大慧普覺禪師宗門武庫 1.69

1.69

The Reverend Zhantang said: 'As for Chan practitioners, when they first join an assembly, as bodhisattvas of initial resolve, they stand shoulder to shoulder with the Buddha. After a year, they reach the Buddha's waist. They are just like a lapis lazuli vase: originally empty and stark, pure and spotless, yet filled with half a bottle of impure water. As it is shaken around inside, it clinks and clanks, constantly making noise. Suddenly they meet someone of genuine caliber who says to them: "This vase of yours was originally pure and spotless, yet it contains this foul water; moreover, not being full, it just keeps rattling. If you want it not to rattle, you must pour it out, cast it away, and wash it clean as before, and then fill it to the brim with good water—then it will not rattle." Why does it not rattle? Because it is full.'