圓悟佛果禪師語錄 15.45

15.45

The Attendant Censor, Prince of Xiangyang Commandery, studied under Guishan Dayuan and obtained the essential purport. A monk came from Guishan, and the Attendant Censor asked, "What words or phrases does the old fellow on the mountain crest have?" The monk said, "Someone asked, 'What is the meaning of the ancestral teacher's coming from the West?' Guishan raised his whisk." The Attendant Censor asked, "How was it comprehended on the mountain?" The monk said, "On the mountain they discussed it as 'clarifying the mind in immediate connection with form, and revealing principle in accordance with things.'" The Attendant Censor said, "If one understands, one understands; what need is there for such dead-earnest haste? Go back quickly; I have a letter for the old teacher." The monk hastened back with the letter. Guishan opened it and saw drawn a circular figure, inside of which was written the character 'sun' (日). Guishan laughed heartily with a 'ha-ha!' and said, "Who knew that a thousand miles away I have one who knows my tune?" Yangshan said, "That is still not quite it." Guishan said, "How would you have it?" Yangshan drew a circular figure on the ground, wrote the character 'sun' within it, rubbed it out with his foot, and walked away. Look at how those who have attained take their steps and orient themselves—do they ever keep to an old nest? Here, if you skillfully observe their transformations, you will be able to fathom their mind. Having fathomed their mind, you will have a share of independence; having a share of independence, you will not follow after others; not following after others, wherever you go, how could you not be self-possessed?