Elder Ji Hui: When I was very young, I lived in a nun's house. Because I was poor and didn't have a house to live in, I learned some singing rituals from my master. Later, a teacher's father saw me and asked me if I would like to become a monk. I said yes, so I followed Master to the Mount Everest Temple in Jiangning Lake and became a monk. After becoming a monk, I read four books and five classics in the temple. Although the rules in the temple are very strict, I can still study very hard. My master, Mr bacon, is very kind. Whenever he sees this, he always lets me have a good rest.
In this way, when I was 16 years old, I went to saionji, Suzhou, alone to ask for precepts. When I entered the temple, the master asked who sent me. I said I came alone, out of my own mind. The preacher said, if you come to take the precept and don't listen to the master's admonition, you should beat the willow. I changed my mind and said that Master told me to come, and the missionary said that you didn't come until Master told you to come. It seems that you don't want to be ordained, so it is another whip. During the whole period of abstinence, I was often beaten with wicker like this by Master. His main purpose is to beat your field and knock it down, otherwise you won't learn the rules in the temple.
Our reporter: As one of the rare wizards of the older generation in Nanjing Buddhism, please tell us about your study and the reasons for studying in Shanghai Fazang Temple.
Elder: My basic knowledge of Chinese studies was taught by two tutors (Mr. Dai and Mr. Xiong) when I was studying in Nanjing Temple. As for Buddhism, in order to learn more rules, I went to Changzhou and was admitted to Tianning Temple Buddhist College to study Buddhism systematically. This reading is three years.
I remember that there were more than 200 applicants at that time, and only 9 people were admitted, including me. Speaking of this, I remember an episode when I first entered the entrance examination: at that time, Master mispronounced my name, and I heard Master call "Gu Hui", "Gu Hui" and "Gu Hui" three times, and no one was named Gu Hui. Finally, I stood up and said, "There is no Gu Hui here, only Ji Hui. The horizontal line under the word "Ji" is shortened, so he takes it as the word "Gu". If you can't shout it out, you'll forget it. I still remember the title of the exam at that time, which was to write a letter to the big monk in Tianning Temple. I didn't understand, so I wrote casually. The title of my letter is "I have enrolled in Tianning-be a good abbot." "
At that time, one of my teachers was Xianyue and the other was Zhi Min (he was a university student in Tianning Temple, and later went to the United States and lived in a temple called Kannonji in the United States. I was alone in the temple, and I read Buddha when I had nothing to do. Now I'm dead.
At that time, the management of Tianning Temple Buddhist College was very strict, so many talents were trained. At present, many great monks at home and abroad belong to Tianning Temple. If you are strict, you won't make mistakes. If you make a mistake, you will be slapped, and when you come back, the teacher will hit you. I was punished outside. Call again when I come back.
This was before the founding of New China. Later, the Buddhist College of Tianning Temple was reorganized and did not listen to the scheduling in the temple. When liberated, it is dissolved.
After studying in Tianning Temple, I went to Saiweng Temple in Suzhou to study. Because I have no money to use, I sometimes take part in the scriptures and buy books with two dollars.
Besides, I have been to Fazang Temple in Shanghai. The best singer is Fazang Temple. At that time, the old monk Hui Kai was a retired monk in Fazang Temple. The rules are very strict, and his pronunciation is a bit unpleasant. He immediately made a hullabaloo about and began to fight. I have been a calligrapher in Fazang Temple for three years, and I have to write sixteen big boards in an amphibious dharma meeting. Copy it. If you don't understand, you can ask in the guest room You can't write wrong on the writing board, nor can you write wrong the name of the deceased, such as Zukao, Xiankao and Postgraduate Entrance Examination. There is a mistake. The guest room is looking for you.
Our reporter: Please recall your teaching in Qixiashan Buddhist College and your closeness to the old Master Mingshan. In addition, what do you think is the key to establishing a Buddhist college?
Old Ji Hui: I am not qualified to teach myself. I am a teacher of Na Wei in Qixia Mountain Buddhist College (raising my voice when going to the temple) and teaching calligraphy. Qixiashan Buddhist College is the dean of Master Mingshan, and he is also the abbot of Qixiashan Temple.
Lao Ming is very compassionate and great. Sometimes I hit a student hard, and he said to me, "You can't do this. I am very strict with my students. I told them to walk neatly. When crossing the threshold, behave yourself. If you can't cross the threshold, you will be playing incense boards soon, and sometimes you will ask them to kneel down and burn incense.
