圓悟佛果禪師語錄 16.8

16.8

When old Śākyamuni shared half his seat before the Stūpa of Many Sons, he had already secretly bestowed this seal; thereafter, holding forth the flower was the second gong'an. As for transmitting the gold-embroidered robe to await Maitreya in Mount Kukkuṭapāda, how many formalities were there? Bodhidharma came far from the West, wandering through Liang and passing through Wei, sitting coldly amidst the deep snow of Shaolin. There was an old fellow who cut off his arm and was able to see through it; inevitably, [Bodhidharma] leaked it and entrusted it to him, which is called the single transmission and secret record. Examining it carefully, it was a complete blunder. From then on, the purport of coming from the West was loudly proclaimed, and the world followed the current, carrying on errors with errors, spreading all over the land and dividing into the five houses and seven lineages, successively setting up schools and proclaiming them. Investigating it in reality, what matter on the verge did it actually accomplish? For this reason, adepts from the past never ate this kind of meal. And what is truly appropriate? One should know that if one can cast an eye beyond the six directions, it is already distinct. Furthermore, looking down from below the surface of the floating banner king-realms of the boundless Fragrant Ocean, few know where it settles. Therefore it is said: "This is the business of a great man." The steps and style of tumbling and overturning can only be well sustained and upheld by those of the same wind and matching realization; they never scatter sand and dirt. Thus, sharing a single mat with Śākyamuni, the Golden Ascetic, the blue-eyed [Bodhidharma], and Shenguang, casually letting down hands, killing people and giving people life, at the outset there is no nest; they only value tightness and sharpness. Through ten thousand hardships and a thousand bitternesses, extremely perilous and extremely virulent, once one can apply life-ending hands and feet, only then is the seal and transmission not in vain. Master Baiyun said: "The secret formula of the immortals is not transmitted between father and son."