密菴和尚語錄 1.164

1.164

上堂，僧問：「南泉和尚云：『自小牧一頭水牯牛，擬向溪東放，不免食國王水草；擬向溪西放，不免食國王水草。』意旨如何？」師云：「四稜蹋地。」進云：「南泉又道：『不如隨分納些些，總不見得。』如何是納些些？」師云：「橫該竪抹。」師乃舉：「南泉示眾云：『王老師自小牧一頭水牯牛，擬向溪東放，不免食他國王水草；擬向溪西放，不免食他國王水草。不如隨分納些些，總不見得。』長慶云：『南泉是前頭為人、後頭為人？』雲門云：『且道是牛外納？牛內納？直饒說得納處分明，我更問爾覓牛在。』雪竇云：『一時穿却。』」師云：「南泉起模畫樣；長慶披砂揀金；雲門鼻孔先穿；雪竇據欵結案。」驀拈拄杖云：「更有一箇在什麼處？」擲拄杖下座。

Ascending the hall, a monk asked: “Venerable Nanquan said: ‘Since youth I have herded a water buffalo. If I intend to graze it east of the stream, it cannot avoid eating the state king's water and grass; if I intend to graze it west of the stream, it cannot avoid eating the state king's water and grass.’ What was his intended meaning?” The master said: “Four hooves treading on the ground.” The monk asked further: “Nanquan also said: ‘Better to offer up a little bit according to one's lot, and none of it will be seen at all.’ What is offering up a little bit?” The master said: “Spreading crosswise and smearing vertically.” The master then cited: “Nanquan addressed the assembly, saying: ‘Old Master Wang has herded a water buffalo since youth. If I intend to graze it east of the stream, it cannot avoid eating another's state king's water and grass; if I intend to graze it west of the stream, it cannot avoid eating another's state king's water and grass. Better to offer up a little bit according to one's lot, and none of it will be seen at all.’ Changqing said: ‘Did Nanquan act for others beforehand, or did he act for others afterward?’ Yunmen said: ‘Tell me, does one offer it up outside the ox, or inside the ox? Even if you can explain clearly the place of offering, I will still ask you for the ox.’ Xuedou said: ‘Pierce through both at once!’” The master said: “Nanquan created the mold and sketched the pattern; Changqing sifted the sand to pick out the gold; Yunmen had his nostrils pierced first; Xuedou concluded the case according to the confession.” Suddenly taking up his staff, he said: “Where is the other one?” Throwing down the staff, he descended from the seat.