1 00:00:00,301 --> 00:00:02,117 The 108 heroes of Water Margin 2 00:00:02,380 --> 00:00:04,258 Why was Lu Zhishen the only one who awakened 3 00:00:04,980 --> 00:00:06,998 Have you ever wondered about something strange 4 00:00:07,501 --> 00:00:08,897 One hundred and eight heroes 5 00:00:09,221 --> 00:00:10,438 Upholding justice on behalf of Heaven 6 00:00:10,500 --> 00:00:12,477 They marched gloriously up Mount Liang 7 00:00:12,861 --> 00:00:13,417 But in the end 8 00:00:13,820 --> 00:00:16,518 Some died some scattered and some went mad 9 00:00:16,740 --> 00:00:18,917 Hardly any of them met a good end 10 00:00:19,060 --> 00:00:20,678 Yet there was one man 11 00:00:20,740 --> 00:00:23,638 Who killed and burned drank and ate meat all his life 12 00:00:23,740 --> 00:00:25,597 And never followed the monastic rules 13 00:00:25,861 --> 00:00:26,417 What happened to him 14 00:00:26,780 --> 00:00:29,219 Of all those one hundred and eight men 15 00:00:29,221 --> 00:00:32,118 He alone lived with clarity and died fulfilled 16 00:00:32,220 --> 00:00:35,078 That man was the tattooed monk Lu Zhishen 17 00:00:35,904 --> 00:00:36,261 Hello 18 00:00:36,385 --> 00:00:36,861 Hello everyone 19 00:00:37,025 --> 00:00:38,081 I am Leo Wang 20 00:00:38,224 --> 00:00:40,261 Today I want to talk about Water Margin 21 00:00:40,785 --> 00:00:42,602 We have read this book since childhood 22 00:00:42,624 --> 00:00:44,743 Yet the older we get and the more we revisit it 23 00:00:44,745 --> 00:00:46,242 The less simple it seems 24 00:00:46,544 --> 00:00:50,522 On the surface it is about loyalty and brotherhood 25 00:00:50,664 --> 00:00:51,941 But what is it really about 26 00:00:52,345 --> 00:00:53,581 It is about one hundred and eight people 27 00:00:53,864 --> 00:00:55,264 Marching under the banner of righteousness 28 00:00:55,264 --> 00:00:57,801 And spending their lives in the fire of hatred 29 00:00:57,944 --> 00:00:59,202 Let me ask you a question 30 00:00:59,345 --> 00:01:02,361 This question will run through the whole episode 31 00:01:02,425 --> 00:01:04,841 Keep it in mind as we continue 32 00:01:05,225 --> 00:01:07,823 When someone attacks and kills with righteous conviction 33 00:01:07,825 --> 00:01:09,504 Are they really acting justly 34 00:01:09,505 --> 00:01:11,061 Or are they being driven by anger 35 00:01:11,771 --> 00:01:13,148 Let us look at a few people first 36 00:01:13,812 --> 00:01:14,249 The first 37 00:01:14,571 --> 00:01:15,268 Li Kui 38 00:01:15,732 --> 00:01:17,249 During the rescue at the Jiangzhou execution ground 39 00:01:17,651 --> 00:01:19,109 The book describes it clearly 40 00:01:19,411 --> 00:01:21,089 The heroes of Mount Liang rushed in to save Song Jiang 41 00:01:21,532 --> 00:01:22,708 And stormed the execution ground 42 00:01:23,052 --> 00:01:24,969 The others still distinguished friend from foe 43 00:01:25,452 --> 00:01:26,049 But what about Li Kui 44 00:01:26,612 --> 00:01:27,689 He raised his two axes 45 00:01:28,052 --> 00:01:29,508 And hacked through everyone in front of him 46 00:01:29,651 --> 00:01:31,268 Whether soldiers or civilians 47 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:32,169 What does that mean 48 00:01:32,812 --> 00:01:34,189 He cut down anyone he saw 49 00:01:34,332 --> 00:01:37,428 Whether an official or an ordinary passerby 50 00:01:37,692 --> 00:01:38,928 Someone shouted at him from the side 51 00:01:39,252 --> 00:01:40,229 Stop killing innocent people 52 00:01:40,812 --> 00:01:42,229 He simply could not hear it 53 00:01:42,873 --> 00:01:44,570 Think carefully about that scene 54 00:01:44,912 --> 00:01:45,990 When Li Kui was hacking people down 55 00:01:46,472 --> 00:01:47,669 What was going through his mind 56 00:01:48,313 --> 00:01:49,430 Was he saving Brother Song 57 00:01:50,020 --> 00:01:50,820 No 58 00:01:51,233 --> 00:01:54,090 He was enjoying the act of killing itself 59 00:01:54,632 --> 00:01:57,730 His anger no longer needed a specific target 60 00:01:58,032 --> 00:01:59,310 As long as he had an axe 61 