寒耕暑耘(To cultivate the land in the cold and
toil in the heat.)
蘇軾是中國的宋王朝的一個著名的政治家與美食家，他還是一名傑出的文學家與書法家。他更是中國歷史上最受人喜愛的詩人之一。
他曾經寫過一篇文章，他在這篇文章有談論到他對於一些自己生活的宋王朝的時代觀察，他在這篇文章中寫下當時佛教界中出現的一些令他覺得不好的現象。
這篇文章中有一段文字如下。
普通百姓在寒冷的天氣時耕地在炎熱的天氣時種田，而且普通百姓還有一項義務，他們必須要接受政府不定期的徵召、他們被要求去從事各式各樣的勞役。
根據現在的法律規定，佛教的和尚可以不用耕田也不用服勞役，所以我想這就是很多人去當和尚的原因。
佛教有很多的戒律，很多誠心追求佛法的人願意遵守這些戒律過的簡單而且樸素的生活，但是我看到有很多佛教的和尚並不遵守這些戒律，這些和尚進入佛寺修行的主要目的就是為了逃避普通百姓所必須承擔的責任，而且這些人往往很會表現出虔敬的外貌，他們憑藉著自己的聰明的腦袋研究很多奇特的學說，然後他們宣講這些學說，他們把自己包裝成一個很有智慧而且通徹佛教典章的高僧。
我也讀過很多佛教的典籍，我曾經仔細的研究過這些被認為是大師的佛教高僧的言論，我發現這些人說話的內容非常的不切實際，它們會講一些無法證實也無法證偽的事情，他們用很多巧妙且迂迴的言語來應對別人對他的觀點的質疑<當他們在辯論時落下風的時候，他們會把話題轉到另外一套更虛幻的學說來讓質疑他們的人陷入他們所設置的令人迷惑的狀態中。
我很瞧不起這些人的行為而且我很討厭這類型的人，所以我已經預先研究過這些人說話的各種模式，我會自己預先演練跟這些人辯論的時候，這些人會怎樣回答我，然後我應該要如何破解這些人的言論，我已經是先找出這些人說話時的一些漏洞。
我在中國各地旅遊的時候，當我遇到這類型的人，我最喜歡做的一件事情就是跟他們討論佛教的經典與教義，由於我已經提早做好準備，這類型的人在與我辯論之後往往會陷入一種不知道怎樣反駁我的窘境，這些人為了維持自己高雅的姿態所以不敢跟我發脾氣，他們只能強迫自己露出勉強的微笑並對我說。
我拒絕再跟你辯論，你是一個無法體會真正的佛教真理的人。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是在寒冷的天氣時耕地在炎熱的天氣時種田。
這句成語被用來形容一個人非常辛苦的工作。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的啟發或有怎樣的想法呢。
你有遇過這種外表很正直但內心很投機的人嗎?你認為你是否真的理解你所信仰的宗教的教義呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為蘇軾-中和勝相院記
https://zh.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E4%B8%AD%E5%92%8C%E5%8B%9D%E7%9B%B8%E9%99%A2%E8%A8%98
To cultivate the land in the cold and toil
in the heat.(寒耕暑耘)
Su Shi was a renowned politician, gourmet
and writer of the Song dynasty in China, as well as an outstanding
calligrapher. He is also one of the most beloved poets in Chinese history.
He once wrote an essay discussing his
observations of the Song dynasty, specifically some phenomena within the Buddhist
community that he found unsatisfactory.
A passage from this essay reads as follows:
'Ordinary people cultivate the land in the
cold and toil in the heat. They are also obliged to accept irregular
conscription by the government and perform various kinds of labour.
According to current laws, Buddhist monks
are exempt from farming and labour service, which is why many people become
monks.
Buddhism has many precepts, and many
sincere seekers of the Dharma are willing to abide by them and live simple, austere
lives. However, I have seen many Buddhist monks who do not adhere to these
precepts. These monks enter Buddhist temples primarily to escape the
responsibilities that ordinary people must bear. Moreover, these individuals
often skilfully project an image of piety. They use their intelligence to study
strange doctrines and then preach them, presenting themselves as wise,
well-versed high monks in Buddhist scriptures.
Having read many Buddhist scriptures and
carefully studied the sayings of these so-called masters, I found that their
statements are extremely impractical. I found that their statements are
extremely impractical. They speak of things that cannot be proven or disproven,
using clever, roundabout language to avoid answering questions about their
views. When they lose a debate, they change the subject to another, even more
illusory doctrine, leaving their critics in a confusing predicament.
I despise the behaviour of these people and
I hate this type of person. Therefore, I have studied their various speaking
patterns in advance. I've rehearsed how they would respond when I debate with
them and how I should break down their arguments. I have already identified the
flaws in their statements.
One of my favourite things to do when I
travel throughout China and encounter this type of person is to discuss
Buddhist scriptures and doctrines with them. Because I have prepared in
advance, these people often find themselves in an awkward situation after
debating with me, unsure how to refute me. To maintain their refined demeanour,
they cannot afford to lose their temper with me; they can only force a smile
and say, 'I refuse to debate with you any more. You are someone who cannot
comprehend the true truth of Buddhism.'
This idiom translates as "To cultivate
the land in the cold and toil in the heat".
It is used to describe someone who works
extremely hard.
Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts
did you gain from this story?
Have you ever met someone who seems honest but
is actually very opportunistic? Do you think you truly understand the doctrines
of your religion?
I hope this story gives you some new
insights.