Original subtitles

Master Dharma, was a South Indian.

He was called Puti Tara,and he changed his name to Puti Dharma later.

He taught kung-fu to the Shaolin monks, so he was respected as Master.

Actually,

he specialized in preaching Zen theories of "2 Entries and 4 Practices".

It was the origin of the Chinese Buddhism.

The thoughts of Master Dharma influenced the chinese culture.

Thank God.

Granny, may I know what this place is?

To you, this is a strange place.

But even If tell you, you won't understand.

How can it be?!

This is my land, I will be the emperor of this land in the future.

Now you can't control your present situation.

Can you be sure about your future?

I suggest, you take it easy.

When will the fog vanish?

All you have seen is illusion.

But I see nothing.

Granny, what are you doing here?

I am waiting for you.

For me? I don't even know you.

But I know you.

It's not strange everyone knows I am the Prince.

Not only this.

I know your past and future too.

Future? You have just said we couldn't be sure about our future.

But I am sure about your everything.

Well, just tell me what will happen to me in the coming hours.

A great danger!

What's next?

You will be like me.

To sit for nine years.

How dare you, uttering this nonsense.

Who are you?

I am you.

Me?!

Your Highness......

Your Highness, His Majesty has got a strange sickness, he's dying.

Hurry to the palace now.

Your Highness! Wait for me. My head.

Kill him.

Kill him.

I think my father will die soon, his reign.....

He has appointed Tara to be his successor.

He will never come back.

Father......

Father......

We've no idea.

Father.......

What happened?

Why didn't you speak?

Father......

How dare you! Possessing the human body!

I have come for revenge.

He destroyed my kingdom and my famiIy.

One hour later, he will be the same as me

It's an endless cycle to kill for revenge like this.

There's only one solution.

Be merciful and forgive.

To revenge by killing will only increase your evil deed.

Wake up or else if you will fall into Hell.

Hell?!

I suggest you do away with your revengeful mind.

I will pray for you.

To head for the land of Paradise

And leave the cycle of life.

The land of Paradise!

Thank you for your advice.

Amita Buddha, Amita Buddha.

Behold

Father......

Father.....

What happened?

Nothing happened, just take a rest.

Master, father asked me to send you this pearl.

May I ask you, Your Highness.

Is there anything more valuabIe than this pearl?

The pearl can light up everything in this world.

No other treasure can be compatible with it.

Only master is worth possessing this valuable pearl.

How about you?

My brother said what is in my mind.

The light of the pearl only illuminates externally but not internally

So I think the light of wisdom is the most precious.

What is the light of wisdom?

The light of wisdom enables you to be intelligent.

And it is intelligence to differentiate right from wrong.

Which I think is formless in the world?

Everything is formless if you don't think of its form.

Which I think is highest in the world?

Human being is the highest.

What is the greatest?

The truth is the greatest.

I appreciate the gift. Please excuse me now.

Master.

Can I treat you to dinner?

That's good.

This way please.

Are you contemplating something?

No, I dare not.

Aren't you still having many things in mind while you are sitting to practise?

Let by bygones be bygones.

It's not necessary to think about the future too!

Thinking won't feed you.

Vegetables are good for health, but if you eat it everyday,

your body will be getting worse.

The ox is so strong that, it eats grass only.

The structure of ox and man is different, so they need different nutritions.

I used to eat vegetable's.

Ox and human are also having flat teeth.

It's going against natural law for men to eat meat.

How can you compare human with a beast?

I think, anything with its back facing the sky is edible.

Then, he can be eaten too.

Go out now.

Yes.

It seems that the light of your wisdom is not yet polished.

If you can concentrate,

I'm certain you can preach the Buddhism and help the needy in future.

I am different from you.

You're learned, I'm a prince, I think I can't learn Buddhism in my life.

Let fate take its own course.

Who am I before I was born?

Who am I after I was born?

Who am I before I was born?

Who am I after I was born?

Who am I?

Your Highness.

Go and tell my third brother.

I caught few pheasants.

I will drink with him tonight.

I don't know what happened to His Highness.

He eats no meat in these few months. He eats vegetable's only.