00:01:59,552 --> 00:02:00,969 As long as there was someone to strike 62 00:02:01,153 --> 00:02:02,490 He could not stop 63 00:02:03,316 --> 00:02:03,794 The second 64 00:02:03,916 --> 00:02:04,654 Wu Song 65 00:02:05,077 --> 00:02:06,313 Wu Song avenged his brother 66 00:02:06,676 --> 00:02:08,453 By killing Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing 67 00:02:08,637 --> 00:02:10,373 You could call that righteous 68 00:02:10,916 --> 00:02:11,713 But what happened next 69 00:02:12,236 --> 00:02:13,493 The bloodbath at Mandarin Ducks Tower 70 00:02:14,036 --> 00:02:17,773 That night his targets were Zhang Dujian and Jiang Menshen 71 00:02:18,157 --> 00:02:19,613 But once he charged inside 72 00:02:19,717 --> 00:02:22,155 He encountered maids and servants along the way 73 00:02:22,157 --> 00:02:23,453 And killed them too 74 00:02:23,916 --> 00:02:26,613 They had nothing to do with his feud 75 00:02:26,796 --> 00:02:29,373 Many died without knowing what was happening 76 00:02:29,717 --> 00:02:30,993 Why did he kill them 77 00:02:31,557 --> 00:02:32,653 There was no reason 78 00:02:32,796 --> 00:02:36,294 By then his anger had completely engulfed him 79 00:02:36,597 --> 00:02:37,676 After the killing 80 00:02:37,677 --> 00:02:40,333 He dipped his hand in blood and wrote eight characters 81 00:02:40,516 --> 00:02:42,773 The killer is Wu Song the tiger slayer 82 00:02:43,036 --> 00:02:43,873 That was not a signature 83 00:02:44,117 --> 00:02:45,173 It was an outburst 84 00:02:46,032 --> 00:02:46,629 The third 85 00:02:46,951 --> 00:02:47,689 Song Jiang 86 00:02:48,152 --> 00:02:49,689 Song Jiang killed Yan Poxi 87 00:02:49,751 --> 00:02:53,310 Because she found his letter to Mount Liang 88 00:02:53,312 --> 00:02:54,169 And used it to blackmail him 89 00:02:54,511 --> 00:02:56,928 In a fit of rage Song Jiang drew his blade and killed her 90 00:02:57,312 --> 00:02:58,928 It was not righteous indignation 91 00:02:59,032 --> 00:03:00,969 It came from fear and anger 92 00:03:01,392 --> 00:03:02,108 After killing her 93 00:03:02,432 --> 00:03:03,928 He barely reflected on it 94 00:03:04,272 --> 00:03:06,569 Instead it became a turning point 95 00:03:06,592 --> 00:03:08,088 That pushed him toward Mount Liang 96 00:03:08,671 --> 00:03:09,349 From that moment on 97 00:03:09,671 --> 00:03:12,088 He began using the words justice on behalf of Heaven 98 00:03:12,152 --> 00:03:15,808 As the perfect outlet for all their violence 99 00:03:16,691 --> 00:03:17,869 Do you see it 100 00:03:17,931 --> 00:03:20,029 These three men share one trait 101 00:03:20,332 --> 00:03:21,388 Their violence 102 00:03:21,411 --> 00:03:23,828 Always began through a seemingly justified entrance 103 00:03:24,172 --> 00:03:25,488 Li Kui was saving his brother 104 00:03:26,012 --> 00:03:27,508 Wu Song was taking revenge 105 00:03:27,772 --> 00:03:29,909 Song Jiang had been driven into a corner 106 00:03:30,411 --> 00:03:32,189 But once they crossed that entrance 107 00:03:32,371 --> 00:03:33,709 The violence escaped control 108 00:03:33,971 --> 00:03:34,969 It was no longer a means 109 00:03:35,452 --> 00:03:36,988 It became a form of release 110 00:03:37,572 --> 00:03:38,448 After the killing 111 00:03:38,852 --> 00:03:40,149 None of them thought it was wrong 112 00:03:40,531 --> 00:03:42,309 Each believed he was justified 113 00:03:42,691 --> 00:03:44,909 That is the most frightening thing about hatred 114 00:03:45,332 --> 00:03:46,409 It never says 115 00:03:46,852 --> 00:03:47,909 I am hatred 116 00:03:48,251 --> 00:03:49,209 Whenever it appears 117 00:03:49,572 --> 00:03:51,508 It wears a beautiful coat 118 00:03:51,892 --> 00:03:52,969 And the name of that coat 119 00:03:53,292 --> 00:03:54,348 Is justice 120 00:03:54,828 --> 00:03:56,324 Buddhism speaks of the three poisons 121 00:03:56,507 --> 00:03:58,005 Greed hatred and delusion 122 00:03:58,387 --> 00:03:59,304 Greed means wanting 123 00:03:59,787 --> 00:04:01,065 Delusion means failing to see clearly 124 00:04:01,507 --> 