大慧普覺禪師宗門武庫 1.18

1.18

Reverend Zhantang Zhun, a native of Xingyuan Prefecture, was a direct heir of Zhenjing. When the seat at Yunyan in Fenning fell vacant, the prefect commanded Chan Master Sixin of Huanglong to recommend someone he knew to fill that post. Sixin said: 'Master of the Mountain Zhun can abide there; I do not know him personally, but have only seen that he has a verse on washing the bowls that is very fine.' The prefect asked: 'May I hear it?' Sixin cited it, saying: 'The particles of speech, / The patch-robed monk's nostrils, / The large head turned down— / If you do not understand, / Ask Elder Sister Wang of the eastern village.' The prefect marveled at it and prepared the ritual courtesies to earnestly invite him, and Zhun did not decline. Throughout his life he disciplined himself with frugality; though he led disciples and propagated the Dharma, he did not change how he had been when living among the assembly. Rising at dawn and visiting the rear rack, he took only a small ladle of hot water to wash his face, and then used it again to wash his feet; his other uses were all generally like this. As soon as the evening assembly was dismissed, the attendants and laborers in the abbot's quarters were just like passersby [to him]; sweeping the floor and boiling tea were all done by himself. He possessed the style of the ancients and was truly a fine model for posterity.