The Northern Stories of Chef Lao Tan

Chapter 49

After Lao Tan entered the private room, he first greeted several department directors, and then came to Dade, and Director Wu introduced them.

The Dade is over sixty years old, with a red face, a straight nose, piercing eyes, a thin body, and a slightly loose red monk's robe.A pair of khaki monk shoes, without leggings.

It seems that he is really practicing on foot, his body is covered with dust, his face is reddish with black, his lips are cracked, and his monk's clothes are not very clean, it looks like it has not been washed for a while.His hands are rough, resembling hands that have been doing farm work for a long time.There are Buddhist beads hanging on his chest, and he has not shaved his head for a long time, and there are stubble on his head.

Looks like an ascetic monk.

With the presence of the Great Virtue on the wine table, everyone didn't eat and drink like usual, shouting loudly, they were very well-behaved, and their voices among each other were much quieter than usual.

People are in awe of gods and Buddhas.

Although the great virtue is not a Buddha, he is the spokesperson of the Buddha.

In ancient times, those who translated Buddhist scriptures were called Dharma, and those who led monks were also called it.Later, Dade became the title of the eminent monks of Chinese Buddhism, and then the eminent monks of Tibetan Buddhism were also called Dade.

Great virtue, a person with great wisdom and great virtue can only be obtained with great practice and enlightenment.

During the meeting, a director carefully asked Dade: "Master, how is my fortune? Can I get rich?"

The great virtue smiled, but did not answer right away. He took a sip of tea first, and seeing everyone was looking at him, he said in a clear voice: "Wealth is luck, and the Buddha doesn't talk about money. Everything is cause and effect. There are many people who ask about money. There are very few rich people, so what is important is not important."

Everyone was silent for a while, and they couldn't understand the words that resembled Jieyu for a while, but they seemed to understand a little bit.

Seeing that everyone was silent, the Dharma was puzzled, so he couldn't help laughing, and said to the person who asked him: "It's not that you asked me about my fortune, many people asked me about my fortune, and regarded me as a monk as a fortune-teller. I am a lama. I don’t even think about money, I really don’t know what wealth is.”

"Let's just tell a joke. Seeing that we monks don't touch money, it is estimated that there is no unit richer than our Buddhist school. Do you know why?" Dade asked with a smile.

Director Wu said: "Many people burn incense and worship Buddha, and there is plenty of money for incense."

Others thought the same as him, and Lao Tan thought so too, but when he thought it was so simple, the Dade would not ask such a question, there must be another mystery.

"There is not much money for incense, the main reason is that our team building is good." Dade said slowly: "You all pay attention to the team now, and we have to pay attention to the team, otherwise we will not keep up with the times. Among other things, there is no one The team culture can be compared with our Sakyamuni, let’s take a look, we have the same dress, the same hairstyle, and the same slogan for a thousand years. Others can’t do it for a hundred years, we are a thousand-year-old brand, who dares to compare?”

Everyone couldn't help being amused by Dade's humor.

"We not only have a good team culture, but also real estate. I started practicing at 12 years old, and started traveling at 16 years old. I dare not say that I have traveled all over the country, but I have visited every Buddhist temple. Zhejiang Guanyin Bodhisattva's ashram Putuo Mountain, Shanxi Wenshu Bodhisattva's ashram Mount Wutai, Sichuan Puxian Bodhisattva's ashram Mount Emei, Anhui Anhui Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's ashram Mount Jiuhua, these are the four famous mountains of Buddhism, can any one be sold for a hundred million?"

The crowd shook their heads.

"One hundred million? One billion will not be sold." Someone said.

"Yes, we have money. Not only do the real estate business do well, but also have a high ability to resist risks. The more financial crisis we have, the more money we make, and the better we wait for you, the better we will be. Food, clothing, housing and transportation often cost nothing, right? ?” Dade asked with a smile.

Everyone didn't expect the master to have such a theory, and they all nodded in agreement.

"If you don't want money, you will naturally have time to practice and devote yourself to Buddha. Isn't it the purpose of practicing Buddhism? After practicing, money will come from you. You are doctors, and doctors are benevolent. Practicing medicine to save people is also practice, and curing diseases for ordinary people Now, the money will come by itself, the same reason.”

Although the words of Dade are not enlightening, they are also thought-provoking.

"Buddhism stresses that there is no self, no one, no life, and all living beings. All practice is to make the world get rid of suffering and get happiness. Whether it is enlightenment, epiphany, or enlightenment, the Bodhisattva heart is the Bodhisattva's business. There is no Bodhisattva. The appearance is for Bodhisattvas. It is exactly the same as your practice of medicine. Heals for money, but the money is free from disease and disaster; heals for disease, and the disease is cured at hand, but fame and fortune come naturally. Why bother with external things, just keep a normal mind. "

When Dade's words fell, everyone felt something.

After a moment of silence, at Director Wu's suggestion, they stood up and toasted together. Dade was not conventional, and had a drink with everyone with tea instead of wine.

A director sitting across from Lao Tan was infected by the great virtue and asked, "Master, do you accept disciples? I will learn Buddhism from you."

Dade smiled and said, "You've got a picture."

"Picture? What do you mean?" The director was taken aback.

Dade smiled and said nothing.

Director Wu smiled and said, "I don't even know how to learn Buddhism, even if I don't know how to look? I'll take care of your illness."

The crowd laughed.

The great virtue's words made several people have the heart to learn Buddhism, but that person was eager to say it first.

