法演禪師語錄 2.95

2.95

Ascending the hall, he said, "Discussing this matter is like a person gambling: if suddenly he wins, body and mind rejoice, his family business flourishes, sheltering his children and grandchildren; if inadvertently he loses to the other, he is naturally bewildered and distressed. Even though there is losing and winning, this matter is still present. Today Baiyun, if there is a rule, follows the rule; if there is no rule, follows precedent. Have you not seen: When Prefect Lu Gen was watching double-sixes with Nanquan, the prefect gathered up the dice and asked Nanquan, 'Like this or not like this—when trusting to luck just like this, how is it?' Nanquan said, 'Stinking bones, eighteen.' Great assembly! From here to the county town is not far; when outsiders hear of it and come to bust the gambling, what then?" He then said, "Baiyun naturally has his principle. I recall Longya saying: 'In studying the Way, one must first have a cause for awakening, / Just like having competed in a swift dragon boat: / Although the old tower and idle fields remain, / Only after winning once does one finally rest.'"