明覺禪師語錄 1.69

1.69

In the evening the Master gave an informal gathering. A monk asked, "The prefect of Siming has sent an official document from afar; before we set out on the journey, please, Master, speak without delay." The Master said, "Noted." The monk continued, "One branch of the Yin River is still flourishing today." The Master said, "Walking by night is not permitted." The Master then said, "Good people, there has never been one who journeys endlessly without dwelling, nor has there ever been one who dwells forever without journeying; the ancients and the moderns each had their places to go. Furthermore, this monastery is situated in an isolated corner; were it not for mindfulness of repaying the Buddha's kindness, people would not have gathered here from the four quarters to abide. I fear that after this mountain monk sets out, the Dharma seat will be left vacant; I have now appointed the great being Elder Su to succeed as abbot. Fortunately, I hope you venerable assemblies will unitedly invite him." The Master took leave of Cuifeng and ascended the hall. A monk asked, "Hearing that the scholar has spoken, vacating the ancestral seat of Cuifeng and mounting the bodhimaṇḍa of Xuedou, what is the Immovable Honoured One?" The Master said, "Going downhill without running; such agility is hard to meet." The monk continued, "If so, then moving is like drifting clouds, resting is like the valley spirit." The Master said, "You must tighten your straw sandals." The Master then said, "This mountain monk is constrained to yield to their invitation, and cannot linger. Packing my baggage to take leave and depart, I feel only many attachments and deep emotion. Moreover, during my stay as abbot I have long troubled the diligent former members, who have fully proven themselves through the winter cold; I hope each will devotedly pursue the Way with special zeal, so as to fulfill my sincere prayers. For those noble practitioners who follow along, travelling over a thousand miles and numbering nearly a hundred monks, should food and gruel be missed or neglected, or boats and carts be cramped and narrow, I hope you will accommodate one another and find your own joy in Chan; then travelling everywhere throughout the Buddha-lands will not be far. Why is this? Venerable Chan monks! Coming and going are not through images, so there is no vessel that does not take form; motion and stillness are not through mind, so there is no stimulus that does not evoke a response. Thus, mind arises from having a mind, and images come forth from having images. Since images do not come forth from me, metal and stone may melt without being scorched; since forms are not produced by me, they may be used daily without weariness. Let their clamour remain with them; what does it have to do with me? Please, everyone, hang high the travelling sails; take good care of yourselves."