Misuse of Books

A temple in the district of Wu-Kung-Hien contained a library which students from 
the district school often consulted. One winter day, four of them used some of 
the sacred books for fuel to heat the room, while another burned one book to 
warm some water for his toilet. Only one of their number, Kang Tui-Shan by name, 
was indignant at their conduct, but he dared not offer a word of censure.

The next night Kang Tui-Shan had a dream in which he and his fellow-students 
were led before the tribunal of the three divine Lord-Superior Magistrates.[1] 
The six prostrated themselves and one of the gods said: "Buddha is a great 
saint, why have you dared burn his sacred books to warm yourselves?"

The four students struck their foreheads against the ground and besought pardon 
for their crime, but were condemned to death. The one who warmed water for his 
toilet was doomed never to receive any advancement during his life. Finally the 
god asked Kang Tui-Shan why he had not remonstrated with his companions.

"I knew that they were doing wrong," answered Kang, "but as they are my elders, 
I was afraid my reproaches would off end them."

"I will pardon you," said the god, "but when you have risen to a prominent 
position do not fail to give your support and protection to the religion of 
Buddha."

When he awoke Kang wrote down his dream. He obtained the degree of Chwang-
Yüen[2] when the four other students failed in their examinations and were 
excluded from the contest. Six months later the plague spread in their country 
and all four perished with their families, while the student who burned the 
sacred books to heat water was still, in his old age, merely a poor 
schoolmaster. He died from starvation in the seventh year of the reign of Shih-
Tsung of the Ming dynasty (A. D. 1529).

Now it is a greater sin to waste sacred books than to mock and slander sages and 
saints. Paper, whether written or printed, often contains maxims that wise men 
have bequeathed on us. If we use it for unclean purposes, if we trample it 
underfoot, instead of carefully preserving it, we are committing a crime as 
serious as if we slandered them.

[1. The name of this divine tribunal is Shen San-Kuan Ti Chün, which, literally 
translated, means the Divine Trinity of Official Lord Superiors. They are the 
gods of heaven, of earth, and of water. Their birthdays are celebrated on the 
fifteenth of the first, seventh, and tenth months, respectively. The first 
distributes blessings, the second forgives sins, and the third saves from fire.]

[2. The first rank in the list of doctors.]