00:04:02,264 What is hatred 125 00:04:02,627 --> 00:04:04,084 Hatred means I will not allow it 126 00:04:04,268 --> 00:04:06,044 I will not allow this to happen 127 00:04:06,107 --> 00:04:07,964 I will not allow you to treat me this way 128 00:04:07,988 --> 00:04:10,364 I will not allow the world to be wrong 129 00:04:10,588 --> 00:04:11,424 Think about it carefully 130 00:04:11,868 --> 00:04:13,466 Li Kui hacking through the crowd 131 00:04:13,468 --> 00:04:14,584 Wu Song leaving no one alive 132 00:04:15,067 --> 00:04:16,204 And the blade in Song Jiang hand 133 00:04:16,347 --> 00:04:17,864 Were they not all saying I will not allow it 134 00:04:18,925 --> 00:04:20,562 But the greatest power of hatred 135 00:04:20,884 --> 00:04:22,182 Is not that it makes you angry 136 00:04:22,605 --> 00:04:23,562 It is that it convinces you 137 00:04:23,884 --> 00:04:25,341 That your anger is right 138 00:04:25,685 --> 00:04:26,762 You think you are not venting 139 00:04:27,285 --> 00:04:28,942 You think you are upholding justice 140 00:04:29,324 --> 00:04:30,942 Once you believe that 141 00:04:30,964 --> 00:04:32,822 You can never stop 142 00:04:33,125 --> 00:04:35,822 Because the world will always contain injustice 143 00:04:36,245 --> 00:04:38,461 You can always find another reason 144 00:04:38,786 --> 00:04:40,984 Look at the 108 people of Mount Liang 145 00:04:40,986 --> 00:04:43,123 Each had a reason to go up the mountain 146 00:04:43,546 --> 00:04:44,142 Some were forced there 147 00:04:44,505 --> 00:04:45,183 Some were falsely accused 148 00:04:45,385 --> 00:04:46,563 Some could no longer tolerate what they saw 149 00:04:46,945 --> 00:04:48,222 But what happened after they arrived 150 00:04:48,905 --> 00:04:50,262 Did anyone think of stopping 151 00:04:50,794 --> 00:04:51,594 No 152 00:04:51,866 --> 00:04:54,602 Once the banner of justice on behalf of Heaven was raised 153 00:04:54,746 --> 00:04:56,883 Every killing acquired meaning 154 00:04:57,306 --> 00:05:00,642 No one needed to find a separate reason anymore 155 00:05:00,945 --> 00:05:02,962 The banner itself became the reason 156 00:05:03,505 --> 00:05:05,443 That is hatred made collective 157 00:05:05,866 --> 00:05:07,563 One person anger eventually burns out 158 00:05:07,705 --> 00:05:10,152 The anger of a crowd can burn for a lifetime 159 00:05:10,376 --> 00:05:10,732 Now 160 00:05:11,015 --> 00:05:12,712 Let us turn to Lu Zhishen 161 00:05:13,095 --> 00:05:14,815 When Lu Zhishen first appears 162 00:05:14,816 --> 00:05:16,712 He is in a tavern in Weizhou 163 00:05:17,056 --> 00:05:18,013 He is drinking 164 00:05:18,496 --> 00:05:20,393 When he hears someone crying next door 165 00:05:20,816 --> 00:05:21,993 He asks what happened 166 00:05:22,095 --> 00:05:24,753 And meets Old Jin and his daughter Jin Cuilian 167 00:05:25,296 --> 00:05:29,112 A local thug named Zheng Tu had taken Jin Cuilian by force 168 00:05:29,215 --> 00:05:30,513 She wanted to leave but could not 169 00:05:30,655 --> 00:05:32,193 So father and daughter sat there crying 170 00:05:32,736 --> 00:05:33,412 The moment Lu Da heard this 171 00:05:33,816 --> 00:05:35,032 His anger flared 172 00:05:35,296 --> 00:05:36,092 But notice this 173 00:05:36,535 --> 00:05:37,753 The anger in Lu Da 174 00:05:37,856 --> 00:05:40,832 Was different from the anger in Li Kui and Wu Song 175 00:05:41,256 --> 00:05:44,313 The Jin family were complete strangers to him 176 00:05:44,616 --> 00:05:47,232 Their suffering had nothing to do with him 177 00:05:47,416 --> 00:05:48,412 He had no personal feud 178 00:05:48,895 --> 00:05:49,912 No private resentment 179 00:05:50,095 --> 00:05:51,993 And no wounded pride 180 00:05:52,335 --> 00:05:53,792 He simply could not stand by 181 00:05:54,776 --> 00:05:56,632 The next day he went to confront Zheng Tu 182 00:05:56,776 --> 00:05:58,673 And killed the Butcher of the West with three punches 183 00:05:58,935 --> 00:06:00,332 How did he react afterward 184 00:06:00,896 --> 00:06:02,913 He did not keep hacking like Li