明觀和尚湖北人，虛老住持福州鼓山湧泉寺時，曾為知客僧。服務謹慎，待人和藹。餘於南京句容縣空青山初遇，參加十個禪七坐禪，為忘年友。次遇廣東南華寺，旋為雲公委為廣州六榕寺住持。於末法時代，講述《金剛經》，秉承堅固願，領眾修行。時為一九四九年秋，時局動盪，人心惶惶。餘向明和尚建議：「汝將寺中財產速為處理，方法有三：一者，以寺中財力一半，分給十方僧眾，使住者自立夥食：行者作為路費。二老，或將全部財力移至香港，置地建寺，照常安眾辦道。三者，或將資金存於香港銀行應變。」明和尚雲：「恐錯因果，難於照辦。」終至全部損失，殊為遺憾！
註解：
憶就是回憶，回想起這位明觀和尚，小眼睛、小鼻子、小嘴巴，但是鬍子很長。他是湖北人，虛雲老和尚在鼓山做方丈時，他做知客他做事很謹慎，對人很客氣服務態度非常謹慎；待人和藹可親，不敢錯因果。住處沒有床，也沒蚊帳，就在禪堂裡坐單。那時他七十多歲我三十多歲，我們的交情很好。
我第一次認識他，是在南京句容縣的空青山，我們參加十個禪七，參禪打坐，互相相識為忘年之友。第二次，我在廣東南華寺又遇見他。虛雲老和尚很快委任他為廣州六榕寺的住持。在這末法時代，他講解《金剛經》，秉著所發堅固誓願，領眾修行。
那時在一九四九年的秋天，時局非常動亂，共產黨變化整個大陸，國民黨已撤退至臺灣，人心惶惶，皆作逃難的打算。我就向明觀和尚建議：寺中的財產迅速處理，有三個方法：
（一）以寺中的財力一半，分給十方僧眾，使居留者能有資糧自立夥食。要遠行者有路費。
（二）或者將全部財力轉移到香港。在香港現買地建寺，照常可以安眾辦道。
（三）或者將資金存放在香港銀行，以應時局的變化。可是明和尚當時不接受我的建議，他說這筆賬會錯因果，難於照辦。結果共產黨來，全部抄家，又清算，財產沒收了，終於全部損失。這真是太遺憾了。
待續 |
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Text:
Dharma Master Ming Guan was born in Hubei Province. When Venerable Master Hsu Yun was the abbot of Yongquan (Bubbling Springs) Monastery in Gushan (Drum Mountain), Fuzhou, Dharma Master Ming Guan was the guest prefect. He worked discreetly and was friendly and courteous with others. I first met him at Kongqing Mountain of Gourong County in Nanjing. We attended a ten-week Chan session and became friends despite the great difference in our ages. I met him for the second time at Nanhua Monastery in Guangdong Province. He was soon appointed the abbot of Liurong (Six Banyans) Monastery in Guangzhou by Venerable Master Hsu Yun. In this Dharma Ending Age, he lectured the Vajra Sutra. Guided by his resolute vows, he led the assembly in cultivation. In the autumn of 1949, the political situation became unstable and people were in a panic. I suggested to Dharma Master Ming Guan, "You should deal with the monastery's property as soon as possible. There are three options: First, distribute half of the financial resources to the left-home people from the ten directions, so that those who are staying will have means to provide for themselves and those who are traveling will have traveling fare. Second, transfer all financial resources to Hong Kong, buy a piece of land, and build another monastery, where you can still lead the assembly to cultivate the Way. Third, deposit all the funds in Hong Kong banks to prepare for any sudden changes." Dharma Master Ming Guan replied, "I'm afraid to make mistakes in cause and effect. It's difficult to follow your advice." In the end, regretfully, everything was lost!
Commentary:
"In memory" means to recall. I remember that although Dharma Master Ming Guan had small eyes, a small nose and a small mouth, his beard was very long. He was born in Hubei Province. When Venerable Master Hsu Yun was the abbot at Gushan, Dharma Master Ming Guan was the guest prefect. He was very careful when he worked and was an amiable fellow. He dared not make any mistake regarding cause and effect. He had neither a bed nor a mosquito screen in his room. He slept sitting up in the Chan Hall. At that time, although he was over 70 years old and I was around 30, we had a good relationship.
The first time I met him was at Kongqing Mountain of Gourong County in Nanjing. Both of us attended a ten-week Chan session. We investigated Chan and meditated. We forgot our age and became fast friends. I met him for the second time at Nanhua Monastery in Guangdong Province. He was soon appointed as the abbot of Six Banyans Monastery in Guangzhou by Venerable Master Hsu Yun. In this Dharma Ending Age, he lectured and explained the Vajra Sutra. Guided by his firm resolve, he led the assembly to cultivate.
In the autumn of 1949, the political situation was chaotic. The Communists were changing the country of China, and the Nationalists had retreated to Taiwan. People were panicking and ready to flee. I advised Dharma Master Ming Guan to quickly deal with the monastery's property. I proposed three methods: 1. Distribute half of the financial resources to the left-home people from the ten directions. This would provide people who were staying with money and food. Those who wished to travel afar would have funds as well. 2. Move all the money to Hong Kong, buy some property and build another monastery there. He could still lead the assembly to cultivate the Way. 3. Deposit all the money in Hong Kong banks so he could use it in times of need.
However, Dharma Master Ming Guan chose not to heed my advice. He felt that my suggestions would cause him to err in cause and effect, so he didn't follow them.
In the end, when the Communists came, the property and assets were confiscated, and all was lost. That was truly regretful.
To be continued |