Lao Tan doesn't want to study Buddhism, but he is interested in Buddhism. He has read some books on Buddhism before and understands it somewhat.

Director Wu asked Dade: "Master, your Buddhist school pays attention to fate, do you see if I have fate with you?"

Dade looked at Director Wu and said, "You also have some appearances. Everyone in the world has a predestined relationship with Buddha. Do you know what Buddha is?"

Director Wu said: "I don't know, a person with great practice like you is a Buddha."

Dade smiled and looked at the crowd.The expression is not deep, but there is encouragement in the plain, which means who knows what to say.

Old Tan said: "Everyone in the world has three parts of Buddha-nature. People who speak to people are Buddhas, and Buddhas are people. What is a Buddha? The enlightened one is the enlightened one. Obsessed with the Buddha. The master should be practicing Tantric Buddhism, which is based on hard work and enlightenment. In fact, the great harmony of Buddhism and Dharma all guide people to be good, so that people can get rid of suffering and find happiness. It seems that the practice of suffering is pure, but in fact, it has been awakened."

Dade's eyes lit up, he was surprised by Lao Tan's understanding of Buddha, and asked again: "How does Master Tan understand cultivation?"

"Actually, the practice is the same, but it's just going out of the world and entering the world. There is no essential difference in merit. It is merit to see through the world, practice out of the world, and guide all beings with great wisdom. It is also merit and virtue, and it is also a practice of Buddhahood. How to cultivate is all in the heart, and a person's life is a practice." Lao Tan said.

Dharma's face was filled with excitement, he did not expect a cook to say such words, and some monks who have practiced for many years did not have such a deep understanding. He smiled and said: "It seems that Master Tan has a predestined relationship with Buddha."

Old Tan smiled and said: "Doesn't Buddhism pay attention to fate? It has its own origin and its fate. There are 22 kinds of fate. If we talk about cause and effect, we are really destined. Am I still obsessed with the Buddha?" .”

Everyone laughed.

After laughing, the great virtue asked: "Does Master Tan study Buddhism?"

"I don't do much research, but I have read a book introducing Buddhism. Buddhism is the most important religion in China. I have been reading it since I was a child. When I was sensible, I knew what it means to burn incense and worship Buddha. Even if I don't study it, I can listen to it. I have a good understanding of Confucianism. I like both Buddhism and Taoism, all of them are Chinese studies, and there is nothing wrong with learning more, and the things left by the ancestors are all good things." Lao Tan said.

"Master Tan has good comprehension, and if he cultivates Buddhism, he will be very powerful." Dade said.

"Master, I have a picture. I am also practicing Buddhism, but I am just entering the world."

The great virtue smiled, "It looks good." Then he said: "I practice in the Guanyin Temple in Hohhot. Master Tan will definitely look for me when he comes to Hohhot. Let's have a good chat."

"Okay, I will definitely go if I have the chance."

At this time, Director Wu smiled and said, "It seems that you two are Buddhists."

Lao Tan chatted with Dade about Buddhism. He didn't know anything about the scriptures, but his understanding of Buddhism was not bad, so they could chat together.

We Chinese can chatter a few words about Buddhism, but there are different shades, or there are more superstitions.In fact, Buddhism is a science, not mysterious, but it is believed by the world, and then there are people who are blindly possessed by demons, and then there are superstitions.

After eating and drinking, Dade gave Lao Tan a string of Buddhist beads before he left, which made everyone envious, especially Director Wu. He knew that Dean Hu asked Dade for the string of Buddhist beads several times but did not give it back. In this way, I gave it to Lao Tan who had just met.

It is really a predestined person for Buddha crossing.

After all the guests left the store, Lao Tan checked the shutdown of the kitchen coal, water and electricity, and then went back to the dormitory.

Wang Hong was changing the sheets for him. Seeing that he didn't look like he was drunk every day, she was surprised and said, "I'm so promising today, I didn't drink too much."

Old Tan said: "Today I discussed the Tao with a great virtue. He doesn't drink, and others don't drink too much."

"Great virtue? What kind of virtue?" Wang Hong asked.

"It's the lama, the monk."

"Oh, you can still chat with monks? Monks don't drink alcohol, kill animals, eat meat, or have sex with women, can you? You are full of five poisons." Wang Hong laughed after finishing speaking.

"I am a monk of wine and meat, practicing in the world. By the way, the great virtue gave me a string of Buddhist beads." Old Tan handed the Buddhist beads to Wang Hong.

Wang Hong took it, looked at it, handed it to Lao Tan, and said: "You are destined to be with someone, keep it well, don't lose it, don't give it to others generously, it's a good thing, and most people can't fix it, it's a good thing .”

"It's just beads. You want to give them to you. I don't have the habit of bringing them."

"What are you doing for me? Put it away if you don't take it with you. Don't give it to others casually. Listen."

"Well. The sheets have just been washed for a few days, and you don't feel too tired."

"It's been a week, and I happen to wash the sheets too. Don't smoke in bed, it's full of ashes. If you don't pinch the cigarette butts when you fall asleep, it will burn you." Wang Hong pointed to the changed sheets and said, There are marks formed by the falling soot on it.

Old Tan hummed and agreed.

Wang Hong asked: "Two days ago, it was said that your daughter-in-law bought a house at home, did she buy it?"

"Not yet, I said I saw another one in the past two days, and if you want to buy it, you can call me." Old Tan said.

"Your wife is so good, she can buy a house by herself."

"It's amazing, the leader of my family."

Wang Hong smiled and went back with the sheet.

(End of this chapter)