虛堂和尚語錄 8.85

8.85

謝賜田上堂：「八家為井，十字添圍，人人知道，靈苗異草，從地發生，因甚拈匙放箸，又却瑳過？四郡九邑，總作一處取功，別甑炊香，只要普同供養。九重降旨，闔國咸知，本色衲僧，將何論報？」卓主丈：「行到水窮處，坐看雲起時。」

Giving thanks for the bestowed fields, he ascended the hall: "Eight households make a well; the character 'ten' adds a border. Everyone knows that spiritual sprouts and rare grasses grow forth from the earth; why, upon picking up a spoon and setting down chopsticks, do they miss it instead? The four commanderies and nine districts together contribute their merit in one place; boiling fragrance in a separate steamer is simply for making a universal offering. The Ninefold Sovereign sends down an imperial decree, known throughout the entire nation. How will genuine patch-robed monks repay it?" He struck with his staff: "'Walking to where the water ends, sitting to watch when clouds arise.'"