Don’t harm flowers, plants and trees arbitrarily

One day in 1993, a farmer in his thirties from Dasi Township came to see the old monk Miaofa. Two years ago, he had a benign tumor on the esophageal wall below his throat. During the operation, a small section of the esophagus was removed and then sutured back together. However, although the incision soon healed, for some reason, a ring of granulations grew around the interface in the esophagus, blocking food. The food could not be swallowed smoothly. Although it was not painful, one had to eat liquid food bit by bit. , so I had to go to the hospital for another surgery a year later. Unexpectedly, the granulations grew again half a year later, and no more surgery was possible because the cause of the granulations was unknown.

For this reason, he was in great pain, and every time he ate, he felt like he was being tortured. He came to the old monk for advice after being introduced to him by a farmer named Zhang in the article in the previous book, “The Big Golden Rooster”.

The old monk asked him: “Have you ever chopped down a small tree? It’s about as thick as a rolling pin.” The old monk made a circle with his hand.

The farmer thought for a while and said: “I have only cut down a tree once. It was a small tree that grew in the open space outside my house. It only lasted for more than a year. I later used it to make a shovel handle. Now it is I still have this shovel. Will cutting down small trees cause tumors to grow in my esophagus?”

Although he was very confused, he had to believe that it was more than ten years ago that this small tree was cut down. How could this unknown old monk know?

The old monk said: Trees were born to benefit mankind. They are indispensable for building temples, houses, and bridges. “Ksitigarbha Sutra” points out that mountains have mountain gods, the earth has earth gods, water has water gods, and plants and trees also have spiritual gods attached to them for cultivation. Therefore, when it has not grown into timber, you cannot cut it down casually. First, it is a waste of materials. , the second is to hurt the tree god you are attached to, it will bear a grudge against you and make you sick and suffer the consequences. In the future, do not hurt trees and flowers arbitrarily. Even the weeds that should be removed should be recited a few words of “Namo Amitabha” for them. Eradicate it again, because there is much life living under the roots of the grass. In ancient times, when cultivators cut down trees, they had to inform the tree gods in advance to move them. If you can decide to be a vegetarian and recite the Ksitigarbha Sutra three times for that little tree, the sprouts that have grown may slowly disappear. Are you confident?

“Yes! Where can I buy the Ksitigarbha Sutra?”

“Go to the scripture circulation office in the temple to ask for it.”

“Thank you, Master!”