鎮州臨濟慧照禪師語錄 1.21

1.21

The prefectural governor, Attendant Wang, together with various officials, invited the Master to ascend the seat. The Master entered the hall and said, "Today this mountain monk had no choice; only out of accommodating human sentiments did I mount this seat. If it were in accordance with proclaiming the great matter under the gate of the ancestral school, one simply could not open one's mouth, and there would be nowhere for you to plant your feet. Today, however, because of the Attendant's earnest request, how could I conceal the essential principle of our school? Are there any adept battle commanders right here to unfurl their battle lines and unfurl their flags? Step forward before the assembly to bear witness!"
A monk asked, "What is the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma?"
The Master gave a shout. The monk bowed. The Master said, "This monk is indeed capable of holding a discussion."
[A monk] asked the Master, "Whose family tune do you sing? Whose ancestral style do you inherit?"
The Master said, "When I was at Huangbo's place, three times I questioned him, and three times I was beaten."
The monk hesitated, and the Master gave a shout, followed by a blow, saying, "One must not drive a peg into empty space!"
A lecturing master asked, "Do not the three vehicles and twelve divisions of the teachings clarify the Buddha-nature?"
The Master said, "The wild grass has never been weeded."
The lecturer said, "Could the Buddha have deceived people?"
The Master said, "Where is the Buddha?"
The lecturer was speechless. The Master said, "In front of the Attendant, you intended to deceive this old monk! Step back at once! Step back at once! You are obstructing others from asking questions."
He further said, "Today's Dharma assembly is for the sake of the one great matter. Are there any more questioners? Step forward quickly and put your questions! Yet the moment you open your mouths, there is already no connection. Why is this so? Have you not seen the Śākya Honoured One say: 'The Dharma is free from words and letters, because it does not pertain to causes and is not within conditions'? It is because your faith does not reach, that today there are entanglements. Fearing to detain the Attendant and the officials and obscure their Buddha-nature, it is better to withdraw for now."
He gave a shout and said, "People with little root of faith will never have a day of completion. You have been standing long. Take care."