明覺禪師語錄 5.2

5.2

The Master's spoken expressions differ fundamentally from 'Sunny Spring and White Snow' or 'Azure Clouds and Pure Breeze'. The great jade tablet is uncarved, valuing natural authenticity; the ultimate word is unadorned, esteeming fundamental reality. It is a standard for the world—how could it be conjectured by mere intellectual cognition? Ever since the Master arrived at Cuifeng and Xuedou, whether versifying the profound and dense words and phrases of former virtuous ones, or composing verses inspired by farewells and presentations, his works were indeed numerous. Those fond of the Way collected and gathered them into a pouch. One day, compiled together, they formed two hundred and twenty poems, which were then copied and presented to the Master. The Master said: 'I merely composed them on occasional inspiration; how could they be kept in a text? I do not permit them to circulate.' The Chan practitioner responded: 'These are the fragrant and glorious achievements of the ancestral court for a thousand years—do not lightly cast them aside.' Discerning his sincere intent, the Master could not help but reluctantly consent. Wenzheng, having had the fortune of attending upon his seat, ventured to state this preface to mark the date. Revently prefaced by Wenzheng in the first month of the tenth year of Tiansheng of the Great Song [1032 CE].