大慧普覺禪師語錄 1.2

1.2

The monk Yunwen, your subject, humbly considers that although the Way of the buddhas and patriarchs is not something that words and letters can reach, its proclamation and dissemination inevitably rely on something before becoming clear. It is like pointing at the moon with a finger: the finger and the moon originally have no connection, yet by knowing what the finger points to, one knows where the moon is. For this reason, the vast teachings of the Canon serve as the standard for the world, relied upon down to the present day. Your subject, a humble and lowly dweller of the mountain wilds, has encountered your sagacious brilliance and repeatedly been blessed to gaze upon your pure countenance and receive your imperial instructions. The sagely words are high and far-reaching, beyond the reach of ordinary men; fortunately, this Way awaits [such an era] to flourish. Humbly rejoicing in this rare encounter, I dare to present my sincere and earnest petition. Your subject humbly reflects that my late teacher, the former abbot of Jingshan, Chan Master Dahui [Zonggao], was quick of understanding and extraordinarily gifted, directly receiving the orthodox transmission, using skillful means to enlighten later students. As for the essential sayings he promoted and expounded in daily life, your subject recorded them wherever he went, and they have all been made into books: already compiled as an extensive record in thirty fascicles, and also as a recorded sayings in ten fascicles. Having reverently transcribed them, I have approached the imperial palace to present them, humbly hoping that in the leisure of attending to myriad affairs of state, your Majesty will deign to examine them. Your subject also humbly observes that during the Jingde era of Emperor Zhenzong, the Record of the Transmission of the Lamp compiled by the monk Daoyuan was decreed to enter the Canon. Now, regarding the ten fascicles of my late teacher's recorded sayings presented by your subject, I would request that, in your imperial compassion, according to the aforementioned precedent, you specially bestow a directive also commanding their entry into the Canon to broaden their circulation, so that later students may all be able to hear them, and my late teacher will be rendered ever more immortal. Your subject is filled with boundless trembling and awe as he awaits the imperial decree, taking his leave to await instructions. Qiandao 7th year [1171], 3rd month, [ ] day. Memorial submitted by the monk Yunwen, Chan Master Huiri, abbot of Nengren Chan Monastery on Jingshan, your subject.