大慧普覺禪師宗門武庫 1.44

1.44

Chan Master Xingjiao Tan of Xuanzhou was a son of the Niu clan of Wenzhou. For generations his family engaged in silversmithing. Once while polishing a silver vase he suddenly had an awakening; thereupon he left home, received the full precepts, and wandered on pilgrimage, becoming an heir of Langya Guangzhao. When Master Huai resided at Xingjiao, Tan served as the head monk. When Huai accepted another invitation, he wished to recommend Tan to succeed him as abbot. At that time Diao Jingchun was prefect of Wanling; Huai feared Diao might be swayed by outside opinions, so he prayed before Avalokiteśvara: "If Head Monk Tan's eye of the Way is clear and he is worthy of the abbacy, may a dream be shown to Academician Diao." That night Diao dreamed of an ox sitting upon the Dharma seat at Xingjiao. At dawn Huai came to take leave of the prefecture, and Diao recounted his dream of the night. Huai laughed heartily. Diao asked the reason, and Huai said, "Head Monk Tan's surname is Niu [Ox], and he was also born in the year of the Ox." Diao stepped to his seat, brought out an invitation, and requested him. Tan accepted the invitation and ascended the seat. There was a fund-raising monk of Xuedou named Shengzong who came forward and asked, "Before the buddhas appeared in the world, everyone's nostrils pointed up to the heavens. Why is it that after they appeared in the world there was no news at all?" Tan said, "In front of Cock's Foot Peak, the wind is silent." Zong said, "Not yet! Say more." Tan said, "Heavy snow fills Chang'an." Zong said, "Who understands this intention? It makes me remember Nanchuan." Shaking his sleeves, he returned to the assembly without even bowing. Tan said, "The new [abbot of] Xingjiao has suffered a defeat today," and returned to the abbot's quarters. Tan sent someone to invite Zong to come, and said, "Just now I mistakenly answered a turning word; before the assembly of humans and devas, why did you not bow down to cover it up?" Zong said, "A great man has gold beneath his knees; how could he be willing to bow down to an eyeless elder?" Tan said, "I have another phrase." Zong then reviewed the previous words, and when they reached the part "Not yet! Say more," Tan said, "I have thirty blows to send with you to strike Xuedou!" Zong then bowed down.