A Nun Guides a Donation
 
Ji Xiaolan (1724 – 1805 AD), an author from the Qing Dynasty, wrote the following story in chapter 13 of Caotang Review Notes.
 
Long ago, there was a devoted nun in Cangzhou who wandered about in society, persuading people to practice compassion. It was interesting to note that she did not want believers to donate to her temple. Instead, she went to people’s homes to promote Buddhist virtue. She would visit whoever invited her, no matter whether they were high officials or noble lords, or impoverished common people. She treated everyone equally and she warmly persuaded people to practice compassion to resolve their problems. She did not ask for donations but only advised people to keep compassion in their hearts and to do good deeds.
 
One day a hostess named Fan invited the nun to her home. After she provided a meal she gave the nun a bolt of cloth as her donation.
 
The nun took the cloth, put it on the table, and said: "Buddha has already noticed your kind gesture. This is a fine bolt of cloth, and since you gave it to me, I will take it. Thank you very much. It is already approaching winter. I noticed that your aunt still wears only a thin layer of clothing, and seems unable to tolerate the cold. I would like to give this bolt of cloth to her so she can make a set of cotton-padded clothing. Is this OK with you?" The hostess was ashamed and speechless; she kept nodding her head to show her agreement. The nun also nodded her head, and smiling, lifted her hands in the Heshi position, said “Amitabha” and left.
 
From that point on, the hostess showed filial piety and respect for her aunt.
 
When I read this story, I was deeply moved. This nun did not take the donation but meticulously took care of others. She was also very knowledgeable at guiding and educating the believers. She truly had a Buddha heart and compassion toward all.
 
This nun's behavior deserves deeper consideration.
 
Whoever believes and worships Buddha should first be a good person and perform good deeds. Be kind to others and do not hurt anyone. If one makes a mistake, it should be confessed and corrected immediately. The hostess donated a bolt of cloth. She was kind but she did not pay close enough attention to her elderly aunt and let her suffer from the cold. It was her shortcoming. Under the nun's guidance, she quickly corrected herself. This is still praiseworthy!
 
Nobody should have wicked thoughts while worshiping Buddha. Evil individuals attempt to bribe Buddha for clemency. Will this work? It is an insult to Buddha. People nowadays commit bad deeds, yet in the meantime, they worship and make requests to Buddha and hope Buddha will help and protect them. This is only wishful thinking. What awaits is simply the heavenly punishment.
 
借布施而布施的女尼
 
据清代纪晓岚《阅微草堂笔记》卷十三记载的故事：
 
沧州有一位道行高深的女尼姑，她四处云游，劝人行善，但她不要信众们到她那个寺庙里去布施，却喜欢到人们的家中去弘传佛德。无论是达官贵人，还是贫苦农民，谁想接她，她都肯去。一视同仁，不分贵贱，热忱劝善，排忧解烦。不收布施，只是劝人存善心，做好事。“诸恶莫作，众善奉行”。
 
有一位姓范的女主人，一天把这位女尼请到家中，招待她吃完斋饭，送给她一匹好布，作为布施之礼。
 
女尼接过布匹，放在桌上，说道：“施主的行为，神佛已经鉴察。这真是一匹好布啊！既然施主把这匹布送给了我，谢谢施主，那么这匹布就是我的了。现在已经是十月寒天，我刚才见到您的姑妈还穿著单衣，有不胜寒冷的样子。我想把这匹布送给您姑妈，让她老人家做一身棉衣，好吗？”那位女施主，心生惭愧，满脸冒出汗来，一时说不出话，只是连连点头，表示同意。女尼也点头微笑，复又双手合十，说声“阿弥陀佛”，致谢而去。
 
从此以后，那位女施主对她的姑妈，十分关切和孝敬了。
 
笔者读到这篇文章，心中很受感动。那位女尼，不贪取他人的布施，却无微不至的关心他人，并且善于启发教育信众，真是深得佛心，深具善念。
 
女尼的这种行为，是值得深思的。
 
任何敬信神佛的人，都要做好人，行好事。处处与人为善，不可伤害他人。如果做了错事、坏事，要立即忏悔改正。那位女施主，布施布匹给女尼，心是好的，无可厚非。但她对身边的长者、她的姑妈，关心和孝敬不够，让她受著寒冷，确实是有不足之处。她在女尼的循循善诱的启发之下，很快的改正了她的不足，仍然十分可嘉！
 
但是，任何人都不可心存邪念，不可妄想用钱买命的办法，去对待神佛。坏人想贿赂、收买神佛，那能行吗？那是谤佛、辱佛。现在的人，一边在继续干坏事，一边又去求神敬佛，想得到神佛的保祐。那是妄想，是没有一点作用的。等待他们的，只能是天惩。