明覺禪師語錄 3.78

3.78

[The Master] cited: "Zhaozhou instructed the assembly: 'Tonight I will answer questions; let anyone who knows how to ask come forward.' At that time a monk came forward. Zhaozhou said, 'I meant to cast a brick to draw jade, but drew an unburnt brick.' Upādhyāya Fayan then cited this and asked Jue the Iron Mouth, 'What was the late master's intent?' Jue said, 'Like when the state appoints a general, and asks, "Who can go?" Someone comes forward and says, "I can go." The king says, "You cannot go."' Fayan said, 'I understand.'" The Master said, "A clever fellow, hearing it cited, knows at once where it lands. Even so, he let Jue the Iron Mouth off. Now, an ancestral master's words are not issued in vain; one who comes forward must be an adept. Why cast a brick and draw an unburnt brick? Chan worthies! Do you want to know Zhaozhou? 'The sweating horse of former times was seen by no one; he merely wishes to reassess merit that covers the era.'"