Visiting an old Taoist priest who lives in seclusion in the mountains (Xiao Ming Feng Lei)
Xiao Ming Feng Lei
Recently, I took the opportunity to learn during a business trip and took some time to visit an old Taoist priest who lives in seclusion in the mountains, the same old Taoist priest I met last year.
I bought some things in advance as gifts.
In the morning, I climbed the mountain. The clouds and mist were so thick that I couldn't see clearly beyond a few meters. After walking for more than an hour, I finally arrived at this place that is rarely visited by people.
The Taoist priest was talking to a villager and was very happy to see me.
We had lunch there and I asked him some questions. The following is based on my memory.
Q: I often see people arguing about whether there are ghosts and gods. Do you think there are ghosts and gods? Many gods in Taoism have no historical records. Are they real gods or just made up by people?
A: My experience is that people and gods coexist. As for the origin of gods, I can't say for sure.
Author: I am reminded of Ji Xiaolan's “Yue Wei Cao Tang Notes”, which says that Ji Xiaolan knew a judge (a Zhengyi Daoist) from Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi Province who was very effective at invoking gods and dispatching generals by worshipping and submitting petitions. Ji Xiaolan asked him about the secret, and he said, “I only know to follow the rules and do as they say, but I only know how, not why.”
Q: Many people on the internet think that no one can cultivate the yangshen today, and the old Taoist master you mentioned who cultivated the yangshen, I don't think he looks like a great cultivator at all, he seems to have some kind of dementia. What's going on?
Answer: It is of course impossible for everyone to cultivate Yang Shen. It also doesn't make sense to say that no one can cultivate Yang Shen. The old Taoist master who cultivated Yang Shen had reached a state of no color, no form, no sound, and no odor (I can't remember the exact words, but it was something like that). It is not something that ordinary people can guess. Moreover, after he left the world, it was different from being in the world. Wang Chongyang and Qiu Chuji had to be like ordinary people if they were to promote Taoism. The old Taoist master who had cultivated Yangshen did not seek recognition. Of course, it would not work if everyone was like him. If everyone did that, no one would promote Taoism.
Author: I remember that the Four Great Mountain People once talked about his experience of seeking masters and visiting Taoist temples on the Lao Daohai forum. He heard that Wang Liuxianren, a Daoist immortal in a certain place in Sichuan, was about to transform into a Daoist immortal, so he hurriedly went to visit. When he found the place, he was greatly disappointed. He didn't find any Wangliu Immortal, but only saw an old Qian Dao lying on the ground listlessly, and an old Kun Dao not paying much attention to him. Not long after he returned, he heard that the two old Dao had transformed, one surnamed Wang and the other surnamed Liu, which was the so-called Wangliu Immortal. Fortunately, he had a recorder with him at the time, and recorded the conversation with the old Dao. After repeatedly savoring the words of the old Dao, it turned out that they were indeed full of mystery.
Q: Taoism is a religion native to China, but it is now in a state of decline and is far from comparable to the other major religions. What are the reasons for this?
A: Taoism does not have many pillars, and some of the leading figures lack the desire to promote Taoism and help the world. I am old now, and I have not contributed much to the revitalization of Taoism. I wish I could, but I cannot!
Q: I read online that some people in Taoism and people who are good at Taoism are working hard to revitalize Taoism. Among them are a few young Taoist priests with extraordinary origins, very high cultivation, and the demeanor of a master of the next generation.
A: I am very happy that Taoism has successors. I am also very happy that you were able to discover such people. Taoism will surely gradually revitalize.
Q: Some people say that some of the essence of Taoism has been lost, and future generations will never be able to cultivate to the level of their predecessors.
Answer: The essence of Taoism will not be lost. If there is a danger that it will be lost, heaven will surely send someone to the world to inherit the Tao. Even if it has already been lost, heaven will also send someone to the world to revive Taoism.
Question: Many people, including some Taoist masters who are able to write books, such as Chen Zhening, have read a lot of Taoist books, worshipped many masters, and practiced for a lifetime, but have achieved nothing. What is the reason for this?
Answer: The foundation is very important for whether or not one can succeed in cultivation. Wang Chongyang had disciples all over the world, but only seven of them became enlightened. Just because someone is famous doesn't mean they have a deep foundation. No matter how much they read and how many masters they consult, if they can't settle down when meditating, there's nothing they can do. Many monks are the same way; they meditate for decades but still can't settle down.
