大慧普覺禪師語錄 5.15

5.15

Ascending the hall, a monk asked: "Practicing Chan requires penetrating the net of afflictions; studying the Way expects stepping beyond life and death. The iron wall and silver mountain have neither front nor back; the golden hoop and chestnut burr are beyond contention. This is what students normally use; how is the Venerable's own perspective?" The Master said: "On a sunny spring day, the yellow oriole sings." The monk said: "Today, a small venture has met with a great encounter." The Master said: "Listen further to the sound of flowing water dropping over the cliff." The monk said: "In the end, what kind of Dharma did the sages of old take for what kind of people?" The Master said: "They took that kind of Dharma for that kind of people." The monk said: "If so, then calling it a bamboo comb violates; not calling it a bamboo comb turns away." The Master said: "Faithfully accept and uphold it; quickly make three prostrations." The monk bowed, and the Master then said: "Today is the twentieth day of the second month, once again Qingming and Hanshi. Lingyun did not see the peach blossoms; how could one believe there is straightness within the curve?" Thereupon, he took up his staff, struck it once, and said: "Is it curved? Is it straight?" He threw it down and said: "Better a little reality than much emptiness. Practice!"