鎮州臨濟慧照禪師語錄 1.61

1.61

Once Huangbo entered the kitchen and asked the rice steward, "What are you doing?" The rice steward said, "Picking rice for the assembly of monks." Huangbo said, "How much do they eat in a day?" The rice steward said, "Two and a half dan." Huangbo said, "Isn't that too much?" The rice steward said, "I'm still afraid it's too little." Huangbo struck him. The rice steward then brought this up to the Master. The Master said, "I will test this old fellow for you." As soon as he arrived and stood in attendance, Huangbo brought up the previous conversation. The Master said, "The rice steward did not understand; please, Venerable Sir, give a turning word in his place." The Master then asked, "Isn't that too much?" Huangbo said, "Why not say: 'Tomorrow they will eat another meal'?" The Master said, "Why speak of tomorrow? Eat it right now!" Having spoken, he slapped him. Huangbo said, "This mad fellow comes here again to stroke the tiger's whiskers!" The Master gave a shout and walked out. Later, Guishan asked Yangshan, "What was the intention of these two venerable elders?" Yangshan said, "What do you say, Venerable Sir?" Guishan said, "Only by raising a son does one know a father's kindness." Yangshan said, "Not so." Guishan said, "What do you say, son?" Yangshan said, "It is very much like bringing in a thief to ruin the house."