四明尊者教行錄 5.58

5.58

（億）啟：近致問端，遠承答誨。恭聞了義，尤滌蒙襟。蓋龍象之極談，續雲雷之雄韻，依而領解、奉以遵行，足照了於色空，乃混同於心境，往生隨願，福智並嚴，受頂記，以何賒。得法乳之正味。然而陋聞所及，結舌匪容。有疑須爭，罔關於人我；覿面相示，期達於本源。若乃谷響隨聲動，彰於答應；鏡火立照隨，顯於形規。如理而言，表樞機之迅發；依經以解，味糟粕以沈研。其如離句絕非，終焉杳邈。喪詞忘慮，曷取攀緣。惟少室之宗風、本靈山之笑視，瞥然起念，已蹉西天之程；兀爾忘情，正坐山鬼之窟。有修有證，慮剜肉以成瘡；以心傳心，乃標指而為月。自他路絕，生佛道齊，縱直下以承當，已未來而喪失。故黃蘗痛杖於臨際，至再三而自知；船子揮檝於夾山，一剎那而頓悟。儻全無扣激，遂泯於宗風。然少室機鋒，為求於道契，恭承旨喻，但積欽隆。諒惟領眾之餘，允獲深禪之樂。未期瞻拜，但積傾依。謹奉狀起居謝。

[Yang] Yi states: Recently I raised questions, and from afar I have received your instructional reply. Reverently hearing your definitive discourse, it especially cleansed my ignorant mind. It is indeed the ultimate discourse of dragons and elephants, continuing the heroic resonance of clouds and thunder. Understanding in accordance with it and reverently following its practice, it is sufficient to illuminate forms and emptiness and to merge mind and objects into one; rebirth occurs in accordance with one's vows, with blessings and wisdom both adorned. In receiving prediction upon the crown of the head, what delay could there be? I have attained the authentic flavor of the Dharma-milk. Nevertheless, within the reach of my vulgar learning, keeping my tongue tied is not permissible. Where there is doubt, one must contend, without regard to self and other; showing it face to face, one hopes to reach the fundamental source. As an echo moves following sound, manifested in responding; as mirror and fire instantly illuminate in accord, revealed in form and rule. Speaking in accord with principle demonstrates the swift release of the critical mechanism; interpreting in reliance upon sūtras savors the dregs in deep study. Yet as for transcending propositions and terminating negations, it remains ultimately distant and obscure. Discarding words and forgetting deliberate thoughts, how could one take up grasping at conditions? Only the ancestral style of Shaoshi, rooted in the smile on Gṛdhrakūṭa—a thought flittingly arising already strays from the path to the Western Heaven; motionlessly forgetting sentiments is precisely sitting in the cave of mountain ghosts. If there is cultivation and realization, one fears cutting one's flesh to make a wound; transmitting mind with mind points the finger for the moon. The path of self and other is severed; the ways of sentient beings and Buddhas are equal. Even if one takes it upon oneself directly, before it arrives it is already lost. Thus Huangbo gave painful blows of the staff to Linji, which took three times before he realized it on his own; the Boatman wielded his oar against Jiashan, who was suddenly enlightened in a single instant. If there were no probing and provocation at all, the ancestral style would then vanish. However, the verbal thrusts of Shaoshi seek accord with the Way; reverently receiving your instructions, I only accumulate deep veneration. I trust that in the intervals of guiding the assembly, you truly attain the joy of profound meditation. While not yet anticipating paying my respects in person, I only amass my devoted reliance. I respectfully present this letter of inquiry and thanks.