明覺禪師語錄 1.65

1.65

On receiving his master's title, he ascended the hall. A monk asked, "The imperial grace has descended, and the ocean-like assembly gazes upon it together. As I have stepped forward, I wish to hear your proclamation." The Master said, "A fine sound is in the ear; all people listen." The monk further asked, "How is it after listening?" The Master said, "When asked, originally none know at all." The monk said, "Having arrived here, I truly say I do not know." The Master said, "I allow that you are a petty bandit." He further said, "Those of the Chan school are just like battle commanders: seeing combat, they are courageous and strong; if the rope does not yield, they immediately capture [the foe]. Though this is an action of a single occasion, how can it compare to borrowing water to offer flowers and singing songs of great peace? The night rain enriches the mountain grasses; crisp breezes arise from ancient trees. Idly chanting the verses of Indian immortals is superior to chewing gold and jade. Crickets chirp by the ruined wall, barely escaping narrow grief; the person of the Way is an udumbara blossom, distant and lush against the far green mountains. Hence know that the Way is nowhere absent; who says there is an interval? Thus, Heaven has the Way to be light and clear; Earth has the Way to be solemn and still; valleys have the Way to be full; the sovereign has the Way to spread transformation. Therefore, our present Emperor, governing with the golden wheel, allows wise benevolence to pour forth abundantly, reaching far and wide even to grasses, trees, birds, and fish. A person who harbors illness in the crags and wilds has suddenly received this glorious favor; in this life or other lives, there is no way to repay it. The worthy prefect of the Bureau of Seals elevates the ways of Yao and Shun from on high and looks down upon Gong and Huang from below, upholding the refined customs of a thousand ages and locking in the spring colors of ten thousand lands. Soon receiving a bright imperial decree, he will distinctly raise his auspicious renown. As for the assistant magistrate, the commissioner of military agricultural colonies, and the court officials of the various administrative halls, I dare not use adorned words to praise them. Confucius said, 'I have prayed for a long time.'"