When studying The Analects of Confucius at the end of the semester, there was a question: "Among Confucius' disciples, why did Yan Hui achieve the highest achievement? What is the secret of his winning the teacher's heart? Later, I studied Hua Yan's Saving the Heart, and thought that Yan Hui's method of "learning from the truth" coincided with Hua Yan's Saving the Heart, and he was a soul mate with Confucius before he entered the realm of sages.
First, such as filial piety.
That is, as a dutiful son, he serves his parents, respects good knowledge, gives up his freedom, and his actions are arranged by a good teacher.
Filial piety is one of the core values of Confucianism. Confucianism in the pre-Qin period devoted itself to "benevolent government" and ran for world peace. The personal moral basis for realizing benevolent governance is "kissing and loving". The Buddha also taught us to respect teachers and Taoism with a filial piety to our parents. It is mentioned in the Sanskrit: "Honor parents, teachers and monks, three treasures, filial piety, and filial piety is called precept, which is also called check." He has a very profound observation of human nature, which coincides with Confucianism. It is hard to imagine that if a person is not filial to his grateful parents, he will really respect his teacher.
As a leading figure of Confucianism, Yan Hui should naturally set an example. "The Analects of Confucius Advanced" records that when Confucius was traveling around the world, he once passed through Kuangguo, and was mistaken by his fellow villagers for Yanghu Lake in Shandong, and was besieged for five days and five nights. Because of the chaotic situation, many disciples were lost and scattered. Yan Yuan later found Confucius, and Confucius asked anxiously, "I thought you were dead." Yan Yuan replied, "Teacher, you are still alive. How dare I die? It can be seen that Yan Yuan really served Confucius with a pure filial piety. Confucius' concern for Yan Hui exceeded the feelings of ordinary teachers and students. Confucius also used the words in the Book of Songs to evaluate his disciples. The evaluation of Yan Hui was like this: "Always say filial piety, think filial piety." Praising Yan Hui's filial piety can serve as an example for everyone. With this sincere filial piety, Yan Hui was blessed by the teacher, thus achieving extraordinary achievements.
Second, for example, Jin Gangxin.
"King Kong", all laws cannot be destroyed, but all laws can be broken. Metaphor has a strong confidence in good knowledge, and all obstacles such as demons, heresies and evil friends cannot be destroyed.
The chaotic situation in the Spring and Autumn Period just provided a stage for different ideas and theories to be displayed. For a time, "a hundred schools of thought contend" and "vertical and horizontal cooperation", diversified private schools rose with unprecedented pomp. Students are always on the move, and they are rarely single-minded to a teacher. Confucius also lamented in his later years: "Students who have experienced the difficulties of Chen and Cai are almost afraid to study any more." Only Yan Yuan followed his whole life and never gave up.
Another example shows that Yan Yuan's determination to serve Confucius is unshakable. There is also a man named Shao Zhengmao in the state of Lu. He preached heresy, dazzled people, and openly competed with Confucius for disciples, resulting in Confucius' "three surpluses and three shortages". Only Yan Yuan didn't go, "Yan Yuan only knew that Confucius was holy". (see "Xun Zi You Zuo").
There is not only one person's heresy, which can't shake Yan Yuan's firm confidence in the master. Even after suffering and narrow escape, it can't shake Yan Yuan's heart to follow the teacher. Historical Records of Confucius' Family records that even the closest disciples complained when they experienced Chen and Cai's difficulties, such as "opinions" and "Zi Gong's works". Confucius then called Luz, Zi Gong and Yan Yuan to discuss whether this ideological line was correct. Lutz's opinion is: We must have made a mistake, and we will be so unlucky if people don't buy it. Zi Gong's opinion is that the teacher's morality is too high for everyone to understand. Can you take a lower road and take the civilian route so as not to be hungry? When asked about Yan Yuan, he was completely different and expressed firm confidence: "The teacher's path is too great! It is too great for the world to understand and accept. Even so, teacher, you still go around tirelessly and take the initiative to explain to others, hoping to get the understanding and support of the rulers and benefit mankind. What does it matter if you haven't been accommodated before?
