圓悟佛果禪師語錄 8.25

8.25

Ascending the hall, [the master] said, "Gathering together from the ten directions, each and every one studies non-action. This is the arena for selecting Buddhas; when the mind is empty, one passes the examination and returns. A great hero possesses fierce resolve and generous, noble spirit, trampling through the phantom city and directly taking it on: outside, seeing no realms whatsoever; inside, seeing no self; above, seeing no sages; below, seeing no ordinary or ignorant beings. Stark naked and purely exposed, not a single thought arising, the bottom of the tub kicked out—is this not the mind being empty? Arriving here, is there still room for blows and shouts? Is there still room for profound and wondrous principle and nature? Is there still room for that and this, right and wrong? Directly it is like a single snowflake on a red-hot furnace; is this not holding up the head and wearing horns in the arena for selecting Buddhas? Although this is so, if you examine it closely, it still involves steps and stairs. And what do you say in a single phrase that does not involve steps and stairs? Do you understand thoroughly? The thousand sages do not retain any sign or trace; in the midst of ten thousand people, one seizes the high banner." He further had a verse that said:
"Living in the mountains, one values only harmony in the assembly; / Inside and outside bright and clear, things should be properly aligned. / The broken-legged vessel fortunately suffers no harm; / Relying on each other, we put forth our hands and assist together."