虛堂和尚語錄 10.112

10.112

霜嚴氣烈，山空月明，涵養有得，剗削不平，拈起則佛祖不識，放下也草木爭榮，捱到凌霄八十四，誰知名重九重城。咄。

The frost is severe and the vapor fierce; the mountains are desolate and the moon is bright. / Inner nurture has brought realization, leveling every disparity. / When held up, buddhas and patriarchs do not recognize it; / When put down, even the grass and trees vie in flourishing. / Having pressed forward to Lingxiao at eighty-four, / Who knew his name would carry weight within the nine-fold court? Bah!