Isn't it a sign of a gentleman's integrity to advance despite difficulties without being accommodated? Improper training is our fault. But now it has been successfully completed, and no one wants to adopt it. It is those in power who don't know the goods. What does it matter if you are not accommodated? Only by not being accommodated can we see the great personality of a gentleman. Confucius was very happy to hear this. He said humorously, "Is there such a saying? If you were a young man, I would be your manager. 」
At the end of the legal era, in the holy land, the law was weak and the magic was strong. Scholars need a firm belief like Yan Yuan in order to walk firmly on the Bodhi road.
Third, such as the center of the earth
Load everything without complaint like the earth. Disciples should also shoulder the burden of all the undertakings of a good teacher and not be tired.
Confucius made remarkable achievements in teaching all his life, with 3,000 disciples. "There are seven people majoring in science, all of whom are capable people." . After many disciples finished their studies, Confucius recommended them to be officials in various countries. Only Yan Hui stays around and undertakes all kinds of complicated affairs. Yan Hui was also tired, devoted himself wholeheartedly and overdrawn his life prematurely. Yan Hui's early death, of course, is related to the hardships of long-term life, but the most important reason should be the result of his overwork for the teacher's career. Specifically, Yan Hui should assist Confucius in at least three aspects.
1. Auxiliary teaching. Confucius said, "I have my own back, and my disciples benefit my relatives." "As an excellent student, Yan Hui is not only smart and studious, but also influenced the vast majority of his classmates, making them have stronger confidence in Master. In addition, more and more disciples devoted themselves to Confucius and were influenced by Yan Hui. The advanced Analects of Confucius mentioned that "disciples wanted to bury Yan Hui" after his death, which also showed that he had a far-reaching influence and a very lofty position in disciples' minds.
2. Promote the ideal of benevolent governance. "Traveling around the world" is the most important life course of Confucius. "If you are useful to me, I regard it as the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. Confucius advocated the ritual and music system of the Zhou Dynasty. After he mastered it, he wanted to find a chance to experiment. However, after a lifetime of hard pursuit, he did not get the opportunity to display it. At this stage, Yan Hui has been roaming with Confucius, pommel horse fatigue. Even in the most difficult times, even Luz and Zigong were reluctant to part, and only Yan Hui always supported Confucius through one difficulty after another.
3. Organize ancient books. Confucius has always attached importance to the collection and collation of ancient cultural classics, especially in his later years, when he deleted poems and books, ordered rituals and music, praised Zhouyi and wrote Chunqiu. This is a huge project, which needs collective operation to complete. As the chief disciple of Confucius, Yan Hui led other disciples into the difficult sorting work. Especially in Zhouyi, Yan Hui is one of the main organizers. The overwork of finishing the work also led to his early death. Confucius wept bitterly at the death of Yan Hui. Confucius' sadness is not only lamenting the fall of genius, but also deeply saddened by his historical mission and the loss of a person who can truly inherit it!
Fourth, if the wheels go around the center of the mountain.
"Lunwei Mountain", also translated as "Tiewei Mountain", forms a small world around the Aral Sea. Let the surging waves beat and stand still. Here is a metaphor for a heart that relies on good knowledge and is not shaken by the disturbance of internal and external factors.
Among the disciples of Confucius, Yan Hui lived in poverty. Confucius once lamented: "Yan Hui's moral standard is high enough, but it is poor." . However, the embarrassment of life did not make him back down, but he worked harder than any disciple. Confucius admired his spirit of helping the poor and being happy: "Good, return!" ! A spoonful of food, a spoonful of drink, in the mean lane, people can't bear their worries, and they won't change their fun when they go back. Hyun-jae, come back! "Seeking Tao without seeking food" is the spiritual strength of the literati of past dynasties, and Yan Hui is undoubtedly a banner. He practiced this spiritual essence with his own life and became a model for future generations.