Kui 185 00:06:02,976 --> 00:06:06,392 Nor did he kill everyone and leave his name like Wu Song 186 00:06:06,695 --> 00:06:08,432 When he saw that Zheng Tu was not moving 187 00:06:08,456 --> 00:06:10,673 His expression changed at once 188 00:06:10,935 --> 00:06:12,853 He knew the man was dead 189 00:06:13,255 --> 00:06:14,432 But out loud he said 190 00:06:14,495 --> 00:06:15,533 You scoundrel are pretending to be dead 191 00:06:15,815 --> 00:06:16,832 I will hit you again 192 00:06:17,135 --> 00:06:18,212 Then he kept cursing 193 00:06:18,336 --> 00:06:19,752 As he hurried away 194 00:06:20,055 --> 00:06:22,033 The book records what he muttered to himself 195 00:06:22,096 --> 00:06:24,312 I only meant to give that brute a beating 196 00:06:24,416 --> 00:06:26,752 I never expected three punches to kill him 197 00:06:27,016 --> 00:06:28,733 Of course he also feared prosecution 198 00:06:29,016 --> 00:06:30,432 So he fled quickly 199 00:06:30,815 --> 00:06:32,012 But pay attention to the first half 200 00:06:32,536 --> 00:06:33,952 He only meant to beat him 201 00:06:33,976 --> 00:06:35,192 He did not intend to take a life 202 00:06:35,575 --> 00:06:37,153 He knew he had gone too far 203 00:06:37,910 --> 00:06:39,287 That point matters enormously 204 00:06:39,390 --> 00:06:41,366 Li Kui felt no excess after killing 205 00:06:41,390 --> 00:06:43,326 Wu Song felt exhilarated after killing 206 00:06:43,390 --> 00:06:45,847 Song Jiang felt his killing was necessary 207 00:06:45,989 --> 00:06:46,667 Only Lu Da 208 00:06:46,989 --> 00:06:48,148 After striking someone down 209 00:06:48,150 --> 00:06:49,926 Heard something ringing inside him 210 00:06:50,030 --> 00:06:52,006 It was more than fear 211 00:06:52,109 --> 00:06:54,047 It was a dim awareness 212 00:06:54,229 --> 00:06:56,222 That he had crossed a line 213 00:06:56,525 --> 00:06:58,321 Later Lu Da became a monk 214 00:06:58,725 --> 00:06:59,821 And went to Mount Wutai 215 00:06:59,965 --> 00:07:01,141 Where he received the name Zhishen 216 00:07:01,525 --> 00:07:03,182 When Elder Zhizhen accepted him 217 00:07:03,285 --> 00:07:05,222 Every monk in the temple objected 218 00:07:05,364 --> 00:07:07,884 This man is full of murderous energy and looks so fierce 219 00:07:07,884 --> 00:07:08,682 How can he become a monk 220 00:07:09,364 --> 00:07:11,061 Elder Zhizhen took one look at him 221 00:07:11,124 --> 00:07:13,083 And said that although he looked rough 222 00:07:13,085 --> 00:07:14,362 His heart was upright 223 00:07:14,645 --> 00:07:16,261 And one day he would attain fulfillment 224 00:07:16,764 --> 00:07:17,441 Many years later 225 00:07:17,684 --> 00:07:18,924 Before the campaign against Fang La 226 00:07:18,924 --> 00:07:21,341 Song Jiang and the brothers returned to Mount Wutai 227 00:07:21,564 --> 00:07:24,222 Elder Zhizhen gave Lu Zhishen another verse 228 00:07:24,324 --> 00:07:25,222 Sixteen characters 229 00:07:25,564 --> 00:07:26,401 In summer you will capture 230 00:07:26,764 --> 00:07:27,862 At year end you will seize 231 00:07:28,165 --> 00:07:29,001 On hearing the tide you will be complete 232 00:07:29,444 --> 00:07:30,581 On seeing the message you will enter stillness 233 00:07:31,285 --> 00:07:33,701 Lu Zhishen understood none of those sixteen characters 234 00:07:33,884 --> 00:07:35,162 But he kept them in his heart 235 00:07:35,364 --> 00:07:36,862 And carried them all the way south 236 00:07:37,435 --> 00:07:39,293 You probably know what happened afterward 237 00:07:39,356 --> 00:07:41,332 He drank and caused chaos at Mount Wutai 238 00:07:41,356 --> 00:07:44,572 Damaging the hillside pavilions and temple guardians 239 00:07:44,596 --> 00:07:46,252 And was sent to Daxiangguo Temple 240 00:07:46,435 --> 00:07:48,652 In the vegetable garden he uprooted a willow tree 241 00:07:48,836 --> 00:07:51,853 Later he saved Lin Chong in Wild Boar Forest 242 00:07:51,875 --> 00:07:53,885 That episode deserves a closer look 243 00:07:54,107 --> 00:07:55,765 Lin Chong was being exiled to Cangzhou 