虛堂和尚語錄 3.115

3.115

師乃云：「時康道泰，天清地寧，一人端拱無為，萬物各得其所，岩間野客，悉荷皇恩，唱太平歌，和村田樂，何必麒麟現瑞、鳳凰來儀？但願帝道平平，自然風物楚楚。且知恩報恩一句作麼生？」卓主丈云：「妙唱以資天子壽，爐煙為瑞國風清。」

The Master then said: "The times are prosperous and the Way is exalted; heaven is clear and earth is peaceful. The One Man folds his hands in non-action, and the ten thousand things each find their proper place. The rustic guests among the crags all receive the imperial favor, singing songs of great peace and harmonizing with the rustic village tunes. Why must the qilin appear as an omen, or the phoenix arrive in elegance? We only wish that the imperial way remains level, and naturally the landscape will be lovely. Furthermore, what is the single phrase for knowing gratitude and repaying gratitude?" Striking his staff, he said: "A wondrous song to support the Son of Heaven's longevity; incense smoke rising as an omen of a pure nation's ethos."