Who am I before I was born?

What's the meaning of that?

May I see Master Prajna Tara?

Yes, please come in.

Just once is OK.

Who asked you to be monk?

It was Master Kanan.

You have no initiative, can't you make your own choice?

once again.

I want to become monk myself.

You don't respect your master! How can you make your own decision?

once again.

You look innocent, but wise.

I will take you as student.

Thank you, Master.

Why do you come to be a monk?

You are not dumb! Why don"t you talk?

No answer can explain my learning heart to Buddhism.

So, I just keep my mouth shut.

OK, since you made up your mind to learn Buddhism,

go and build a stable study room to express your wish.

Weren't you scared of not going home last night?

He asked me to go.

So I didn't worry.

How dare you seduce my wife!

Who seduced your wife? It's her who seduced me.

Don't come over here.

Don't go! I have to settle it with you!

Please don't fight me. I dare not again.

Stop! Stop fighting.

I won't let you go!

Stop going!

Wait for me.

Maybe, you are not suitable to stay here, you'd better leave.

Stop sending him rice.

It's built.

Master.

It's built, why did you ruin it?

I am stupid to waste such a long time to build this study room.

You claim this is built?

In fact, it is not only built,

but it is found!

The spirit of Buddhism is in the mind.

Follow me.

The first cut, "Do away with all worldly passions".

The second cut, "Swear to study to Principles of Truth".

The thrird cut, "Swear to save all living beings".

I hereby name you Dharma.

You'll start on your journey to China only 67 years after I've passed away.

Don't rush.

The monks never work hard. They receive offerings from people all the time.

They know nothing other than the study of Buddhism.

What is Buddha? Why no one can explain that?

Stay back.....

Superstition! Stupid worship!

Quit this practice and leave the monastery!

Get them out of the monastery!

Hold it.....

You descend from the sky with such skills.

Are you good or evil?

If you can distinguish good and evil,

you will not dispel Buddhism.

You seem to be an eloquent person.

I don't know much, but I can dispel the doubts in your mind.

What is Buddha? How to see him?

Pereciving is seeing.

I still don"t understand?

Through study and understanding.

How to study and understand.

If it appears, it will take eight forms.

Which eight forms?

Feel with your mind, experience with your body.

See with your eyes, smell with your nose.

Speak with your mouth, move with your limbs.

Walk with your legs. These are not only physical sensations

but also spiritual sensations to help you understand what and where the Buddha is.

Your Majesty, do you understand?

If there is not.....

I am willing to die in front of you.

You are a learned monk.

Who is your master?

He is your third uncle, Puti Dharma.

My uncle? Isn't he dead?

Your Majesty, please pack up for me.

Fine.

Uncle, have you decided to go to China for preaching?

I should go and choose my student.

So as to let Zen grow in China.

You are too old.

The trip wouId be too hard for you.

Can you be excused from this trip?

This is my job.

Well, then I'll ask the monks of the Chinese temples to receive you.

Let fate take its own course.

Master Dharma went to China by ship.

After 3 years, he reached China in the first year of Emperor Leong Mu.

It was the Period of South and North Dynasties.

Wars happened frequently, the people were suffering.

In order to preach Buddhism and to save lives,

aIso, Master Dharma has to find his successor too.

Long Fei Temple.

How are you?

I am fine.

Buddhism was popular under the leadership of King Leong Mu.

So, his reign was quite a wealthy one.

Master Dharma from India will come to preach Buddhism here.

Tung Lin TempIe was ordered to receive him.

Our people are all believers of Buddhism.

Thus, a notice will be posted to inform all peopIe.

What happened up there?

That would be OK.

Where are you going?

Where are you going? Hurry up!

Yes, Senior.

Thank God.

Show them to have a rest.

Yes.

Please follow me.

Senior, the master and seniors of Putor Temple are settled.

We are ordered by our Majesty to receive the Indian monks.

The Masters of several temples will soon be here.

Remember, you should not lose your face.

Go and get everything ready.

Yes, Senior.

Go and wash the toilet.

Senior, Master Dharma has come.

Why don't you go and welcome him?

I am now telling the master.

Yes.

