大慧普覺禪師語錄 8.25

8.25

At the request of Participant in Political Affairs Li, he instructed the assembly, citing: "Prime Minister Pei entered a monastery, saw a painted portrait on the wall, and asked the prior, 'What is on the wall?' The prior said, 'An eminent monk.' Pei said, 'The appearance is indeed striking, but where is the eminent monk?' The prior had no answer. Pei said, 'Is there no Chan monk here?' At that time Huangbo was in the assembly. The prior said, 'There is a Senior Xiyun who looks rather like a Chan monk.' Pei then summoned Huangbo and mentioned his previous words to him. Huangbo said, 'Just please ask me.' Pei said, 'The appearance is indeed striking, but where is the eminent monk?' Huangbo called out, 'Prime Minister!' The minister responded, 'Yes?' Huangbo said, 'Where is he?' Pei grasped the purport upon these words." The Master said, "Lord Pei followed error with error, casting off roots and dust completely. Huangbo opened his mouth and extended compassion, expending no mental effort. Like the earth supporting a mountain, unaware of the mountain's solitary steepness; like a rock containing jade, unaware of the jade's lack of flaws. Even so, Huangbo only possessed the sword that kills people, but lacked the sword that brings people to life. Today, if the Grand Tutor Prime Minister were to ask Yunmen, 'The appearance is indeed striking, but where is the eminent monk?' Yunmen would also call out, 'Prime Minister!' If the Prime Minister responded, Yunmen would immediately say to him, 'Today in the hall, we especially thank you for the offering.'"