The Function and Significance of Xizhang

The west palm, as one of the eighteen objects of a bhikkhu, is a prop that the bhikkhu should carry when walking. In the Zen forest, Zhang Xi has certain functions and expressive significance.

The name "Zhang Xi" comes from the "ding ding" sound when Zhang Xi vibrates. Xizhang is also known as the wisdom staff and virtue staff. Zhang Xijing said: "The Buddha told the monks: You should accept Zhang Xi, so what?" In the past and in the future, all Buddhas are insisting on their own truth. Also known as the wisdom staff, it shows saints and wisdom. Also known as the staff of virtue, it is reasonable to do merit. The symbol of saints, the memory of wise men, and the establishment of Taoism. 」

As for the reason why a monk sticks to Zhang Xi, "The Three Thousand Commandments of the Great Monk" says: "One is due to snakes and insects, the other is due to old age, and the third is due to separation. As for Zhang Xi's role in repelling snakes, poisonous insects and other things, he said in Volume 52 of "Four Points": "Monks are monks, and before they leave the Buddha, they are afraid to see snakes, scorpions, centipedes and hundred feet. The Buddha said,' Listen, grab Zhang Xi and shake it.' It means that when the Buddha was alive, he saw snakes, scorpions, poisonous insects and so on. When a monk was walking on the road, he was frightened, and even a monk was bitten, so the Buddha said that he should be a noisy doctor.

Happy chapter can also be used as a support for the elderly, the weak and the sick. Xizhang also has a vigilant benefactor to defend himself. For example, "Miscellaneous Affairs in Penie" said: "Begging for food into people's homes, sitting quietly and being alert, punching the door leaves, people ask strange questions. Buddha said,' It should be Zhang Xi.' The Buddha couldn't understand it. He said, "The head of the staff is fixed in a patent, as round as a lamp, and there is a small ring fixed." Shake it and stay alert. The dog barked and hit him everywhere. The Buddha said,' Dogs should not be killed with a stick, but kept in horror'. Sometimes there are bad dogs, and sometimes there are angry dramas. Buddha said,' Take a portion of rice and throw it on the ground to make food.' I don't trust my family. I feel tired after shaking tin for a long time, but there is nothing wrong with my family. Buddha said:' Don't shake it for a long time, shake it two or three times. You must go when no one asks. ' 」

From the above scripture, we can see that Zhang Xi was established not only to drive away pests or help the elderly, but also to remind donors when monks begged for food. The Buddhist scriptures specifically point out that Zhang Xi can also be used to defend himself and scare dogs when monks beg, but Zhang Xi should not be used to beat dogs. If the barking of the dog intensifies, you can give the dog food from the alms bowl. The danger of barking can be solved.

Xi Zhang usually consists of tin, wooden handle and two or three parts. Tin is the head of a staff, shaped like a pagoda, with a big ring and several small rings hanging. When it is shaken, it makes a "tin-tin" sound, so Zhang Xi is also called a sounding stick.

When ancient monks went to various places to study, they must hold Zhang Xi in their hands, so they were called flying tin and patrolling tin in the Zen forest. The famous flying tin story of Yin Feng Zen master is recorded in Jingdezhen Deng Chuanzhi. Zen master Yinfeng lives in Heng Yue in winter and in Liang Qing in summer. During the Tang Yuanhe period (806-820), when the Zen master climbed Wutai Mountain out of Huaixi, he happened to meet Wu Yuanji, who refused to obey the king's orders. The loyalist and the thief fought, and the outcome was undecided. The Zen master thought, "I should remove its evil." "Hidden peak Jackson then threw tin into the air and flew over the two armies. When soldiers on both sides saw Jackson flying in the air, they all opened their mouths in surprise and their fighting hearts were extinguished. After displaying his magical powers, Zen master Yinfeng was worried that he might confuse people with magical powers, so he came to Wutai Mountain and disappeared in front of King Kong Cave. In addition, in the ancient Zen forest, if a monk stopped at a place, it was called "hanging tin".

In the ancient Zen forest, Zhang Xi was often used as the assistant of the Zen master seeking dharma and enlightenment. "Six Ancestors' Magic Weapon Tanjing" said: "Master Yongjia Xuanjue came to participate, circled the division three times, and shook the tin. "Xuanjue Jackson visited the sixth ancestor Hui Neng Jackson, turned three times around the Jackson, and then took Zhang Xi Zhuo Di. Master Huineng said, "Being a husband of a Samana has 3,000 dignity and 80,000 fine lines. Where does virtue come from, and I grow slowly? Xuanjue said, "Life and death are great, but impermanence is quick." Huineng said, "Why not take no life and no speed? Xuanjue replied: "There is no life in the body, and there is no speed when it is lost." Hui Neng said, "Yes! If so! " Xuanzang realized the words under the Tao, bowed with dignity, and then left for the time being. Zen master Huineng stayed for one night, so it was called "one-night sleep". Xuanjue showed Huineng his understanding of Zen with Zhang Xi's wonderful movements and tried to find out how Huineng enlightened him. After being confirmed by Master Huineng, Xuanjue was completely convinced.

According to the different shapes, it also symbolizes different meanings. "Zhang Xijing" said: Zhang Xi has three precepts, which represent remembering three hardships, and then practicing precepts, determination and wisdom; Missed the three disasters of old age, illness and death, and got rid of the three poisons of greed, anger and ignorance. Four stranded people are to break the cycle of four births (viviparous, oviparous, wet and metaplasia), or to suffer, gather and destroy the Tao.