Master.

Thank God.

It's our luck to have you preaching in China.

I am glad to welcome you here.

We are servants of Buddha, don't treat me hospitably.

Master, where are you fellows?

I haven't brought them here.

How about your books?

I haven't brought them here either.

Master, what is the meaning of it?

You are an expert of Buddhism, the books must be in your mind.

Please preach to us now.

This way please.

What's the matter?

I don't know.

Master, why didn't he talk?

Maybe, this is the manner of India.

Thank God.

Sin Mon, now, let's start the Buddhism lesson.

Master Dharma, why are you leaving?

Sin Mon, be polite!

He is impolite!

Sin Mon, haven't you treated Master Dharma hospitably?

We have!

Why didn't he start preaching?

I don't know!

But he left with a smile.

I've got it.

What is on your mind?

I think, the Indian monks don't preach by mouth.

But how can he speak then?

Master, isn't he an Indian monk?

Let me tell you this: to a lotus grown from a pond of mud,

you should only pick the flower,

and don't let the mud defile you.

Oh, that saying denotes the perception of the Truth.

You can pick the flower from the mud.

Taking the good and dropping the bad.

Wonderful! Wonderful!

Everything grows according to fate.

If the mud grows lotus, the mud must be good too.

What?

Mud can also be good?

According to what you say,

you can find something good in every bad thing,

What is this theory?

Nothing is good or bad, it all depends.

It sounds a bit reasonable.

What do you understand?!

You grab your hand to make a fist? Or to grab a fist to make a hand.

This is the hen and egg story.

The egg comes first.

Where is the egg without a hen?

The egg comes first.

The hen comes first.

There is no first and second order, both answers are correct,

it depends on the causes and conditions,

Oh, I understand.

You understand? What do you understand again?

Master means that everthing depends on causes all conditions.

We'd not be stubborn,

and let fate take its own course.

I am puzzled.....

I don't understand.

You'd better find someone who can make you understand.

After all, I think you are that person.

Not me, it's you.

Master, you are so learned.

May I ask, after your death, where will you go?

I don't know.

There is something you don't know!

Because I haven't died.

You can't speak when you enter this room.

Yes, Senior.

Go in.

To sit for 3 days and nights.

The lamp went out.

Why did you speak?

We can't speak.

Only me who didn't speak.

What is the master doing?

What are you doing?

We sit to practise Zen to become Buddha.

I polish the tile to become a mirror.

How can you make a mirror by polishing the tile?

If I cannot make a mirror from a tile,

how can you become a Buddha by sitting to practise Zen?

So what can we do to become Buddha?

You must know that Buddha does not take any special form.

nor does the practice of Zen.

If you only sit to practise, and don't know the causes for sitting,

you will never be able to see the path to enlightenment.

What can we do to see the path of enlightenment?

Start from the beginning.

What is the beginning?

The heart is the beginning.

All good and evil, right and wrong.

stem's from the heart.

This is a simple rule. Failing to understand,

this will render all your hard working and practice wasteful.

Wasteful?

Master, master.....

Your Majesty is so busy in dealing with the country"s business,

Your Majesty still want's to discuss Buddhism with Master Dharma.

I can't imagine the Indian monks are to poor to afford shoes.

The wind makes the bell ring.

I think, Your Majesty's heart is not in peace.

Your words sound reasonable.

I am glad to meet you!

I've heard long before that Your Majesty is a Buddhist emperor.

So I came here to preach Buddhism.

You have come in the right time.

Since I acceded to the throne, I've built Buddha statues and temples, printed religious sutras and given generous offerings to monks.

May I ask you what merits are there in the work I've done?

No merits.

The merits are just like our shadow,

it seems existent, but actually it's not.

So what kind of work deserves a merit?

Only pureness and perfection of an enlightened person deserves merit,

but this merit is hardly obtainable.

Is there "Buddha" in the world?

No, there isn't.

What a joke! Being a monk, you know who you are?

I don't know.

I didn't find there is any common interest between us.

Please show the guest to the door.

I am so longer a general.

Why are you pushing me?

I want to take revenge for my brothers.

Why don't you stop?