Question: What do you mean by “can't settle down”? Can't they enter meditation?
Answer: Yes.
Question: When do you meditate and practice every day, and for how long?
A: Whenever I have time, I want to sit, but during the day there are always a few mountain villagers and tourists visiting, so I can only sit at night.
Q: What do you do when you enter meditation? Do you daydream? Can you tell us about your experiences?
The old Taoist priest just laughed and said, “When your kung fu is good enough, you'll know what's going on.”
Author: I thought of the famous Buddhist monk Guangqin, who after becoming a monk meditated in a cave and entered samadhi for more than 40 consecutive days without eating or drinking. The woodcutter thought he had died and hurriedly informed his master, the abbot of the large temple at the foot of the mountain. The abbot also felt that entering samadhi for more than 40 days was unheard of, and he also thought that he had passed away and was preparing to cremate him. However, he was not sure, so he invited Master Hongyi to identify the situation. Master Hongyi was already a very famous Buddhist monk of great virtue at the time. He came and took one look, and said that this kind of great meditation skill was rare throughout the ages. So he snapped his fingers three times, and went down the mountain to wait for Master Guangqin to come out of meditation. After Venerable Guangqin came down from his meditation and emerged from his trance, Master Hongyi knew that he had a profound foundation and was a great cultivator who had come back to the world with a great vow. Therefore, even though he was older and more famous than Venerable Guangqin, he never regarded himself as a teacher. Later, Venerable Guangqin went to Taiwan, and Venerable Xuanhua even sent someone to ask him for advice. Venerable Guangqin had not studied meditation techniques, and he naturally entered a state of meditation through reciting the Buddha's name. His master and mentor were far less accomplished than him.
I told the old Taoist priest the story of Venerable Guangqin, and he said that he was a great man. He also said that his foundation was deep, which is why he was able to surpass his master and mentor.
Q: Why is it that some people with a deep foundation are poor all their lives, and don't have as much good fortune as ordinary people?
A: The more deeply-rooted a person's foundation is, the greater the tribulations they will face. If they can be tempered in difficult circumstances, they will achieve even greater things in the future.
Author: I read in a book that Venerable Guangqin also said that if someone has suffered greatly, it is because he has the mission to propagate the Dharma in the future. If he does not go through the trials and tribulations, it will be difficult for him to shoulder the mission to propagate the Dharma in the future.
The old Taoist priest also said that if one wants to achieve great success in cultivation, one must be able to endure hardship and be able to let go.
Author: Venerable Guangqin also said this.
This old Taoist priest did not go to school, but the principles he expounded are similar to what I have read in many books.
Q: Are there many high people in Taoism? Some people have travelled to famous mountains to seek teachers and the Tao, but they have not met a single high person. Is it because the high people are too busy cultivating themselves and don't want to take on disciples?
A: I have been a monk for many years and have met many high people, from whom I have learned a lot. You can't judge a high person by their age or the length of time they have been a monk. Some teenagers can explain things that older monks who have been monks for decades can't. The key is in the foundation. Some things are innate, and some people can learn them without being taught. It is normal to be unable to find a master. It is easy for a master to find a disciple, but difficult for a disciple to find a master. Whether or not you can be found by a master depends on your innate foundation and subsequent cultivation. If he doesn't want you to know that he is a master, you won't find out.
Q: The vast majority of people are not people with a very good foundation, so can they not cultivate?
A: You can make up for a lack of innate talent. Do more good deeds and contribute more to Taoism, and your foundation will slowly be built up. Otherwise, even decades of monastic life may not be of any use. Cultivation is not just about wearing a Taoist robe and meditating. You can cultivate yourself at home just as well. Nowadays, many monastics are no better than laypeople. You can consciously support Taoism, and this is not for no reason. This is determined by your foundation, and you practice very well. (The old Taoist master can tell what strangers normally say and think. He only praises others and never criticizes them.)
 At night, I did not stay in a mountain villager's home, and with the old Taoist master's permission, I spent the night in his alchemy room.
He taught me to observe the stars, saying that changes in certain stars indicate what is about to happen. Unfortunately, I have no research on this and know nothing about it, so I could not ask any questions.
We went to bed. I woke up several times during the night and found that the old Taoist priest was not sleeping, but meditating in bed. He remained motionless until dawn.
