圓悟佛果禪師語錄 14.5

14.5

The ancients used herding the ox as a metaphor; truly it is said that this requires a person of long perseverance. The most direct and essential method is first of all to forget views of the self, allowing oneself to be empty, tranquil, peaceful, and harmonious, drifting at ease and moving freely, neither grasping nor rejecting anything among all dharmas. Toward every sense faculty and every sense dust, remain naturally detached according to circumstances, operating alone and illuminating singularly; the substance of illumination stands independent, and object and self are unified. Right here, reaching the bottom, there is no illumination that can be established. Like severing a skein of silk, with one cut everything is severed; then you will naturally know how to make a living. When even views of Buddha and views of Dharma are not allowed to arise, the karmic consciousness of worldly toil will naturally melt away like ice and shatter like tiles. Nourish it until it becomes solid: like an idiot, like a block of wood, yet sharp and unconfined, unable to be contained within the ranks of patriarchs and Buddhas—how would it be willing to enter the womb of a donkey or the belly of a horse?”