明覺禪師語錄 2.12

2.12

One day the attendant reported that three newcomers had arrived from Ruiyan. The master said, "Tell them to fully spread their sit-mats and make prostrations." When the monks had just entered the doorway, the master suddenly picked up his staff. A monk said, "I have come specially to pay respects to the upādhyāya." The master said, "Humph, humph! Which one is the leader?" One monk stepped forward and bowed in greeting. The master said, "Why have you lost the official permit of your native circuit?" The monk said, "I deeply receive the upādhyāya's compassion." The master said, "Go stand over there." He then asked the second person: "'In seeking companions, one must find those superior to oneself; those like me are not as good as none at all.'" The master pointed his staff at the leader and said, "Why do you follow this lacquer bucket?" The monk said, "I am newly ordained." The master also stopped him, saying, "Go stand over there." He then asked the third person, "Just now the two failed. What are you capable of doing?" The monk hesitated. The master shouted and said, "Go over there!" He then said, "According to reason, you should all be buried at once, but considering that you have come from afar, go to the monks' hall."