袁州仰山慧寂禪師語錄 1.9

1.9

While serving as director of duties at Guishan, the Master returned from his labor. Guishan asked, "Where have you been?" The Master said, "I have come from the fields." Guishan said, "How many people were in the fields?" The Master thrust his spade into the ground and folded his hands. Guishan said, "Today on the South Mountain many people are mowing cogongrass." The Master pulled up the spade and walked off. (Xuansha Bei said, "Had I seen him, I would have kicked the spade over." A monk asked Jingqing, "When Yangshan thrust in the spade, what was the meaning?" Jingqing said, "A dog holding a decree of pardon in its mouth; the feudal lords yield the road." The monk said, "Just as when Xuansha kicked it over, what was the meaning?" Jingqing said, "Unable to do anything about the boat, he smashed the bailer." The monk said, "What was the meaning of mowing cogongrass on the South Mountain?" Jingqing said, "Third Brother Li Jing has long been experienced in battle formations." Yunju Xi said, "Tell me, did Jingqing render this verdict accurately or not?" Xuedou Xian said, "Every quarter says that the spade-thrusting story is extraordinary; this is very much like pursuing error and chasing wickedness. According to Xuedou's view, Yangshan, upon receiving Guishan's single question, tied himself up completely with a grass rope, completely dead." Cuiyan Zhi said, "Yangshan obtained only one stake; does anyone have another understanding?")