圓悟佛果禪師語錄 10.10

10.10

The Master said: 'Leaving behind words and leaving behind characteristics, there is none of this whatsoever; though it is quiet and silent, one only fears falling into dead water. Showing characteristics and revealing words is like adding flowers onto brocade; though it is bustling and noisy, one only fears entering a forest of thorns. Between these two paths, it is still the place where worldly people rise and fall. Not falling into the rising and falling of worldly people, and not dwelling in these two paths, how then can it be demonstrated? Do you still understand here? There is a road reaching to heaven, there is a dynamic cutting off sages; stretching one's body horizontally across the fierce tiger's mouth, scratching an itch on the poisonous snake's head—this is everyday fare. Therefore it is said: "Before King Bhīṣmagarjitasvararāja, was awakening on one's own without a master permissible? Why? He is allowed an achievement surpassing a master. After King Bhīṣmagarjitasvararāja, one must be launched by a master. Why? For fear of falling into heavenly demons and heterodox paths." Therefore it is said: "Sometimes a phrase can serve as master to patriarchs and buddhas; sometimes a phrase is fit to serve as master to humans and devas." When you penetrate through, believe fully, see thoroughly, and hold fast, only then do you accord with the ancients. Have you not seen it said: "One whose insight surpasses the master is fit to receive the transmission; one whose insight equals the master diminishes the master's virtue by half." Just take old Śākyamuni now—is he not a master? Great Master Bodhidharma—is he not a master? Is there anyone whose insight surpasses old Śākyamuni and Great Master Bodhidharma? Try to come forward and show a bit of news, so that we may see the seed-stock from of old. Is there anyone? Is there anyone? If not: if one did not shoot the stone tiger at Lantian, one would have almost killed General Li in vain.'