大慧普覺禪師語錄 8.21

8.21

示眾，舉：「青原思和尚問六祖：『當何所務即不落階級？』祖云：『汝曾作甚麼來？』思云：『聖諦亦不為。』祖云：『落何階級？』思云：『聖諦尚不為，何階級之有？』祖深器之。」師云：「莫將閑話為閑話，往往事從閑話生。」

He instructed the assembly by citing: "Venerable Si of Qingyuan asked the Sixth Patriarch: 'What must one undertake so as not to fall into stages?' The Patriarch said: 'What have you ever practiced?' Si said: 'I do not even practice the noble truths.' The Patriarch said: 'What stage do you fall into?' Si said: 'When even the noble truths are not practiced, what stage could there be?' The Patriarch deeply valued him."

The Master said: "Do not treat idle words as idle words; often matters arise from idle words."