I'd stop till you are dead.

What's the matter?

Do you want to talk to me?

I always have nightmare's.

Please teach me how to escape from this.

I have told you, let bygones be bygones.

Recite more sutras.

Let's forget the past.

I have recited many sutras today.

So keep on reciting whole heartedly.

I always recite the sutra with a begging heart.

That's not correct, you should beg nothing.

Thank you.

Let me do it.

No.

Master, actually you should not come daily.

Why don't you leave the job to us?

To work for the public, it's some kind of practice too.

You will be more learned than me in future.

You can be Buddha with a sense of kindness.

Remember, you should work harder and harder.

That's the teaching of Confucianism.

It's of no difference, we belong to one family.

Most important of all, to feel ease.

Don't be too Stubborn.

Who do you think he is?

He is an Indian monk, go now, or you will be in deep trouble.

Wait, be careful.....

Hurry up, there is an indian monk after you.

The indians are dirty, they use their hands to eat.

They use their hands to clean after shitting.

He is holding your daughter, look!

Take the baby back, quick.

It's full.

Hurry up.

Get on board, quick.....

The ship won't let him get on.

They bullied him because he is a foreigner.

Look, it's getting dark.

If he can't get on it, he shouId wait till tomorrow.

Forget it.

He is sitting and waiting.

I won't let him get on.

Right, you are right.

Oh, my daughter.

My daughter is fallen into the water.

Don't panic, your dad is coming.

Her past life made her become a bird today,

she was hurt by the arrow as a result of the causes and conditions.

Now that she is injured, she bears hatred in the mind.

Let me send you to the 3 refuges, and be a human to study in future.

Go now.

Are you looking for animals?

Yes.

How many animals can you shoot by one arrow?

One.

It may be two if I am lucky.

Two? Two by one arrow?

If I am really lucky.

I may shoot some animal which is pregnant.

So, that means more than two.

If I shoot one.....

but what I shoot will give peace to thousands of lives.

What is that?

It's you.

Me?!

Even I don't kill, there are many hunters too.

Blood and pain in return for delicious food.

they can't express their pain.

If both change positions,

who can cut oneself's body with a knife?

We've persuaded you for half a day, you are still so stubborn.

To escape making nightmare's, you don't even go to sleep.

You can't solve it in this way.

Yes, if going on like this, I will lock you up.

Yes, lock up.

Master.

Go back first.

Yes.

Why are you cutting yourself?

It's none of your business

Master, I feel sorry to see you cutting yourself.

I thought you would have no emotion.

I am wrong.

When learning Buddhism, we will meet mental obstacles.

You should have strong determination to overcome it.

Thank you.

Let's go, Master.

Look, can I walk now?

Do you feel painful by carrying me?

No.

Master Hung Chi.

How are you? Master Hung Chi.

Senior Hung Chi is a famous monk!

We must not bind our mind with gains and losses;

the craving for fame breeds happiness and sadness;

Monks would do away with all worldIy desires in order to reach the state of purity.

We will remember the preaching of yours.

This Indian monk is nothing special

His skin is darker than the other monks.

I've heard that he is very learned.

My cousin did see him using a reed to cross a river.

Really?

I don't believe it.

Excuse me, are you Master Dharma?

May I ask you to teach me?

mind, The Buddha. The Living Beings, are these 3 non-existent?

The reality is empty;

no bounds and no end, everything is as empty as this, isn't it?

Why did you beat me?

Since you said everything is empty.

where is the pain coming from?

See the invisible.

Listen to the inaudible.

know the unknowing.

this is the real Truth

Why did you hit him?

Are you leaving?

Junior,

Senior, are you crazy after being knocked unconsicious by him?

Stop, words can't explain my mind clearly.

Just feel it with heart.

That's him.

I am the Head-master of this temple.

He hasn't moved since last night.

Hey, my master is talking to you.

Don't be that rude.

It seems a unique way of practice with his gesture.

It's fate that he happens to come here for meditation.

Let's not disturb him and leave.

Let's go.

Ching Yune, you are responsible to send him rice.

Yes.

I've heard that the Indian monk hasn't eaten for 7 days.

