誰說信佛就不該信玄學?Can a Buddhist be an advocate of metaphysics?
坦白說,我不太喜歡被套上‘風水師父’這名號,有點俗。
光明坊的店員聼了後,收斂了無禮的態度,說:“你們是這
明明就是這樣啊,師姐,都是佛弟子,何必因我的專業而起
很多佛門弟子沒有好好地研究佛陀的歷史就排斥玄學。佛陀
店員認爲一心修佛,一切會吉祥,這道理是沒錯,問題是,
玄學是旁支,是一種方便法、入世法。雖是旁支,卻實實在
光明坊若有宏船法師的風水調教,此店的法務發展就不會如
*光明坊乃新加坡光明山普覺禪寺經營的現代生活佛具文物
One day, I went to the Awareness Place at Bras Basar Complex and had the affinity to give a little advice to one of the salespersons who looked a little down that day. The other salesperson there however displayed contempt towards the mention of metaphysics and seemed to have a misconceived notion that geomancers are mercenary businessmen. She was adamant that as long as one possessed complete faith in the Buddha and cultivated accordingly, all would be well without the assistance of Feng Shui.
Frankly, I do not like being cast into the “Feng Shui Master” stereotype. It is old-school, and my knowledge is not just limited to Feng Shui. Perhaps a more suitable term could be “Geomancer” or even “Metaphysician”. I also dislike being asked “How’s business?”. I might be self-employed, but I definitely don’t see myself as a businessman. Right from the start, my calling has been to propagate the Dharma and guide all sentient beings to break free of their worldly afflictions. Utilizing Chinese metaphysics is just a skilful mean to my end.
Indignant by the salesperson’s mannerism, my disciple beside me said, “Isn’t the great success of Kong Meng San Phor Kar See Monastery also due to the application of Feng Shui by Venerable Hong Chuan? He used Feng Shui to aid Singapore’s prosperity and build a haven for sentient beings to learn the Dharma. Not everyone can accept Buddhism readily. My master uses the art of metaphysics to solve the problems in their daily lives and reduce their troubles. Those with an affinity to Buddhism, he would then certainly guide them towards the Dharma.”
Hearing this, the sales lady reined in her impolite attitude and remarked, “It’s good if that is indeed what you practice.”
This is indeed the truth, my Dharma sister. We are all fellow disciples of the Buddha. Why do you perceive me in the wrong light merely based on my occupation?
Many Buddhists who reject Chinese Metaphysics do not have a deep understanding of the history of Buddhism. One of the ten renowned disciples of the Buddha is Venerable Sariputta, an Arhat foremost in wisdom. He hailed from a respected and learned Brahmin family and was a spiritual ascetic, well-versed in metaphysics, geomancy included, before he took refuge in the Buddha. That year when Anāthapindika wished to build a monastery for the Buddha and his disciples, Venerable Sariputta was tasked with finding the ideal location for the monastery. Because Venerable Sariputta knew geomancy!
The salesperson’s notion of “cultivate wholeheartedly and everything will be fine” is not wrong. The question remains if one can achieve the wholeheartedness in your daily life every single moment. When your house Feng Shui is plagued with errors and problems emerged one after another, are you still able to practice the Dharma wholeheartedly? Even if you can, are you sure your family living together with you is able to? Good Feng Shui removes karmic hindrances in their physical forms while spiritual cultivation eradicates non-physical karmic hindrances. From another perspective, the merits from your spiritual cultivation have bore fruits and presented itself in you being able to meet a good geomancer to assist you with your worldly problems. What a pity if you fail to recognize this blessing.
Metaphysics is an ancient method to solve the worldly problems of mankind. Though not a path to spiritual liberation, it is complementary to our spiritual cultivation. Should a man be in a situation of dire poverty, how would he have the confidence to chant the mantras? However, once his immediate situation gets improved by the application of geomancy, it will lessen his worries and give him the peace of mind to discover his own Buddha nature and attain liberation through diligent cultivation.
If Venerable Hong Chuan had harnessed the strength of Feng Shui to aid Awareness Place, the development of the store would have been a different story altogether. Unfortunately the vast Feng Shui knowledge possessed by the Venerable was not passed on. A huge and famed monastery, as KMSPKS is today, is unlikely to hire an “outsider” for Feng Shui advice. To be held down by its own fame, what a pity indeed.
*Awareness Place is a holistic lifestyle store, operated by Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.