244 00:07:55,907 --> 00:07:59,325 The two guards planned to kill him in Wild Boar Forest 245 00:07:59,547 --> 00:08:01,386 Lin Chong had already been tied to a tree 246 00:08:01,388 --> 00:08:03,564 Just as the clubs were about to fall 247 00:08:03,587 --> 00:08:05,667 Lu Zhishen leapt out from behind a tree 248 00:08:05,667 --> 00:08:07,645 And knocked the club away with his staff 249 00:08:07,787 --> 00:08:09,285 He had not simply passed by 250 00:08:09,308 --> 00:08:11,044 He had followed them for days 251 00:08:11,308 --> 00:08:13,285 All the way from the capital to Wild Boar Forest 252 00:08:13,347 --> 00:08:15,364 Just to make sure Lin Chong was safe 253 00:08:15,587 --> 00:08:16,924 Think about what that means 254 00:08:17,068 --> 00:08:18,145 Lin Chong was his friend 255 00:08:18,547 --> 00:08:19,604 That is true 256 00:08:19,907 --> 00:08:21,564 But Lu Zhishen did not save him 257 00:08:21,587 --> 00:08:23,325 To collect a favor 258 00:08:23,388 --> 00:08:25,205 Or for any personal gain 259 00:08:25,427 --> 00:08:27,965 He simply could not stand seeing his friend ambushed 260 00:08:28,308 --> 00:08:29,306 After the rescue 261 00:08:29,308 --> 00:08:31,804 He never asked Lin Chong to remember the favor 262 00:08:32,708 --> 00:08:34,645 He left once his friend was safe 263 00:08:35,505 --> 00:08:36,582 He later went to Mount Twin Dragons 264 00:08:36,905 --> 00:08:38,243 And eventually joined Mount Liang 265 00:08:38,306 --> 00:08:40,243 Fighting campaigns alongside his brothers 266 00:08:40,666 --> 00:08:41,662 He took part in plenty of violence 267 00:08:41,945 --> 00:08:43,162 And killed many people too 268 00:08:43,625 --> 00:08:45,243 Yet there was one thing 269 00:08:45,465 --> 00:08:47,763 That always made him different 270 00:08:48,345 --> 00:08:50,162 From beginning to end Lu Zhishen 271 00:08:50,186 --> 00:08:53,642 Never dressed his violence in the coat of justice 272 00:08:54,105 --> 00:08:55,383 He never invoked justice on behalf of Heaven 273 00:08:55,705 --> 00:08:57,282 Never claimed vengeance for a brother 274 00:08:57,465 --> 00:08:59,162 And never said they deserved it 275 00:08:59,585 --> 00:09:01,162 If he could not stand something he struck 276 00:09:01,306 --> 00:09:03,763 But never imagined that made him noble 277 00:09:04,506 --> 00:09:06,103 That may seem like a small difference 278 00:09:06,625 --> 00:09:07,825 But in Buddhism 279 00:09:07,825 --> 00:09:09,282 It is an enormous distinction 280 00:09:10,172 --> 00:09:12,349 A passage in the Upasaka Precepts Sutra 281 00:09:12,532 --> 00:09:15,989 Explains who can perfect the patience paramita 282 00:09:16,371 --> 00:09:16,928 The sutra says 283 00:09:17,412 --> 00:09:19,589 Even when beings inflict great harm 284 00:09:19,652 --> 00:09:21,788 Do not give rise to a single thought of hatred 285 00:09:22,011 --> 00:09:22,808 And never repay evil with evil 286 00:09:23,172 --> 00:09:24,089 If they return in remorse 287 00:09:24,412 --> 00:09:25,668 Accept them immediately 288 00:09:26,052 --> 00:09:27,349 It then adds another line 289 00:09:27,572 --> 00:09:31,948 See deeply that hatred causes immeasurable future suffering 290 00:09:32,211 --> 00:09:33,589 Listen carefully to that 291 00:09:33,971 --> 00:09:36,730 Even when someone treats you with the greatest malice 292 00:09:36,731 --> 00:09:38,668 Do not give rise to a single thought of hatred 293 00:09:38,932 --> 00:09:39,769 This is not suppression 294 00:09:40,131 --> 00:09:41,229 And not mere endurance 295 00:09:41,292 --> 00:09:43,188 The thought itself never arises 296 00:09:43,572 --> 00:09:45,749 The sutra immediately explains why 297 00:09:46,532 --> 00:09:48,989 Hatred is the seed of future suffering 298 00:09:49,172 --> 00:09:51,469 Plant one thought of hatred today 299 00:09:51,491 --> 00:09:54,701 And it will grow into immeasurable suffering 300 00:09:55,124 --> 00:09:58,180 This is the opposite of the heroes logic 301 00:09:58,443 --> 00:09:59,520 Their logic says 302 00:09:59,924 --> 00:10:01,242 He hurt me