法演禪師語錄 1.47

1.47

On the day the Master entered the monastery, a monk asked, "Taking distant leave of Shuangquan to arrive among the Chan assembly, we pray the Master will present a phrase on entering the gate." The Master said, "Wait until each one has been inspected." The student said, "If so, then people need not journey far to Mount Qingliang; merely burning incense here, one sees the Master." The Master shouted and said, "You do not even take in my words." The student said, "Seeing your face in person today truly surpasses hearing your renown." The Master said, "Still babbling." He asked, "What is the environment of Taiping?" The Master said, "Several tiers of the jeweled pagoda rise into the sky; ten thousand tall pines envelop the earth in cold." The student said, "Who is the person within the environment?" The Master said, "Leisurely holding a scripture roll, leaning against a pine he stands, smilingly asking the guest from whence he came." The student said, "The person and the environment have already been pointed out by the Master; what about the matter of the superior lineage vehicle?" The Master said, "You must believe the city walls below are near; indeed the bells and chimes blend with pipes and songs." He asked, "What is the Buddha?" The Master said, "Bare chest and bare feet." The student said, "What is the Dharma?" The Master said, "A general amnesty that does not release [the prisoner]." The student said, "What is the Sangha?" The Master said, "Third Son Xie on the fishing boat." He then said, "Originally I had no intention to seek anything, yet today this jewel trove has arrived naturally. The treasures of the mundane world can turn poverty into wealth; this single treasure can transform the ordinary into the noble. But tell me, is it right now ordinary or noble? Taiping says: neither at all. Why so? A bitter gourd is bitter right down to its roots; a sweet melon is sweet all the way to its stem."