虛堂和尚語錄 1.45

1.45

復舉：「法燈示眾：『本欲深藏巖壑，隱遁過時，奈清涼老人有未了公案，出來與他了却。』時有僧出問：『如何是未了公案？』燈便打云：『祖禰不了，殃及兒孫。』」師云：「法燈放去太奢，收來太儉，者僧身埃白刃，義氣薄雲，檢點將來依然未了。山僧住箇小院七年，拕泥帶水，手脚未乾，今日乍領報恩，人事倥傯，若是未了公案，不敢拈出。何故？恐屈辱先師。」

He again brought up: "Fadeng instructed the assembly: 'Originally I wished to hide deep in the rocky ravines and pass the time in seclusion; but the old man of Qingliang had an unfinished gong'an, so I came out to finish it for him.' At that time, a monk came forward and asked, 'What is the unfinished gong'an?' Fadeng struck him and said, 'When ancestors do not settle it, misfortune reaches their children and grandchildren.'" The master said: "Fadeng lets go too lavishly and gathers in too sparingly. This monk's body presses against a naked blade, his righteous spirit brushing the clouds; yet examining it, it is still unsettled. This mountain monk lived in a small cloister for seven years, dragging through mud and dripping with water, his hands and feet not yet dry. Today, having just taken charge of Bao'en, worldly affairs are bustling; if there were an unfinished gong'an, I would not dare bring it forth. Why? I fear bringing disgrace upon my late master."