first 303 00:10:01,244 --> 00:10:03,020 So I am allowed to hurt him 304 00:10:03,483 --> 00:10:04,361 The Buddhist teaching says 305 00:10:04,803 --> 00:10:06,221 No matter what he has done 306 00:10:06,284 --> 00:10:09,741 The hatred in your own mind is what truly harms you 307 00:10:10,284 --> 00:10:11,640 Someone outside strikes you once 308 00:10:11,924 --> 00:10:12,981 And you hurt once 309 00:10:13,124 --> 00:10:14,680 But when hatred arises within you 310 00:10:15,044 --> 00:10:15,861 That pain 311 00:10:15,963 --> 00:10:18,305 Can follow you for a very long time 312 00:10:18,807 --> 00:10:21,446 The forty fascicle Flower Garland Sutra 313 00:10:21,448 --> 00:10:22,446 Contains another passage 314 00:10:22,448 --> 00:10:23,744 That goes even further 315 00:10:24,007 --> 00:10:24,604 The sutra says 316 00:10:24,848 --> 00:10:25,967 As I understand it 317 00:10:25,968 --> 00:10:28,224 I would rather suffer endlessly in the Avici hell 318 00:10:28,247 --> 00:10:30,185 Than raise a single thought of hatred 319 00:10:30,287 --> 00:10:33,785 Toward even a tiny mosquito or ant 320 00:10:33,848 --> 00:10:35,905 Much less commit such harmful acts 321 00:10:36,195 --> 00:10:36,645 What does that mean 322 00:10:37,328 --> 00:10:40,127 It means choosing endless suffering in Avici hell 323 00:10:40,127 --> 00:10:41,767 Rather than wishing harm upon an ant 324 00:10:41,767 --> 00:10:44,265 Or even a mosquito 325 00:10:44,448 --> 00:10:45,645 This is not a moral command 326 00:10:45,927 --> 00:10:47,647 It is not saying you must achieve it 327 00:10:47,647 --> 00:10:50,385 It is radical clarity about the consequences of hatred 328 00:10:50,608 --> 00:10:51,324 The sutra is asking 329 00:10:51,688 --> 00:10:54,025 Do you understand this thing called hatred 330 00:10:54,127 --> 00:10:55,084 And how vast its consequences are 331 00:10:55,624 --> 00:10:56,721 Now back to Lu Zhishen 332 00:10:57,103 --> 00:10:58,020 After the campaign against Fang La 333 00:10:58,504 --> 00:10:59,920 The army reached Hangzhou 334 00:11:00,024 --> 00:11:01,920 And Lu Zhishen stayed at Liuhe Temple 335 00:11:02,223 --> 00:11:02,981 One night 336 00:11:03,343 --> 00:11:05,640 The tide surged up the Qiantang River 337 00:11:06,024 --> 00:11:07,741 Its roar shook the sky 338 00:11:08,183 --> 00:11:09,361 Rumbling without end 339 00:11:09,664 --> 00:11:11,881 Lu Zhishen had never heard anything like it 340 00:11:11,904 --> 00:11:13,241 He thought a battle had begun 341 00:11:13,384 --> 00:11:15,481 And grabbed his staff to rush outside 342 00:11:15,904 --> 00:11:17,741 The monks hurried to stop him and said 343 00:11:18,183 --> 00:11:18,823 Master 344 00:11:18,823 --> 00:11:19,701 Those are not war drums 345 00:11:20,024 --> 00:11:21,881 That is the Qiantang tidal bore 346 00:11:22,597 --> 00:11:23,414 The tide message 347 00:11:23,917 --> 00:11:25,494 Lu Zhishen froze 348 00:11:25,597 --> 00:11:28,853 He suddenly remembered Elder Zhizhen verse 349 00:11:29,317 --> 00:11:30,274 On hearing the tide you will be complete 350 00:11:30,597 --> 00:11:31,853 On seeing the message you will enter stillness 351 00:11:32,276 --> 00:11:33,874 So those words meant this very place 352 00:11:34,396 --> 00:11:35,614 And this very day 353 00:11:36,036 --> 00:11:38,933 The tide had not come to teach him a lesson 354 00:11:38,996 --> 00:11:40,576 It had come to receive him 355 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:41,917 He bathed and changed his clothes 356 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:43,696 Then sat upright on the meditation couch 357 00:11:44,040 --> 00:11:46,137 And wrote his final lines 358 00:11:46,680 --> 00:11:48,037 All my life I cultivated no good fruit 359 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:50,056 I only loved killing and setting fires 360 00:11:50,519 --> 00:11:51,877 Suddenly the golden rope breaks open 361 00:11:52,359 --> 00:11:54,017 And here the jade lock is torn apart 362 00:11:54,167 --> 00:11:54,517 Ah 363 