ExclusiveTraditional Chinese Tales: A Monk Constrained by Materialistic Desires

A Monk Constrained by Materialistic Desires In ancient India, there was a man who became resentful towards people in the mundane world following a sudden burst of fury. He then left home, fled to a temple, and converted to a monk. Despite becoming a monk who had ordained and entered the monastic life physically, he still harbored desires for materialistic matters in the outside world and was bound by these attachments. He often applied fragrant oil to his body and bathed in scented water, caring about smooth skin with good scent. He was also quite particular about the quality of his bedding. These materialistic desires entangled him like creeping vines, depriving him of any moments of true freedom. Although on the surface he had already become a monk and received precepts, his behaviors and mental state remained no different than an ordinary person, far away from the sacred path to the divine. At that time, in the Mala Kingdom, there lived a revered Upagupta, renowned for his virtues. This new monk visited the venerable one out of admiration. The venerable monk asked, what brings you here from afar? The new monk replied, I have come because I admire you, wishing to hear your compassionate insights on the essence of Buddhist teaching. The venerable one observed the new monk and realized this new monk was still shackled by his materialistic desires, unable to attain liberation. Thus, the venerable one asked, can you completely listen to my words and follow my instructions? I certainly can, I will follow all your instructions, answered the new monk. The venerable one stated, if you start to build confidence, I will teach you supernormal abilities first, then I will give you Buddhist teaching. The monk responded, learning the supernormal abilities first would be great. Then the venerable one led the new monk into the mountains, taught him meditation and instructed him that he must follow the orders exactly. The venerable one used his supernormal abilities to turn into a huge tree and instructed the new monk, you shall climb this big tree. So the new monk followed the instruction and climbed the tree. But once he looked down, he saw a giant pit of great depth. Then the venerable one ordered, let go of the tree with both of your feet. The new monk could only follow the instruction to let go with his feet. Then the venerable one told him to let go with one hand. The new monk followed. Once the venerable one ordered the new monk to let go with the other hand, the new monk became extremely terrified and exclaimed, if I let go with the other hand, I will fall into the pit and die. You already promised to follow all my instructions. How could you regret? The new monk had no choice. So he resolved to let go of all his thoughts and his last hand and subsequently fell into the deep dark pit. At that moment, he was scared to death, drenched in cold sweat. Once he opened his eyes, both the tree and pit had disappeared. Then the venerable one started to teach him. Let me ask you, when you let go with your last hand, was there anything in the world still worth being attached to? The venerable one, at that moment of life and death, nothing was worth clinging to, answered the new monk. Yes, everything in the world is an illusion. Once the physical body no longer has any desire, the attachments will vanish. If you could see through the impermanence of the physical body, then the entangling attachments are to be freed. Attachments are the source of troubles in life. Cautiously avoid them. Don't let go of your true nature and you shall be able to practice on the righteous path. The new monk was suddenly enlightened. Ever since then, he diligently practiced and ultimately attained the status of Arhatship.