In the morning, I asked the old Taoist priest, “If you don't sleep at night, aren't you sleepy during the day?” He said, “I meditate whenever I have time. I don't need to sleep.”
After bidding farewell, I went to the main temple to visit the old Taoist priest who was said to have cultivated Yangshen. The old Taoist priest looked different from the last time I saw him. He asked me where I was from and if I had eaten. I saw that he was having fun teasing the middle-aged Taoist priest who was serving him. But we didn't talk much, and he wouldn't say much. I felt that I was still more connected to the old hermit Taoist priest, with whom I had a dialogue.
On the way back, I thought, how many of those masters of the Dao who claim to be heirs of a certain school or lineage of Daoism actually practice? How many of them can remain calm? How many of them have had authentic experiences? How many of them are qualified to call themselves teachers?
How many of those high-minded people who pontificate online, quoting scriptures and making judgments, actually practice? How many of them can remain calm? How many of them have had authentic experiences? How many of them are qualified to call themselves teachers?
访一位深山隐修的老道长（啸命风雷）
访一位深山隐修的老道长
啸命风雷
最近利用出差学习的机会，抽空拜访了一位深山隐修的老道长，就是我去年遇到的那位老道长。
提前买了一些东西，作为礼品。
早上登山，云雾很大，几米外就看不清了。跋山涉水一个多钟头，终于到达这个人迹罕至的地方。
老道长正在与一个山民谈话，看到我来，很高兴。
在那里吃了中饭，请教了一些问题。以下内容是根据记忆整理而得。
问：经常看到人们为有无鬼神问题争论不休，请问老师傅，您认为有没有鬼神呢？道教的许多神仙，历史上并无记载。究竟是确有其神，还是世人编造出来的呢？
答：我的体会是，人神共存。至于神仙的来历，我也说不清。
作者：我想起纪晓岚的《阅微草堂笔记》，上面说，纪晓岚认识一位江西龙虎山法官（正一道士），拜表上章，招神遣将，非常灵验。纪晓岚问他其中的奥秘，他说，我只知道按照规程照葫芦画瓢，只知其然，不知其所以然。
问：网上很多人认为当今无人能够修成阳神，而您所说的那位修成阳神的老道长，我怎么看也觉得他不像大修行人，似乎有些老年痴呆症，这是怎么回事呢？
答：都能修成阳神，那当然不可能。没人能修成阳神，也说不过去。那位修成阳神的老道长，已经达到无色无相无声无臭（原话记不清了，好象就是怎么几个字）地步，不是一般人能够猜测。而且，他离开世间后，与在世间，又是两样。王重阳、丘处机要弘扬道教，就必须与普通人一样。而那位修成阳神的老道长，他不求人知。当然，人人都像他，也是不行的，如果都这样，道教就无人弘扬了。
作者：我想起四大山人过去在老道海论坛讲过他的寻师访道经历，他听说四川某地王留仙人将要羽化，赶紧跑去拜访。找到地方，大失所望，没找到什么王留仙人，只看到一老乾道病怏怏地躺在地上，一老坤道也不怎么搭理他。回来没多久，就听说两老道羽化，一姓王，一姓刘，就是所说的王留仙人。幸好他当时带有录音机，把与老道们的对话录了下来。再反复品味老道们的话，果然是饱含玄机。