Five, such as the servant makes the heart.
Just like a servant in the world, taking care of a teacher's life, no matter how tired and dirty, there is no shame or hesitation in my heart.
The founder of Yin Guang often taught the public: "A person is not profound, so he can't be true. That is, whenever and wherever you are, you should lower your posture and lower your figure, so that you can get real benefits. Especially for teachers, if they can serve them tirelessly like servants, according to the original truth, they will certainly accumulate a lot of wealth resources quickly and miraculously open their own wisdom. Yan Hui was by Confucius' side all his life. He is both a disciple and a waiter. He has to take care of all the affairs of the teacher's daily life and diet, and at the same time, he has quickly accumulated resources for seeking Tao.
There is a material record in Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals: Confucius was trapped between Chen and Cai. He didn't eat a bite for seven days, and he didn't even have the strength to stand up during the day. His disciples complained constantly. Yan Hui hurriedly asked for some rice, picked up some dead branches and made a fire to cook for Confucius. When the rice was almost cooked, Confucius saw Yan Hui grab the rice in the pot with his hand and ate it first. Confucius pretended not to see it and muttered something in his heart. Yan Hui brought the rice to Confucius. Confucius said, "I just had a dream. My ancestors told me that I can't eat food until I give it to my elders. Yan Hui explained, "Master misunderstood. Coal ash fell into the pot just now. Unfortunately, I wanted to throw away the dirty rice and ate it. Confucius sighed: "People can trust their eyes, but sometimes they are not reliable. What is trustworthy is your own heart, but your heart is sometimes unreliable. Disciples should remember that it is not easy to really understand a person! Visible, is Yan Hui willing to be wronged at ordinary times, do the dirty work, without complaint. He served Confucius as faithfully as a servant, so that he could get the greatest blessing from Confucius and become the first disciple with the highest achievement.
Sixth, such as removing filth.
"Dirty people" are ordinary cleaners, generally referring to the lowest-level workers. If these people can be satisfied with the bottom jobs, they must have a humble attitude. Here, I emphasize another mentality of serving good knowledge-modesty mentality.
Yan Hui is a very modest man. There is an article in The Analects of Confucius for Politics that describes Yan Hui's learning from his teacher. He seems to have no different views on what the teacher said, and he looks silly. He can still exert himself when he goes home to teach himself, so he is not stupid. Yan Hui is not only not stupid, but also the cleverest of all his disciples. Even Zi Gong admired him for "knowing ten things at a glance". Why should such a smart person be "stupid like a fool"? It is his pure respect and trust for the teacher, and his humble attitude like a cleaner. Therefore, he can accept any instruction from the teacher with great pleasure. Confucius sometimes even complained a little about him: "Yan Hui, a disciple, is of no help to me. He doesn't like accepting anything from me. 」
Cultivating modesty has become the most important lesson in Yan Hui's life. After reading The Analects of Confucius, we really can't find anything for Yan Yuan to brag about. Confucius praised him the most, but he often lamented that he didn't learn well: "Although I wanted to follow, I didn't learn well." 」
"I go downhill slowly, and I don't save water." In the process of learning, if I am slow, I think the teacher is nothing, maybe I am not as good as myself. Then even if the teacher's virtue is high and his knowledge is good, there is no way to pass it on. This is a natural phenomenon of Farr. This monk, a good star, has been following the teachings of the Buddha for 24 years, and he can recite all the 12 Classics of Sanzang and tell the public without hindrance. So I came to my senses and thought that the Buddha was nothing but ten feet lighter than myself. Based on this karma, he degenerated into a hungry ghost who robbed and suffered. We should learn from Yan Hui's profound modesty, observe the teacher's merits and demerits everywhere, and hold the heart of respect and gratitude to get the real benefits of learning.
Seven, if you are careful.
"Riding" means riding. Just like a car, full of heavy goods, although the road is difficult, it will definitely arrive. Similarly, disciples are willing to accept the teacher's career, no matter how difficult it is, they will never give up.
