虛堂和尚語錄 1.95

1.95

天基節上堂：「定乾坤句，今古共遵，擒虎兕機，聖凡莫辨。以此助無為之化，四海晏清；以此祝無上之尊，萬邦𭊷璧。時臨聖誕，預啟珍筵，一句無私，如何舉似？」卓主丈：「暗消溪畔雪，輕拆壠頭梅。」

Ascending the hall on the Tianji Festival: "The phrase that establishes heaven and earth is revered in both ancient and modern times; the mechanism that captures tigers and rhinos cannot be discerned by sage or ordinary being. By this, assisting the governance of non-action, the four seas are peaceful and clear; by this, congratulating the supreme venerable one, myriad realms bring jade discs. The holy birthday approaches, and the precious banquet is prepared in advance. As for the single unbiased phrase, how to express it?" Striking the staff, he said: "Quietly melting the snow by the brookside, lightly opening the plums atop the ridge."