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:56,556 The tidal message comes upon the Qiantang River 364 00:11:56,999 --> 00:11:58,897 Only today do I know who I am 365 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:01,096 Only today do I know who I am 366 00:12:01,779 --> 00:12:03,157 Sit with those words for a moment 367 00:12:03,539 --> 00:12:06,476 He did not say today I know the Buddha is Buddha 368 00:12:06,859 --> 00:12:09,236 He did not say today I know good is good 369 00:12:09,539 --> 00:12:12,277 Nor today I know wrong is wrong 370 00:12:12,979 --> 00:12:13,657 What he said was 371 00:12:13,979 --> 00:12:16,117 At last I know who I am 372 00:12:16,539 --> 00:12:17,997 Among the one hundred and eight 373 00:12:18,139 --> 00:12:22,277 Most died believing they were heroes and righteous men 374 00:12:22,619 --> 00:12:24,836 They never questioned that self 375 00:12:25,379 --> 00:12:27,517 Li Kui saw himself as a loyal man 376 00:12:27,659 --> 00:12:30,316 Wu Song saw himself as a hero of fearless revenge 377 00:12:30,539 --> 00:12:33,236 Song Jiang saw himself as the leader of Heavenly justice 378 00:12:33,460 --> 00:12:35,677 Each carried a self inside his mind 379 00:12:35,899 --> 00:12:37,619 A self fed by loyalty 380 00:12:37,619 --> 00:12:38,657 Fattened by anger 381 00:12:39,019 --> 00:12:41,196 And wrapped tightly in hatred 382 00:12:41,739 --> 00:12:44,356 They spent their lives defending that self 383 00:12:44,659 --> 00:12:46,316 Without ever looking inside 384 00:12:46,340 --> 00:12:48,797 To see what that self actually contained 385 00:12:49,180 --> 00:12:50,017 Only Lu Zhishen 386 00:12:50,539 --> 00:12:52,117 At the final moment of his life 387 00:12:52,259 --> 00:12:54,397 Set down every layer of packaging 388 00:12:54,820 --> 00:12:56,677 He did not call himself a good man 389 00:12:56,820 --> 00:12:58,436 Nor did he call himself a bad man 390 00:12:58,940 --> 00:12:59,497 He had killed 391 00:12:59,820 --> 00:13:00,417 He had set fires 392 00:13:00,779 --> 00:13:02,196 He had done all those things 393 00:13:02,499 --> 00:13:04,236 But none of them was who he was 394 00:13:04,940 --> 00:13:06,757 Only today do I know who I am 395 00:13:07,180 --> 00:13:09,328 That is true awakening 396 00:13:09,712 --> 00:13:10,751 Sometimes I feel 397 00:13:10,751 --> 00:13:13,649 This story is completely relevant today 398 00:13:13,952 --> 00:13:15,129 Look at the internet 399 00:13:15,192 --> 00:13:17,289 Every day people uphold justice on behalf of Heaven 400 00:13:17,672 --> 00:13:18,910 The moment a news story appears 401 00:13:18,911 --> 00:13:20,968 The comments fill with judges 402 00:13:21,192 --> 00:13:22,889 Everyone burns with righteous anger 403 00:13:22,991 --> 00:13:25,129 Everyone believes they represent justice 404 00:13:25,432 --> 00:13:27,550 You repost an angry message 405 00:13:27,552 --> 00:13:29,608 You type out a denunciation 406 00:13:29,712 --> 00:13:32,369 And in that moment you feel you are defending justice 407 00:13:32,672 --> 00:13:34,448 But if you calm down and look again 408 00:13:34,791 --> 00:13:36,390 What is the force that makes your fingers tremble 409 00:13:36,391 --> 00:13:38,728 And compels you to type those words 410 00:13:38,751 --> 00:13:39,629 Is it really justice 411 00:13:39,911 --> 00:13:40,588 Or is it anger 412 00:13:41,231 --> 00:13:42,889 If you truly ask yourself that question 413 00:13:43,072 --> 00:13:44,728 The answer may be hard to find 414 00:13:45,751 --> 00:13:48,249 Because hatred never introduces itself 415 00:13:48,552 --> 00:13:49,669 Whenever it appears 416 00:13:49,911 --> 00:13:51,549 It wears the clothes of justice 417 00:13:51,813 --> 00:13:54,910 When I discussed Investiture of the Gods I said 418 00:13:55,132 --> 00:13:56,612 Everyone acts on behalf of Heaven 419 00:13:56,612 --> 00:13:58,069 And everyone creates karma 420 00:13:58,372 --> 00:14:00,429 Water Margin tells the same story 421 00:14:00,492 --> 00:14:02,750 Only more cruelly than Investiture of the Gods 422 00:14:02,933 --> 00:14:04,990 It shows you one person after another 423 00:14:05,012 --> 00:14:06,750 Those with the strongest sense of justice 424 00:14:06,772 --> 00:14:09,150 Are often those burning with the fiercest hatred 425 00:14:09,293 --> 00:14:10,169 The stronger the sense of justice 426 00:14:10,533 --> 00:14:11,990 The deeper the hatred hides 427 00:14:12,132 --> 00:14:13,910 And the harder it becomes to see 428 00:14:14,212 --> 00:14:17,150 Whenever I read Lu Zhishen words about knowing himself 429 00:14:17,212 --> 00:14:19,350 I always stop for a moment 430 00:14:19,533 --> 00:14:21,669 Because they offer no doctrine 431 00:14:21,732 --> 00:14:23,972 They show one person at his final moment 432 00:14:23,972 --> 00:14:25,454 Finally seeing himself 433 00:14:25,917 --> 00:14:27,734 So let us return to the opening question 434 00:14:28,037 --> 00:14:29,515 Why among all one hundred and eight men 435 00:14:29,838 --> 00:14:30,916 Was the roughest one 436 00:14:30,917 --> 00:14:32,357 The one who broke every monastic rule 437 00:14:32,358 --> 00:14:35,094 The tattooed monk who freely drank and ate meat 438 00:14:35,237 --> 00:14:36,834 The only one who awakened 439 00:14:37,438 --> 00:14:38,435 Perhaps the answer is simple 440 00:14:38,877 --> 00:14:39,734 He never pretended 441 00:14:40,198 --> 00:14:43,494 He never disguised his anger as justice 442 00:14:43,917 --> 00:14:44,354 He was rough 443 00:14:44,797 --> 00:14:45,234 He was reckless 444 00:14:45,678 --> 00:14:47,295 And struck whenever he could not stand something 445 00:14:47,637 --> 00:14:50,334 But because he never dressed hatred in fine clothes 446 00:14:50,558 --> 00:14:52,295 Between himself and his anger 447 00:14:52,438 --> 00:14:55,094 There always remained a thin distance 448 00:14:55,598 --> 00:14:57,275 That distance was as thin as paper 449 00:14:57,838 --> 00:14:59,214 But it was always there 450 00:14:59,757 --> 00:15:01,875 What about the heroes upholding Heavenly justice 451 00:15:02,438 --> 00:15:05,814 Their hatred was wrapped tightly in loyalty 452 00:15:06,117 --> 00:15:08,214 Until even they could no longer see it 453 00:15:08,958 --> 00:15:10,255 What you cannot see 454 00:15:10,277 --> 00:15:12,500 You can never let go 455 00:15:12,844 --> 00:15:13,980 Now think about yourself 456 00:15:14,283 --> 00:15:15,480 The last time you became angry 457 00:15:15,964 --> 00:15:17,500 Were you simply angry 458 00:15:17,563 --> 00:15:19,880 Or angry because you believed you were right 459 00:15:20,604 --> 00:15:22,403 If you believed you were right 460 00:15:22,403 --> 00:15:25,421 Then your hatred was already wearing the coat of justice 461 00:15:25,604 --> 00:15:27,301 And it may stay with you for a long time 462 00:15:27,683 --> 00:15:29,701 The energy of anger is not itself the problem 463 00:15:30,124 --> 00:15:33,581 The problem begins when I am right hijacks it 464 00:15:33,604 --> 00:15:35,941 Then it stops being a warning signal 465 00:15:36,323 --> 00:15:38,140 And becomes an engine 466 00:15:38,563 --> 00:15:40,500 You think you are driving it 467 00:15:40,764 --> 00:15:43,086 But it is actually driving you 468 00:15:43,349 --> 00:15:45,086 The next time you feel anger 469 00:15:45,229 --> 00:15:46,566 Try pausing for one second 470 00:15:46,869 --> 00:15:47,665 And ask yourself 471 00:15:47,989 --> 00:15:49,788 Am I really acting justly 472 00:15:49,788 --> 00:15:51,586 Or am I being driven by hatred 473 00:15:52,068 --> 00:15:53,566 Anyone who can ask that question 474 00:15:53,588 --> 00:15:56,245 Is already closer to clarity than most heroes 475 00:15:56,308 --> 00:15:58,399 Who gathered on Mount Liang 476 00:15:58,926 --> 00:16:00,729 What do you think of Lu Zhishen 477 00:16:01,295 --> 00:16:03,682 What do you think separates him 478 00:16:03,745 --> 00:16:06,150 Most fundamentally from the other heroes 479 00:16:06,675 --> 00:16:08,660 I would love to hear your thoughts 480 00:16:08,924 --> 00:16:09,643 I am Leo Wang 481 00:16:10,009 --> 00:16:10,931 See you next time