There was a scholar who, having completed his studies, remained unsuccessful in the academy. So, he went to the temple before the County Level Exam and prayed to Lord Superior Wenchang (the God in charge of Literary Achievement), vowing, “If I pass the exam, I shall offer a deer.” As it turns out he passed the exam smoothly, so he killed a deer to use as offering to fulfill his promise. Later on, before going to the Capital to take the Academy Level Exam, he made the same pledge again, this time promising to sacrifice two deer once his wish got fulfilled. But he died before passing the exam. Alas! To slaughter those deer in pursuit of your own worldly advancement — how could you possibly be able to live in peace?
by Grand Master Lian Chi (蓮池大師), the Eighth Patriarch of Pure Land Buddhism
鹿祀求名 – 錄自明末蓮池大師《竹窗隨筆》(初筆)
士人有學成而久滯黌校者，禱於文昌:「設遂鄉科，當殺鹿以祀。」俄而中式。既酬願已，上春官，復許雙鹿，未及第而卒。噫! 殺彼鹿，求己祿，於汝安乎?
Buddha Mind 