圓悟佛果禪師語錄 8.18

8.18

Ascending the hall, [the master] said, "The crescent moon is like a hook; light clouds mirror the fire. In front of the mountain the wheat is ripe; in the baskets the silkworms are being reeled. Farmers in swarms plant the shoots; on willow banks, lines hang down. Wind and rain are seasonally balanced; bandits and thieves are dispelled. For us people of the forests, for a while there is extraordinary delight! No sooner was this said than suddenly an envoy bearing a talisman came forth and said, 'In various places in front of the mountain, the five plagues are circulating, and the epidemic is severe; I wish to obtain a spirit talisman from the Venerable to drive them away.' This mountain monk then drew a circle with the staff and gave it to him, and in an instant he was gone. Hesitating, he then returned and said, 'The demons of the five plagues have already been driven away to worlds in other regions. There is only one matter on which I await instruction from the Venerable: from where did this efficacious spirit talisman come?' This mountain monk struck him right across the spine with a blow, and on the spot his tracks vanished and his voice ceased. Walking freely and swinging the sleeves, I composed a verse:
On the fifth day of the fifth month, the Middle of Heaven Festival; / Red mouths and poisonous tongues are completely eliminated. / Inscribed at the fifth hour of the fifth day of the fifth month: / Letting go of the snake's head, stroking the tiger's whiskers."