There was a student named Wendy. He was very naughty and ran away without going to class. I found him, made him kneel there and asked him, "Where have you been? And I don't take time off. " Hit him. Later, he became the abbot of the temple, and I was invited to do Buddhist work in the temple. I said you were okay, you didn't hate me, and you wouldn't succeed if I didn't hit you. At that time, there were more than 200 monks in the temple, who later graduated 184. Living, sitting and lying should pay attention to dignity, and the dignity of monks is the most important. Monks have to line up when they walk, and the people behind watch the people in front line up and can't just step on them.
At that time, Master Wendi was an old student of Ming Dynasty. If he doesn't attend class, I'll go to his dormitory and call him to the main hall. Wendy ignored me, so I called him again and sent two masters to pull him over. If he doesn't kneel, I'll kick his leg and make him kneel down and confess. A knelt down and went to tell the truth. Lao Ming said, "Ji Hui, you can't treat students like this. I said, "I know he is your apprentice, and this Buddhist academy is yours. You are the dean and I am the teacher. It is your reputation to teach well in Buddhist colleges, and people will say that abbots and monks are good. 」
Ming Lao's handwriting is also very good. I discussed calligraphy with him and learned a lot.
In a word, it is impossible to start a Buddhist college without a strict master. We should teach them to behave. If you don't obey the rules, you won't teach people when you go out to school. The Buddhist College has trained you, and after you go out, you should also train others to pass it on from generation to generation.
Reporter: Master, you used to be Na Wei. We know that Na Wei should not only sing well, but also play musical instruments well, and have the ability of organization and coordination. In your opinion, how can we become a good teacher in Na Wei?
Old Ji Hui: To be a good Na Wei teacher, first of all, you should be able to play an instrument, just as it is logical. Master Na Wei's singing in the main hall has certain rigidity. You should knock at the door where you read, but you shouldn't knock at the door where you read. It has stiff eyes.
Second, when Master Weiner asks for a better throat, he should also learn to breathe. Our present temple fair singing method is very different from the traditional singing method. Nowadays, young people are free to sing, but traditional singing methods can't. At that time, we were disciplined and couldn't delay, or the monk was on duty immediately and shouted, "What's the matter?" Go up and slap it. Very strict. Not now. This song is very popular now. Now the jungle can sing the old tune, not one left.
Third, be tired. On holidays, Master Weiner will also lead everyone to make a meeting. Master Na Wei will be very tired when practicing. Sometimes someone gave me a paper bag of longan, saying that it was provided by the abbot and monk, and I didn't know that I would practice in the hall the next day. I just want you to be full and neutral, so that you can behave well tomorrow.
To sum up, only when Master Weiner has a good head and sings correctly can the following people learn correctly. I'm old now and I'm out of gas. I used to record tapes of my singing. Later, these tapes were kept by a master of Guangjiao Temple in Nantong. I can't find this person now.
When we hear beautiful songs, our hearts will be captured; If you don't sing well, you will be confused. This is the main function of singing.
Reporter: I heard that you have met such eminent monks and great virtues as Master Yin Guang and Master Xian Di. Please recall your impression of them.
Old Ji Hui: Master Yin Guang is wonderful. He has been enlightened. I have met Master Yin Guang. He looks just like the image in the photo. At that time, Master Yin Guang was in Lingyan Mountain, which was almost 1937.
When I became a monk in Tianning Temple in Changzhou, I also met an old monk, who only went there once.
Our reporter: When Qixia Mountain preached the precepts in the 1980s, you were the Master of Opening Light. What do you think are the requirements for becoming an opening master?
Elder Ji Hui: A master should have a good voice and be full of gas. To be a good starter, you should also know the rules. If you don't know the rules, you can't be an opening master. How to get to the main hall, how to cross the threshold, how to live, how to sit and how to lie down, there must be rules.
Our reporter: You have profound attainments in Buddhism, calligraphy and singing. Please tell us the relationship between them.
Elder Ji Hui: Buddhism is to persuade others to be kind and be kind to others; Calligraphy is to cultivate sentiment, and my calligraphy is only for people with destiny; Singing is to make people happy.
In calligraphy, I prefer lawyer Hongyi's handwriting. Lawyer Hongyi is great. He not only kept strict precepts, but also created good calligraphy and painting. I also copied the 100,000-word "Biography" and wrote it in small letters for six and a half months. Now it is collected by Beijing. Singing should sound mellow. Not now. I can't sing. In the Buddhist world, there are several kinds of voices that can't be sung well-off-key, yellow voice, chicken voice and choking voice. None of these sounds are decent.
Our reporter: Please tell us about your personal study. How should Buddhists complete their lives?