He didn't drink any water.

How can he keep his life?

He has eaten.....

What's the matter with it?

Let's go and have a look.

Go.

See, he has taken rice.

Really! He did!

But he hasn't taken any.

Let's go, don't bother him.

Ching Tak, let me show you something interesting.

How long hasn't he taken food?

He hasn't taken any water, and he hasn't talked for half a year

Really? He hasn't talked for half a year?

Sure, I am not lying.

Won't his mouth stink?

Go, go and have a look!

Ching Tak, just look only.

Ching Tak, add some oil to the lamp.

It's strange.

Remember, you can't come alone.

Yes.

He has stayed here for 3 years!

Didn't he move a bit?

No! See, him,he is frozen.

Are you kidding?

Sure, that's why so many people come to worship him.

Master, I have heard that there is a monk with special power.

Do you know it?

I don't have that luck to see him, but Your Majesty met him once.

He is Master Dharma who was interviewed by Your Majesty before.

Oh, it cannot be him!

He is totally ignorant of the knowledge.

How dare he say, I deserve no merits.....

in my contribution be Buddhism!

He gave a correct answer.

Excuse my frank opinion, Your Majesty.

In face, you deserve merits from your work,

but your cravings for merits and praise.....

have changed its nature.

Maybe he's right,

but when I ask him if the Buddha existed.

He answered in the negative!

He's also right to say that, Your Majesty,

Buddha has no entity, it exists in the mind.

If you ever ask where the Buddha is,

it means Buddha is not in your mind, let alone the wisdom of Buddha.

But he couIdn't even answer me who himseIf was?

It's because Master Zen's achieved the state of "absolute altruisml",to him there is no "being"any

In that case, he is literally a great Zen Master.

General Peng!

Yes.

Go to Shaolin Temple and invite Master Dhrama here.

Master, Shaolin Temple is inside North Ngai's territory.

If I lead the troop there, will it cause any misunderstanding?

Use your mind!

Yes, Your Majesty!

If Master Dhrama comes to my palace,

I would ask him to discuss Buddhism with me everyday.

If you don't have that fate, why do you still ask for it?

I am General Peng, I am ordered by Our Majesty.....

to invite the Holy Monk to our palace.

Please forgive our rude behaviour.

Take him away.

You can't do this.

I lead a troop here to invite him to our palace,

can't get him here with such invitation,

is this my fate? Depriving me the chance of reunion?

When you say no chance, it means a chance in your fate.

Since His Majesty said fate,

whether you see him or not lies only in the mind.

How come I never understand this after many years of Buddhism study!

As you say, let the fate take its own course,

I'll meet the Master spiritually.

Son Kwong.

Follow me.....

Son Kwong.....

Rabbit......

It's master who calls you, not the rabbit.

Da dreaming again.

Master.

As you said, according to the dream.

Go to the South, then you will get the truth.

What? You asked me to leave the temple?

It's not me who asked you to leave, but the fate did.

You should leave now.

Now, all the people called you master.

Do you remember?

What's wrong with you?

I don't want to leave you.

Anyway, we will depart one day.

Don't be that childish!

Take care, master.

Stay where you are.

Damn it, how dare you stealing my stuff!

Let me take the penalty.

Hang him.

Wake up, pal.

None of your business, get lost!

Please take his stuff out.

Why did you steal?

My famiIy and I were refugees.

My dad was killed.

I have heard that there is a Holy Monk in Shaolin Temple.

So I go alone to ask him to protect my family.

May I know where is the Shaolin Temple?

Go to the South.

Don't do silly things.

Although you did something wrong, don't blame yourself.

Just to remember not to do this again.

Holy monk is just gossip.

I don't know if I should go or not.

Since you want to ask his help, you should have faith.

Then you can make it.

Life is short.

Other than the childhood and the aged.

And minus the sleeping hours.

What is left will not be more that 10,000 days.

We should make good use of time.

Do more good deeds to compensate for the bad things we did.

What's the matter?

It's lightened.

It's extinguished.

My clothes are dry, I'd better put on my clothes.

Master, thank you.

I am a common girl.

It may not be convenient to follow you to Shaolin.

