enter tranquility, one must abandon all selfish and distracting thoughts. "However, if the mind is selfish and has no attachment, it will be quiet and restrained." (November 19, the 22nd year of Daoguang's reign) He kept reflecting on himself, "I have been so bored now. You are surrounded by selfish desires, so how can you extricate yourself? Determine to make a new start today and fight with pain and blood." (February 26, 23rd year of Daoguang reign)

Zeng Guofan believed that Confucianism was the best. The two Buddhist families can communicate with each other. He said in "Ji's Preface to Jiayan": "The function of the pagoda in warning the world is the same as that of my Confucianism, and it is not belittled but simply dismissed." He said that Ji's "Yuewei Thatched Cottage Notes" recorded ghosts and monsters to explain cause and effect. "The main purpose is to encourage good and punish evil." Therefore, Shi's theory is beneficial to the world. He believed in karma throughout his life. In his family letter, he said: "Any so-called karma may not be fully realized (that is, it cannot be seen immediately). If you are a filial friend, you will immediately get good luck, but if you do not, you will immediately get disaster. Tester.

" (He will go to Tianjin on the 4th day of June in the 9th year of Tongzhi to express his gratitude to his second son.) Because Zeng Guofan believed that Buddhism is beneficial to purifying people's minds, he encouraged Buddhist books to be read. Zeng Guofan often helped seal seals and made friends. His family letter said: "The Sutra of Awakening the World by Emperor Guan was printed five hundred times. Zhang, you have to take the bus back to the south, so you can pay it back. "Yin Zhi Wen" and "Induction Chapter" also need the bus to go back to the south, so you can take it with you. Zeng Guofan himself often copied Buddhist scriptures. For example, in his diary on the 8th day of the 23rd year of Daoguang's reign: "Write a copy of the Heart Sutra." "On the 10th day of the lunar month, another volume of the Heart Sutra was recorded.

Zeng Guofan often interacted with monks. For example, when he was in Beijing, he often went in and out of temples. Daoguang's diary on the 8th day of December in the 21st year: "Recruiting Guo Yusan, Chen Daiyun, Cangshaoping went to Fayuan Temple to eat Laba porridge." A diary entry on November 12, 23rd year of Daoguang's reign: "Went to the Great Buddha Temple to see the Great Avalokitesvara, and also saw the Northern Qi and Song Dynasty stele. "

Zeng Guofan also believed that sincerity can inspire gods. When his son fell ill in Beijing, Mrs. Ouyang made a wish to decorate Guanyin's whole body. After that, his condition improved rapidly. Zeng Guofan immediately wrote a letter to his grandfather at home: "When my grandson was sick with A3, my grandson The woman once knelt down to decorate the whole body of Guanyin Bodhisattva in her home, praying that her family's wishes would be fulfilled this year. It is also said that there is a statue of Longevity Buddha in Xichong, and my grandmother once made a wish to decorate it. She also made the promise for Jia San, and hoped that her wish would be fulfilled this year. " (Submitted to his grandfather on June 29, 21st year of Daoguang)

Originally, the super-recommendation of Buddhist services was not the main content of Buddhism. As for the later secularization, it was even more isolated from Buddhism. However, out of filial piety to his ancestors, Zeng Guofan paid great attention to Buddhist services. He also treated her with sincerity. He wrote a letter asking his brothers to perform Buddhist services for his tenth uncle, saying: "Even though my tenth uncle has passed away, I should still show sympathy for his wife and follow the secular life to extend her life to the so-called Taoist temple to comfort the deceased. I can't bear the death of my uncle, my brother, my brother, I think it's okay! " (To his brother on March 20, 24th year of Daoguang) He believed that doing Buddhist deeds was auspicious. The letter to his family said: "Since my grandfather's Buddhist meeting was held in early October, my parents and uncle are now auspicious. I am afraid that I haven't given up my clothes yet, so there was no banquet for my father's birthday yesterday. There were only two female guests inside. At eleven, I was forty and promoted to one, so there were no female guests. " (To my brothers on October 12, the first year of Xianfeng)

Zeng Guofan later changed his name to Zeng Disheng, which was also inspired by Yuan Liaofan, a great layman of the Ming Dynasty. The diary said: "Those who are purified, take away the old ones. The contamination of contamination; living, take the meaning of Yuan Liaofan: "All the things in the past are like dying yesterday; all the things in the future are like living today." '" (April 22, 20th year of Daoguang)

However, Zeng Guofan's grandfather Zeng Xinggang did not believe in three things, namely, he did not believe in immortals, he did not believe in monks, and he did not believe in medicine. Zeng Guofan also wrote many times to ask his descendants to respect their ancestors. This is to distinguish the righteous teachings of saints from the evil teachings of the world, because there are too many false monks in later generations, which has deceived many people and greatly distorted the original image of Buddhism.