It is the political ideal of Confucius' life to restore the rites of Zhou Dynasty and promote benevolent government. And this great ideal is almost impossible to realize under the condition of the hegemony of princes. Confucius also knew that he was doing something he knew he couldn't do, but even if it didn't succeed, it was a good thing, which could influence politics and make the rulers reduce the killing. A great and compassionate heart urged Confucius to bump forward on the bumpy road of life again and again. Can disciples understand Confucius' thoughts? I'm afraid only Yan Yuan can fully understand Confucius' ideal, follow the teacher rain or shine, and have no regrets all his life.
Confucius once traveled in the north, accompanied by Luz, Zigong and Yan Hui. On a whim, Confucius asked the three of them to talk about their ambitions and be judges themselves to see who had higher ambitions. Confucius commented on Lutz's ambition, "Brave! Confucius' ambition in evaluating Zigong is to "argue". Yan Hui's ambition is: "If the establishment is too outrageous, there is nothing I can do. If it is more reliable, I will carry on what the teacher taught me, such as moral education, etiquette, music education ... if it is really implemented, there is no need to repair the city and dig ditches; All weapons are cast into production tools; Every family is reunited safely, and they don't have to go anywhere for military service; Even after another thousand years, there is no need to worry about war. " Confucius' evaluation result is Yan Hui first, "Yan Hui, of course! It is best not to waste people and money, and don't waste your breath. " (See "Confucius' Family Language, the Eighth Thought")
As can be seen from this material, Yan Hui's words are almost always Confucius' usual thoughts. Confucius only hoped that the rulers could implement benevolent policies, give up war, make the society stable, make the people rich and live in harmony. As the saying goes, "Old people are safe, friends believe, and young people are pregnant". And this belief is firmly engraved in Yan Yuan's heart. In order to realize this great social ideal, he accompanied Confucius all the way, traveled all over Qian Shan, experienced the vicissitudes of life, and never returned, and died without regret.
Eight, like a dog's heart
No matter how much the master beats and scolds, the loyal dog always refuses to leave his master, and there is no resentment in his heart. Similarly, a true disciple has no resentment even if he is scolded by the teacher.
Confucius scolded his students, and the worst thing was to kill me. Once he killed me and slept during the day, Confucius scolded him: "You can't carve rotten wood or dung walls." Lutz is the one who scolds the most. But in the end, both of them were very successful figures, ranking in the top ten among Confucius disciples. I even became a huge fan of Confucius. After the death of Confucius, he vigorously promoted Confucianism and said, "Confucius is so great, he is even greater than Yao and Shun! 」
Confucius said, "Benevolent people can be good and hateful. The key to this is the word "can", that is to say, only really kind people have the ability to like or dislike others. Then, ordinary people also live in love and hate every day. Why did they say no? Because "energy" has a kind of initiative, a benevolent person is childlike and principled, so he has the initiative. Whether he loves you or hates you, it comes from wisdom and can achieve you. The average person "can't" because he is emotional and his heart is tied to the situation. Whether he loves you or hates you is revealed from his troubles, and the result will only arouse more troubles.
In this way, it is very important to have a "dog heart" when serving knowledge well. Because the acceptance of good knowledge is not always good-tempered, it may also be cold-faced. This is called "folding two lines". If we can't stand anger and pain, we may miss the opportunity and finally regret it.
In the Analects of Confucius, Luz is the student who can express the dog's heart best. He was scolded by the teacher many times, but he never left his master in his life. Yan Yuan, on the other hand, has always been praised by teachers, and almost no critical quotations can be found. Mainly Yan Yuan's self-cultivation level is very high. Confucius commented that he was "never angry and never guilty" and praised his ability of high emotional self-discipline and clear judgment of good and evil. In other words, even if there is something wrong with him, you don't have time to criticize him. He can already perceive it and earnestly repent and repair it. For such people, good knowledge can only be admired.