Elder Ji Hui: As a Buddhist, regardless of age, we should adhere to the principle of loving our country and teaching. Without * * *, there would be no new China.
I am the honorary abbot of Xuanzang Temple, and now I am old. In addition to offering sacrifices and burning incense in the Hall of the Great Hero on the first and fifteenth day of the first month, I just take care of myself without any bad thoughts. The sea of misery is boundless, and turning back is the shore. Look back when you do something wrong, repent and know where it is wrong.
For the elderly who can't read or recite scriptures, just read Amitabha, which is the ultimate destination of our Buddhists.
Our reporter: "Tolerance, kindness, indifference and optimism" is your motto. Please tell us the meaning of these words.
Ji Hui Sr: Tolerance and kindness mean tolerance, not selfishness and kindness to others. Indifferent to optimism, we should look down on the fame and fortune of society. If we are indifferent, we will naturally be optimistic.
Our reporter: There is a saying: I would rather sleep in the jungle than watch the runway. How to understand this sentence?
Old Ji Hui: As a monk, you must live in the jungle. You can't live in the jungle without knowing the rules.
Then, to manage the jungle well, we need an abbot who can set an example first. If the abbot is not straight, how can he ask others? Secondly, monks should follow the abbot. Abbot, abbot, square width. The abbot's room can't be big, only one bed can be put. Lao Ming's room is like this.
Reporter: Please show us the rules of studying at home.
Elder Ji Hui: When studying Buddhism, you should read more Buddhist scriptures and receive more education. Things in society are a bit pessimistic. "Everything has its own way, like a dream, like dew, like electricity, so look at it this way." We should look at the problem from this angle. Don't cling to social fame and fortune. Read the Bible well, sleep well, and do everything in line with others.
All beings are equal, and there is no hierarchy. Don't curry favor with the big monk, ignore the little monk when you see him. This is not equal. All beings are equal. When Buddha Sakyamuni realized the Tao, he said, "Strange, strange! All living beings on the earth have the wisdom and virtue of Tathagata. All beings have Buddha nature. You can't bully him or underestimate him. All beings in the world have Buddha nature, depending on whether they are conscious or not.
Learn not to eat if you don't digest it, don't swallow it like a jujube, understand and think more. If you swallow dates, you still don't know anything. If you don't understand, look it up in a Buddhist dictionary.
To learn Buddhism, we should not only learn, but also learn to do and apply what we have learned. People can learn now, but they can't. For example, stepping on an ant is not enough for all beings. Buddhism should flourish or learn precepts. It is not easy to learn from the precepts.
Introduction to Elder Ji Hui
Ji Hui Sr was born in 19 16, and his ancestral home was in Nanjing. At the age of eight, he became a monk in Everest Temple. /kloc-when he was 0/6 years old, he was ordained in Hokkeji, Zhuang Jie, Suzhou, and studied law with Liu Jing, a great monk. The following year, I went to Tianning Temple in Changzhou to study in Tang Jie, where I studied Buddhism and calligraphy with masters such as Jiede, Xianyue, Muru and Zhi Min. Three years later, he returned to Nanjing, studied in Gu Lin Temple, and had a close relationship with Master Weizhou during Cheng Wei's administration.
At the age of 22, he went to Fazang Temple in Shanghai to get close to Master Xing Ci, and lived in Fazang Temple for a long time as a calligraphy secretary and vice temple. I lived for four years, during which I devoted myself to studying calligraphy and communicating with many famous artists. After listening to the teacher's instructions, he returned to Everest Temple to manage the temple affairs. I have studied Buddhism and calligraphy for decades. Until 198 1 year, he went to Nanjing Linggu Temple and was appointed as Na Wei. The following year, China Buddhist College held a Sangha training class in qixia temple, Nanjing, and was appointed as Na Wei and warden on invitation.
199 1 year/month, at the invitation of Kannonji, new york, USA, he was appointed by the Buddhist Association of Jiangsu Province to give lectures in the United States. At that time, he was praised as "the first person of Jiangsu Buddhist Association to engage in Buddhist activities overseas". He returned to China the following year and stayed in qixia temple to continue studying Buddhism and calligraphy. Invited by overseas Buddhist circles for many times, I went abroad to give lectures and exchanged Buddhism and calligraphy with my classmates Elder Songnian and Elder Longgen. Old Ji Hui pursued the motto of "tolerance, kindness, indifference and optimism" all his life. Although he is nearly a hundred years old, he still doesn't forget to study. In April 2006, he was elected honorary abbot of Xuanzang Temple.