明覺禪師語錄 1.30

1.30

He brought up: "Upādhyāya Si ordered Shitou to deliver a letter to Upādhyāya Rang's place, saying: 'On the day you return, I will give you a blunt ax to dwell in the mountains.' As soon as Shitou reached Upādhyāya Rang's place, he asked: 'What is it like when one neither admires the sages nor values one's own spirit?' Rang said: 'Your question is too lofty; why not ask downward?' Shitou said: 'I would rather sink in eternal kalpas than seek liberation from the sages.' He then returned. Upādhyāya Si asked: 'Did the letter arrive?' Shitou said: 'The letter did not arrive, nor did the message get through. On the day I left, the Upādhyāya promised me a blunt ax; please give it.' Si lowered one foot, and Shitou bowed." The Master commented: "Shitou was almost completely carrying a board on his shoulder." He also said: "Big or small, Master Rang did not know how to enforce the command."