Does this mean that Yan Yuan doesn't need a "dog heart"? Don't! Although the teacher always praises him, there are too many students around him who are not convinced. If he doesn't put up with humiliation everywhere, I'm afraid it will be difficult to be with Confucius all his life. On one occasion, Confucius said to Yan Yuan: "If you use it, you can; Give up and you can hide. Only you and I are husbands. " This time, Lutz was not convinced. "Excuse me, old man, if you always go out to fight, who will you take with you? Confucius said, "Those who fight tigers with their bare hands and cross the river barefoot are not afraid of death, so I won't take them. "The people I bring must be able to handle things carefully and plan well, so as to be foolproof. From these conversations, we can also smell a faint smell of gunpowder. Zi Gong and Luz are highly cultivated students. Are there any other students? As the saying goes, "good trees in the forest will be destroyed by the wind." In order to maintain harmony in complex interpersonal relationships, Yan Yuan had to keep a low profile, keep a low "dog heart" and cock his tail like a man.
Nine, such as the heart of the boat
Like a ferry, it comes and goes, no matter how many times, and it is not tired. Similarly, no matter how much you undertake, how much you run back and forth, and the tasks assigned by the teacher, you will never get tired.
Yan Yuan's diligent study has been recorded in The Analects of Confucius many times. The most typical example is that both Lu Aigong and Ji Kang asked Confucius the same question: "Who is the disciple who wants to learn? Confucius replied sadly, "Those who have Yan Hui are eager to learn, but unfortunately they died short-lived and will die today. Among all his disciples, Confucius praised Yan Hui as the most studious student. Not only Confucius thinks so, but all the students generally think that Yan Hui is the most diligent. Wen Zi, the general of Wei, asked Zi Gong, "Confucius taught many excellent disciples. What are their characteristics? Please introduce them to me. " Zi Gong was the first to introduce Yan Hui: "My husband can stay up all night, satirize and admire the ceremony, and he will never fail to do it, which is called meticulous. It is also a trip to Yan Hui. " Sleeping all night ",this is Yan Yuan's deepest impression.
"University" advocates a spirit: "New is new, and change is new. This is the spirit of self-improvement and enterprising. Confucianism adopted this spirit and used it to cultivate self-cultivation. They believe that everyone has all kinds of ideas in his heart, and there is also a war between man and nature. If we can learn from the thoughts of sages, we will be influenced by them, and we will be able to rationally overcome human desires and reach the realm of sages. Yan Hui has the favor of Confucius and the correct mentality and method of relying on good knowledge. So he was precocious and soon succeeded. In his twenties, he thoroughly understood Confucius' mental method and was honored as "restoration of holiness" by later generations.
With the psychological foundation of "flowery words and nine hearts", it is already a very rare musical instrument. In order to make the instrument mature as soon as possible, disciples should also practice the "two thoughts" on good knowledge, that is, reading merit and goodness, so as to quickly generate and consolidate the good and wonderful resources of the teacher's way. If you don't read merit, you may be superstitious; If you don't read kindness, it will inevitably lead to estrangement. Then, let's see how Yan Hui practices the "Two Thoughts" for his teachers.
The Analects of Confucius Zi Han records that Yan Yuan sighed: "The higher you lift it, the harder you drill. Look ahead, suddenly how come back. (This paragraph is about "the merits of reading". ) The master was persuasive. He wrote me a letter asking me to be polite, but I couldn't stop. I have exhausted my talents. If I do something, although I want to follow it, I have already done it. Reading this article today, we should not only be impressed by Confucius' moral articles, but also learn from Yan Yuan's appreciation of teachers' merits and kindness.
When the time comes, demons will flourish, pretending to be good knowledge and disturbing the world. If you don't follow the teacher's correct mentality, the consequences will be unimaginable. In the Shurangama Sutra, it is said that "teachers and disciples are all trapped in the dilemma of the king" and "lost in prison". Therefore, scholars should follow Yan Yuan's example, realize the importance of relying on teachers, appreciate the merits of knowledge every day, and serve teachers with the spirit of "being strict with nine hearts", so as to obtain a new and new realm.