问：道教是中国土生土长的宗教，可是现在非常衰败，远不能与其他几大宗教相比，这是什么原因造成的呢？
答：道教中栋梁之材不多，一些领袖人物也缺少弘扬道教、济世度人的心愿，所以无可奈何。我老了，对于道教的振兴没有作出什么贡献，有心无力啊！
问：我从网上看到，一些道教中人和好道之士正在为道教的振兴而努力，其中有几位年轻道长，来因非凡，修为很高，有一代宗师风范。
答：道教后继有人，我很高兴。你能发现这样的人，我也很高兴。道教必将逐步振兴。
问：有人说，道教的一些精华已经失传，后人再也无法修到前人的地步了，您看呢？
答：道教的精华不会失传。如果有失传危险，上天必派一人降世来继承道脉。即使已经失传，上天也会派一人降世来重振道教。
问：很多人包括一些能够著书的道学大师陈撄宁等人，丹书看了不少，师傅也拜了不少，练功一生，却什么也练不出来，这是什么原因呢？
答：修道能不能成，根基很重要。王重阳的弟子遍及天下，但成道的不过七人。有名气的人未必根基深，书看得再多，师傅访得再多，但打坐时定不住，那也没有办法。很多出家人也是这样，打坐几十年，还是定不住。
问：定不住是什么意思？是不能入定吗？
答：是。
问：请问您每天什么时候打坐练功，坐多长时间？
答：有空就想坐，但是白天总有几个山民、游客来访，只能在夜间坐一坐。
问：入定干什么？神游吗？能讲讲见闻吗？
老道长只是笑笑，说：功夫到了就知道是怎么回事。
作者：我想起佛教界有名的广钦上人，出家后在山洞里打坐入定，连续40多天不吃不喝，柴夫以为他死了，赶紧通报了他的师爷——山下大庙里的方丈。方丈也觉得入定40多天没听说过，也以为他圆寂了，准备火化。但又不敢肯定，于是请来弘一法师鉴定，弘一法师在当时已经是很有名望的佛教大德高僧了，他来了一看，说，这种大定功夫古今罕见。于是弹指三下，下山等待广钦上人出定。广钦上人出定下山后，弘一法师知道他根基深厚，是大修行人乘愿再来，所以尽管自己年纪、名望远长于广钦上人，但决不肯以师辈自居。后来广钦上人去了台湾，宣化上人还派人来请教他。广钦上人并没有学过禅定功夫，他是由念佛而自然入定。而他的师傅、师爷就远不及他的修为高。
我把广钦上人的故事讲给老道长听，他说，那是高人。又说，他的根基深，所以能超过他的师傅、师爷。
问：为什么一些根基很深的人一生贫困，还不及普通人福报大。
答：越是根基深的人，磨难越大。他能在困境中磨练出来，将来成就也越大。
作者：我从书上看到，广钦上人也说过，某人磨难大，那是因为他将来有弘法使命，如果不经过磨练，将来难以担负起弘法使命。
老道长还说，修道要想大成，必须要能吃苦、要能舍。
作者：广钦上人也是这样说的。
这位老道长没有上过学，但是他讲出的道理，与我从很多书上看到的差不多。
问：道教中高人多吗？有人走遍名山，寻师访道，可是却没有遇到一个高人。是高人只顾修自己，不愿意带徒弟吗？
答：我出家多年，过往高人遇到不少，从他们那里学的东西不少。高人不能看年纪大小、出家时间长短，有的十几岁的年轻人能够讲出出家几十年的老道讲不出的道理。关键在根基，有些东西是先天带来的，不教自会，有人教一学就会。找不到高人，这很正常。师傅找徒弟容易，徒弟找师傅就难。能不能被师傅找到，那要看他先天的根基和后天的修行。如果他不想让你知道他是高人，你就不发现不了。
问：绝大多数人都不是根基很好的人，难道就修不成了？
答：先天不足，后天能补。多做好事，多为道教出力，根基就会慢慢培养起来。不然的话，就是出家几十年，也不见得有什么用。修行不是穿上道服打坐练功，在家一样能修行。现在很多出家人还不如在家人。你能自觉护持道教，这不是无缘无故的，这是你的根基所决定的，你修行很好。（老道长能知陌生人平常的言行思想，他只夸奖别人，不批评别人。）
夜间没有寄宿山民家中，得到老道长许可，在他的丹房过夜。
他教我观星，说，某星发生什么变化，预示着将要发生什么事情。可惜我对此毫无研究，一窍不通，提不出任何问题。
各自上床睡觉。我夜晚醒了几次，发现老道长都没有睡，而是在床上打坐。直到天亮，他始终纹丝不动。
早晨起来后问老道长，夜晚不睡觉，白天困不困？他说，有空就想定，不需要睡觉。
告辞后又去大庙拜访了那位据说修成阳神的老道长。老道长与我上次见到有所不同，他问我从哪里来，吃饭没有。我看他与伺候他的中年道长逗趣，神态颇为有趣。但没有多谈，他不肯多说话。我觉得还是与那位隐修老道长有缘一些，有问有答。
回来的路上，我想，那些自称道家某门某派传人的丹道大师，在杂志上办班招生，著书立说，有几个练功？有几个定得住？有几个有实证体验？有几个有资格以人师自居？
那些在网上高谈阔论、引经据典、品头论足的高人，有几个练功？有几个定得住？有几个有实证体验？有几个有资格以人师自居？