筠州洞山悟本禪師語錄 1.64

1.64

垂語曰：「直道本來無一物，猶未消得他衣鉢，這裏合下得一轉語，且道下得什麼語？」有一上座，下語九十六轉不愜師意，末後一轉始愜師意。師曰：「闍黎何不早恁麼道？」別有一僧密聽，秖不聞末後一轉，遂請益上座。上座不肯說。如是三年執侍巾瓶，終不為舉。上座因有疾，其僧云：「某甲三年請舉前話，不蒙慈悲，善取不得，惡取去。」遂持刀向之云：「若不為某甲舉，即便殺上座也。」上座悚然曰：「闍黎且待，我為汝舉。」乃曰：「直饒將來亦無處著。」其僧禮謝。

Offering words of guidance, he said: "Even if you say 'originally not a single thing exists', you still do not deserve his robe and bowl. Here, one must present a turning phrase. Tell me, what phrase can be presented?" There was a senior monk who presented ninety-six turning phrases that did not satisfy the Master's intention; only the very last turning phrase satisfied the Master's intention. The Master said: "Ācārya, why didn't you say so earlier?" Another monk listened secretly, but missed only that final turning phrase, and thereupon asked the senior monk for instruction. The senior monk refused to say. For three years he attended upon him with towel and pitcher, yet the senior monk never cited it for him. The senior monk fell ill, and the monk said: "For three years I have asked you to cite the previous words, but have not received your compassion. If I cannot obtain it by good means, I will take it by bad means." He then took up a knife and faced him, saying: "If you do not cite it for me, I will kill you right away, senior monk." Terrified, the senior monk said: "Ācārya, wait a moment; I will cite it for you." He then said: "Even if you bring it forward, there is nowhere to put it." The monk bowed in thanks.