汾陽無德禪師語錄 1.54

1.54

On the occasion of plucking chrysanthemums, [the Master] gave an informal gathering and said: "Golden blossoms spread across the ground, jade stamens receive the sky; the bright sun is in the sky, heaven and earth shine brilliantly; the dragon soars and rain pours down, dew congeals into frost. Without harming the nature of things, utter a phrase! Is there anyone who can speak? If you cannot speak, then there is grit in your eyes, and you must get it out. Therefore Master Fengxue said, 'If a single speck of dust is established, the state and family flourish, and the rustic old man frowns; if not a single speck of dust is established, the state and family perish, and the rustic old man is at peace.' If you can clarify it here, the ācārya has no share—it is entirely the old monk. If you cannot clarify it here, the old monk is the ācārya. The ācārya and the old monk can both awaken everyone in the world, and can also blind everyone in the world. Do you want to know the old monk and the ācārya? This one is the ācārya; this one is the old monk. Let me ask you venerable elders: are the old monk and the ācārya the same or different? If you say they are the same, the elder is by himself the elder, and the old monk is by himself the old monk. If you say they are different, it is also said that the old monk is the ācārya. If you can clarify it here, within a single phrase there are the three mysteries and three essentials, guest and host are distinct, your lifelong affair is accomplished, and your investigation is complete. Therefore Yongjia said, 'Grinding bones and smashing body would not suffice to repay; in one phrase, clearly realized, one transcends hundreds of millions.'"
[A monk] asked, "I take note of the Master's words: 'The dragon soars and rain pours down, dew congeals into frost.' Without harming the nature of things, what is the meaning?"
The Master said, "Mist veils the pines and bamboos, freezing the cold hue; clouds scatter from the mountain peaks, the bright sun shines."
"In that case, the ten thousand creatures all receive the power of the genial warmth; though the student grinds his bones, he cannot repay the kindness."
The Master said, "Setting aside the gold and marten outside the frontier; sounding the wooden clapper throughout the world."
He asked, "When Gan Mu served Marquis Wen, how many understood the tune?"
The Master said, "Walking, he is honored; sitting, he is noble."
"What is the meaning of 'Walking, he is honored; sitting, he is noble'?"
The Master said, "Myriad commoners sing of the sovereign's transformation; white clouds arise in the great void."
He asked, "How is it when one is deeply depressed and cannot turn around?"
The Master said, "The dragon-horse is whipped swiftly; the imperial carriage bells ring over the Luo River."
He asked, "When the cloth drum is beaten before the porch, who is the one that knows the tune?"
The Master said, "Resting the hoe, emptying the barley meal, lying in the grass without raising the head."
He asked, "The dragon girl offered a jewel and became a Buddha; the student has no jewel to offer—can I still attain Buddhahood, or not?"
The Master said, "Precious awakening is not of effort; there is no presenting virtue in offering."
"Then without traveling to the south, one directly receives the prediction."
The Master said, "After ten million years, you must not cite it wrongly."
He asked, "The teaching says, 'Anuttara-bodhi all comes forth from this scripture.' I wonder: where does this scripture come forth from?"
The Master said, "The six destinies cannot contain it; how could the five aggregates encompass it?"
"Then it turns constantly and turns in all places."
The Master said, "Try turning it and see."
"Then I faithfully accept and practice it."
The Master said, "Excellent! Clarifying the wondrous purport, not falling into existence or non-existence."
He asked, "Having long resounded as the Lion of Xihe, why is it that upon arriving here, I do not see it?"
The Master said, "Do you recognize the lion?"
"Then the great assembly may all rejoice."
The Master said, "Only when your skull splits will you know you are flustered."