Meditation Before
the Image of Buddha
(Excerpt)
By Eryue He
Trans. by Wang Xiao（王骁）
【1】 It is interesting to notice that in Chinese history Buddhism seems always concomitant with poetry. The order of their appearance is nowhere to know, or they both shine, adding radiance to each other. It appears that they share the same trend of vicissitudes, such as in Han and Tang dynasties, which is “almost the case” also in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
【2】 Another interesting thing in the world is that the country where religions come into being always loses them. Those saint founders of religions are either driven desperate by their countrymen or rebuffed everywhere, with their head broken and bleeding. Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, seems to have received a better treatment. But Buddhism prospers after its introduction to China while losing its vitality in its home India.
【3】 It is said that the Shaolin Temple explodes in popularity because of the film The Shaolin Temple[1]. It is true, but not exactly true, for I think that the fundamental reason of the Temple’s prosperity lies in its inherently cultural implications.
【4】 It is from the monk’s “fist” rather than its “Zen” that the Shaolin Temple gains considerable fame. Most people visit the Temple to see the several pits punched by fists which are so hard and so strong in hitting[2], while only nerds would lose themselves before Standing in Snow Pavil-ion[3]. It is proved by historical recordings and paintings that 13 Kungfu monks have saved Li Shimin, Prince of Tang[4]. With such great achievements, Buddhism naturally received strong support from the central government and thus became more prestigious. In retrospect, Xuanzang[5]stole into India but returned with the government’s grand welcome. At first, the power among courtiers for ruining Buddhism and opposing Buddhism-flattery was of great influence. But as the situation changed, we see a closer combination between the official and Buddhism and thus perceive the cultural tastes and openness of the Tang government. The two cultures finally shake hands with each other after so many adjustments, becoming cooperative friends by dispelling original slight enmity.
【5】 Such handshake establishes numerous grand and amazing temples, creating a magnificent spectacle. Maybe as arranged by heaven, the great and unparalleledly beautiful Tang poetry, another branch of Chinese culture, emerged at the proper moment.
【6】 I love such fascinating culture.
Notes
[1] It is a 1982 Chinese martial arts film directed by Chang Hsin Yen and starring Jet Li. Based on the Shaolin Temple in China and depicting Shaolin Kungfu, the film became popular throughout China.
[2] It is said that Kungfu monks practice Kungfu by punching the wall at that time.
[3] Also known as Bodhidharma Bower, it is a Ming building in memory of Huike’s legendary standing in snow for pleading Bodhidharma as his teacher.
[4] A legend recording the 13 Kungfu monks’ salvation of Li Shimin (598-649), Prince of Qin, later known as Emperor Taizong of Tang dynasty. He is here mistaken for Prince of Tang.
[5] Xuanzang (602-664) was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator who travelled to India in the seventh century in search of sacred books of Buddhism.
大赛原文
佛像前的沉吟（节选）
文/二月河
【1】 打开中国的历史去看，有件很有意思的事，佛教似乎总在与诗歌相伴。也不知谁先谁后，抑或是先后辉映，两家差不多是彼兴我兴，彼衰我衰。汉如此，唐如斯，元、明、清也“庶乎是矣”。
【2】 世界上还有一件有意思的事，形成宗教的国家总是留不住宗教。创教的圣人们不是被本国的乡亲们赶得走投无路，就是到处碰壁，弄得头破血流。释迦牟尼待遇似乎好一点，但他创的佛教，印度人却没留住，跑到了中国。
【3】 有人说少林寺出名，是因为《少林寺》这个电影，一炮走红了。这个话也对，也不完全对。我以为，少林寺兴旺的根本原因在于它本身原本就拥有的文化内涵。
【4】 使少林名声大噪的，并不是它的“禅”，是少林和尚的“拳”。到少林的人多数是看那几个练拳练出来的坑儿，书痴才会在立雪亭前发呆。但是，那拳头是太硬了，太有劲了。史有明载图有丹青作证，十三棍僧救唐王。有这擎天保驾的功劳，佛教得到了中央政权力助，自然更加熏灼炙人。回想，玄奘取经原本是偷偷去的印度，回来却受到政府盛大的欢迎。本来，大臣中灭佛反对佞佛的势力也很大的，但随形势转换，可以看到二者的结合愈来愈密切，一方面说，可以看到唐政府自身的文化品位与度量。两个文化稍有梗介到密弥相友，其间多少磨合，终于是握起手来了。
【5】 这样的握手，造出无数宏大奇伟的寺院丛林，蔚为万千气象，也许是冥冥中上苍有这样的安排，文化的另一支，伟大的、瑰丽无双的唐诗也应时而生。
【6】 我喜爱这样迷人的文化。