2. Use thunderbolt methods. , showing the bodhisattva's heart

Buddhism advocates the spirit of non-violence and puts abstention from killing as the most important thing. Zeng Guofan has a deep understanding of Buddhism's purpose of abstaining from killing and stopping violence. He has a kind heart and cannot bear to kill. Not only does he not tolerate killing. Killing, even watching the killing is regarded as losing benevolence. Diary: "It was rumored that a certain military official was planning to be executed, and I was invited to go to the West Market to watch. I was happy to do so, but I lost my benevolence. At this time, I regretted it. Quickly reverse, linger for a long time, and finally return. After all this absurdity, how can I still be human! " (December 16, the 21st year of Daoguang) He had a light diet and liked vegetarian food. "A bowl of white rice for breakfast without vegetables" ("Zeng Zhaomian Chronicle"). He wrote in a letter home: "I don't use meat for dinner these days." , "Hoshioka Gonghao picks fresh vegetables at sunrise for the night meal. I was serving the food at that time, and I really enjoyed it. "The younger generation does not eat meat at night, and only eats vegetables instead of broth. This is also suitable for maintaining health and advocating thrift." " (Edicted to Ji Hong on May 19, 4th year of Tongzhi) He also followed Mrs. Ouyang's wishes and passed down the four-day Guanyin Zhai every year as a family rule to his descendants.

Zeng Baosun recalled in "My Family History": "Our family eats vegetarian food for four days every year, namely Guanyin fasting on February 19th, June 19th, September 19th and Zhutian fasting day on December 24th. During these days, the whole family eats fasting. I heard that it was Wenzheng (Zeng Guofan) My grandmother has honored the wishes made by the madam.

"("The Complete History of the Taiping Rebellion"·Xiang Qilou Diary·February 27, Guangxu 4th Year) In addition, Zeng Guofan suffered defeats in Jinggang and Jiujiang, committed suicide twice, and was so angry that he did not want to live, all of which were manifestations of his benevolence. Zeng Guofan said:

"Being troubled and worried is training. Hero, Yu Ru Yucheng. Li Shenfu once said: "I am angry and never express my anger. I just endure it and try to improve myself. Because of the proverb: A good man knocks out his teeth and swallows blood." ’ These two words are the secret to gritting one’s teeth and making determination for the rest of my life. During Yu Geng's garrison of 1911, he was reviled by the dignitaries of the capital. Guichou Jiayin was reviled by Changsha. Yi Mao and Bing Chen were reviled by Jiangxi, as well as the defeat of Yuezhou, the defeat of Jinggang, and the defeat of Hukou. There were many times when they were beaten and knocked out of their teeth! Not once did he swallow it with blood. " (To Brother Yuan on December 18, 5th year of Tongzhi)

This spirit was also reflected when dealing with the Tianjin religious case. He did not try to show his painstaking efforts, but constantly blamed himself and brought trouble to others. Letters from friends all read, "On the outside, I am gradually becoming more righteous, but I am guilty of the gods." "In fact, before Zeng Guofan went to handle the case, he had already made a will and made military arrangements. However, when he was handling the case, he found that there was a reason for the matter. After comprehensively weighing the pros and cons, he did not do what seemed to be a heroic act, so there were some People took the opportunity to scold him, but because he had no selfish motives and only thought about the overall situation, he still gained people's respect. When he returned as governor of Liangjiang, "people in the south of the Yangtze River burned incense to welcome him. "("Biography of Zeng Guofan" in "Manuscripts of Qing History") It is not that some people say that Zeng Guofan died in pain because of guilt. On the contrary, Zeng Guofan knew the time was coming when he was about to die. After visiting the West Garden, he "sit upright and died" and "passed away with a smile". The precious light candles the sky, and the light rain clears the dust." "Xian thought that a fire broke out at the west gate of the water." "The rescuers could not see anywhere else. They all saw the big star falling in Jinling City, the scholars and the people crying in the alleys, and the wild sacrifices were like mourning the death of a loving mother. On hearing of the incident, I mourned my resignation from the court for three days" (Wang Ding'an's "The Major Events of Zeng Wenzhenggong", Xue Fucheng's "Notes of Yong'an"). Zeng Guofan walked hard throughout his life, worked hard and achieved solitary achievements, and finally returned to his roots.

The great source is the final destination of life. In his early years, Mao Zedong once praised Zeng Guofan as the man who found the great source. Today, if we all return to the great source like Zeng Guofan and make selfless contributions, then a peaceful, peaceful world will be achieved. The peaceful and warm pure land of the world will appear before us. Master Taixu, a modern eminent monk, said: "Looking up to the Buddha, he is the only one who can achieve perfection in the human world. The realization of a person is the realization of the Buddha. This is called true reality. "Only by being based on reality and not breaking away from reality can we become benevolent and become a Buddha and return to the great source. Based on reality, we must purify the human heart, preserve the principles of heaven, get rid of human desires, be selfless and selfless, and follow the pure mind to achieve the purity of the Buddha Land. Aspiring colleagues Everyone, move forward bravely! Only by doing the worldly business with a transcendent spirit, becoming sages without departing from reality, and practicing Buddhism without departing from reality, can we truly realize the meaning of life and let life radiate bright brilliance!