虛堂和尚語錄 3.128

3.128

冬夜小參，僧問：「冬至一陽生，東山水上行，時節因緣，願聞法要。」答云：「也只是一定之法。」僧云：「既是東山水上行，因甚麼却成一定之法？」答云：「老僧口是禍門。」僧云：「洞山冬夜果子次，問首座：『有一物黑似漆，常在動用中，動用中收不得，且道過在什麼處？』座云：『過在動用中。』洞山令掇退果卓，此意如何？」答云：「官馬廝踢。」僧云：「今夜和尚忽然問首座：『有一物黑似漆，常在動用中，動用中收不得，且道過在什麼處？』徑山首座亦云：『過在動用中。』又作麼生？」答云：「與他兩盤果子。」僧云：「只如洞山掇退果卓，徑山又添一盤，還有優劣也無？」答云：「蓋他是箇檐版漢。」僧云：「學人今夜，借大眾威光，別置一問得麼？」答云：「偷心鬼子得人憎。」僧便喝，答云：「果然。」僧禮拜。

At the informal gathering on a winter night, a monk asked: "At the winter solstice, the one yang arises; the Eastern Mountain walks on the water. Given the conditions of the season, we wish to hear the essential Dharma." The Master answered: "It is also just a fixed dharma." The monk said: "Since the Eastern Mountain walks on the water, why does it become a fixed dharma?" The Master answered: "This old monk's mouth is the gate of misfortune." The monk said: "When Dongshan was having fruit on a winter night, he asked the head monk: 'There is a thing black as lacquer, constantly in active use; in active use it cannot be contained. Tell me, where does the fault lie?' The head monk said: 'The fault lies in active use.' Dongshan ordered the fruit table to be removed. What is the meaning of this?" The Master answered: "Official horses kicking one another." The monk said: "Tonight, if the Venerable suddenly asks the head monk: 'There is a thing black as lacquer, constantly in active use; in active use it cannot be contained. Tell me, where does the fault lie?' And the head monk of Jingshan also says: 'The fault lies in active use.' What about that?" The Master answered: "Give him two trays of fruit." The monk said: "As Dongshan removed the fruit table, while Jingshan adds another tray, is there any superiority or inferiority?" The Master answered: "Because he is a fellow carrying a plank." The monk said: "May this student tonight borrow the awe-inspiring brilliance of the great assembly to pose another question?" The Master answered: "A thieving ghost is detested by people." The monk then shouted. The Master answered: "Indeed." The monk made bows.