大慧普覺禪師宗門武庫 1.30

1.30

The gate of the Hui'an Cloister in Fengxin County, Hongzhou, bordered the left side of the road; patch-robed monks traveling to and from Huanglong, Letan, Dongshan, and Huangbo all passed through it. By chance, the dharma seat had long been vacant, and the prefect sent a letter to Chan Master Zhenjing of Baofeng, instructing him to choose someone to preside over it; the senior monks, monastic officers, and elders were all daunted by the prospect of going. At that time there was Head Monk Yuan, a northerner, who was solitary, resolute, and independent. He had studied with Huitang and Zhenjing and genuinely had an area of realization, yet he mingled with the assembly in their daily routine, unrecognized by anyone. Hearing that the senior monks and officers were declining and unwilling to answer the call, he addressed Zhenjing, saying, 'Can Huiyuan go?' Zhenjing said, 'You can go.' He then replied to the letter, recommending Yuan. As soon as Yuan received the official document, he took his leave. At that time Zhantang was the head of the assembly, and asked Yuan, 'When you go, how will you act as abbot?' Yuan said, 'I lack merit; I must forge karmic affinities with all people, carrying a basket on my back and walking the streets to provide for the assembly.' Zhantang said, 'It must be an elder brother like you to manage it.' He then composed a verse to see him off, saying: 'The master enters Xinxin to guide and gather all beings; / For now draw in the donkey's foot, first extend the buddha's hand. / Pointing out right and wrong, distinguishing the fine and the foul; / Wielding the sword that kills and gives life, roaring the lion's roar; / Responding to the capacities of all beings, undoing the cloth bag's mouth. / Moving northeast, southwest, setting pearls rolling and jades turning; / Causing those who are blind to themselves to suddenly leap from the rut of ignorance. / Aha! Seeing three, deduct three; three times three makes nine. / Patriarchs transmit to patriarchs, buddhas hand it down to buddhas.' Yuan stayed at Hui'an, begging every day. When he encountered transients, he would invite them to rest at the cloister, saying, 'Allow me to return and prepare offerings.' Thus for thirty years, through wind and rain, he never changed. He newly founded a buddha hall, a revolving canon library, an arhat hall—whatever a monastic grove ought to have, all were completely provided. When Chan Master Sixin of Huanglong visited him, Yuan said, 'New Elder, you always like to use that thoughtless move to sweep people away; stay here tonight, and let me go over some fine points of the great dharma gate with you.' Sixin was intimidated by him and said to his attendant, 'This fellow truly understands; I cannot lock teeth and spar words with him; better to leave.' Without staying the night, he departed. Yuan passed away at Hui'an; after his cremation, three of his six sense organs were undamaged, countless relics were obtained, and a wondrous fragrance filled the room, unceasing for months. When Fengxin was devastated by war and fire, leaving nothing remaining, Hui'an's halls alone stood towering intact. Was this not the fulfillment of his vow power and the protection of divine spirits? Nowadays, when those in various quarters fold their hands and enjoy ready-made provisions hear of Yuan's style, how could they not feel ashamed in their hearts?