虛堂和尚語錄 1.97

1.97

除夜小參：「去年貧未是貧，守株待兔。今年貧始是貧，認賊為子。去年貧，無卓錐之地，癩狗繫枯椿。今年貧錐子也無，和贓納欵。與麼與麼，三百六十日，循環不已；不與麼不與麼，七十二氣候去，復還來抱橋柱澡洗底，到底不知。依樣畫胡蘆底，轉增妄想，直饒輥到結交頭，依舊眼睛烏律律。報恩莫有方便麼？」卓主丈：「皇天苦屈。」

An informal gathering on New Year's Eve: "Last year's poverty was not yet poverty: guarding the stump waiting for a rabbit. This year's poverty is truly poverty: mistaking a thief for one's son. Last year poor: not an inch of ground to plant an awl—a mangy dog tied to a withered stump. This year poor: not even an awl—surrendering the stolen goods and signing a confession. Like this, like this: three hundred and sixty days revolving without end. Not like this, not like this: the seventy-two seasonal pentads depart and return again. Those who wash while hugging the bridge pillar never understand in the end. Those who paint a calabash according to the model merely increase their delusions. Even if they tumble right into the boundary between the years, their eyes remain pitch-black. Does Bao'en have an expedient means?" Striking the staff, he said: "Heaven above, what a bitter injustice!"