I'd better go first, take care.

My name is Rabbit.

Rabbit?! Thank God.

It seems to be colder than the previous days.

Why not.....

What? You want to leave early again?

Ching Tak, tomorrow, you will come early to add oil to the lamp.

Master.

Do remember to write my master's name on, we'll donate 200 Tael's.

You contributed a lot.

Ching Tak.

Master.

Have you woken the monk yet?

I have fed him hot congee.

But he is still very weak.

He is so sincere, he must have something to beg for.

You have kneeled in the snow for 3 days.

What would you like to beg?

Master, please console my heart.

Your heart is disturbed?

Although I study hard the Buddhism, my mind is still sometimes restless.

Bring me your heart, let me console it for you.

But I can never find where the disturbed heart is?

I have already consoled your heart now.

PIease accept me as your student.

Why don't you regret yourself first before becoming my student?

Your present life is the result of your past life.

Your next life will be a consequence of this life.

The mutilation of your arm shows how determined you are,

you will become my student and I name you Wei Ho.

We have got about 30 Tael's from the donation.

Master Dharma sat inside the cave for 9 years.

We can't imagine he could bring so many good deeds to us.

You should take the money to everywhere.

Yes.

Hurry up then.

We will move early on tomorrow morning.

Yes.

What are you doing?

You can't do it in this way. You will be punished

Anyway, we got our rebate now.

We can't take it.

Go.

There is a fight over there.

Stop.

You should not fight in this holy place.

You should respect the Buddha.

I won't give face to anyone.

My God.

My God.

Look at these monks.

They are all on their knee's in front of me.

They are not worshipping you.

Who is he?

He is the so called Dharma Doll in the cave.

Well, I will knock him down right now.

Damn it.....

Boss.....

Damn it, I wanna kill you!

They killed among themselves, its fate.

Go.

Damn it!

All are stupid assholes.

See. How you are trying to avoid it this time!

If you need it, then take it.

Thank God.

You are so weak.

Before I leave, I will teach you how to practise your bodies.

So as to make yourself strong.

Kung-fu is the same as words.

Our daiIy lives are bounded inside.

If you want to learn more, you must observe more.

There is Zen's theory in every movement.

I will go back to India soon.

Now, tell me what you have learnt.

Letters only express the gist of Buddhism,

we must not be bound by letters.

At the same time,

not to do away with letters.

You have learnt the elementary only.

It's as if we saw the land of Buddha,

and became enlightened at the sight of it.

Then you need not see it again.

You are better.

You have learnt the intermediate.

Solidity, fluidity, heat and space are all empty.

The sensations of seeing, hearing, smelling & feeling are also non-existent!

You have achieved the higher level.

What about you, Wei Ho?

At least, you should have my spirit.

The one who knows does not says; the one who says does not know.

Wei Ho, take my begging bowl and clothes,

I appoint you my successor -- The Second Master of Zen.

200 years after I passed away,

the Master title would go to master six, and there will be no further successor.

It is because from that time on, the spirity of Zen will have spread throughout the country.

But those who know Zen will be many; those who practise Zen will be few;

Those who teaches in theory many; those who understands the spirit few.

Therefore, you must not neglect the biased people,

with one correct teaching, they will change and practise good.

These four rolls of scripts are the main gist of the Buddha.

Now I pass them to you,

always remember to work hard.

Listen.

I have come here to preach and to save the dis-illusioned.

The mission is complete now.

Master, where are you going to?

It's Miu Heung Chong.

I want to go to the West.

Why are you going alone?

You will know it when you are back.

A shoe? Where's he going?

Why do you send the goods by yourself?

Now the Buddhism is popular.

My only staff left me and opened a new shop of his own.

Come on, I will help you.

No, thanks.

I saw Master Dharma last evening.

Impossible, Master Dharma died 3 months ago.

ImpossibIe, I saw clearly that a straw sandal was hanging on his mace.

Well.....

About the story of Master Dharma and his straw sandal.

The Emperor ordered to prove it by opening Dharma's coffin.

At last, they did find only one straw sandal in the coffin.

At that time, Master Dharma was 150 years old.