虛堂和尚語錄 2.82

2.82

上堂，謝秉拂，僧問：「智與師齊，減師半德，智過於師，方堪傳授，那箇智過於師？」師云：「忽去忽來，坐斷今古。」僧云：「學人瞻仰有分。」師云：「合取狗口。」僧云：「若與麼，首座藏主遂成虛設。」師云：「不是苦心人不知。」僧云：「却較些子。」便禮拜，師云：「急抽頭，是好手。」

Ascending the hall to thank [the monk who] held the whisk, a monk asked: "'If one's wisdom equals the master's, one reduces the master's virtue by half; only when one's wisdom surpasses the master's is one worthy of transmission.' What kind of wisdom surpasses the master's?" The master said: "Suddenly going, suddenly coming, cutting off past and present." The monk said: "Then the student has a share in looking up with reverence." The master said: "Shut your dog mouth." The monk said: "If so, then the head monk and the keeper of the canon become utterly useless." The master said: "Unless one has taken great pains, one does not know." The monk said: "That is somewhat better." He then bowed. The master said: "Pulling one's head back quickly is the mark of a skilled hand."