虛堂和尚語錄 9.77

9.77

解夏小參，僧問：「初秋夏末，布袋頭開，時節因緣，請師開示。」師云：「若不得流水，還應過別山。」僧云：「學人到此，何似不問好。」師云：「叮嚀損君德。」僧云：「馬大師因僧問：『離四句絕百非，請師直指西來意。』此意如何？」師云：「𢬵身入虎穴。」僧云：「馬師云：『我今日勞倦，不能為汝說，問取智藏。』又作麼生？」師云：「貪程太速，不覺落草。」僧云：「僧問藏，藏云：『我今日頭疼，不能為汝說，問取海兄。』此意如何？」師云：「神號鬼哭，禍及私門。」僧云：「僧問海，海云：『我到者裏，却不會。』又作麼生？」師云：「貶向無生國裏。」僧云：「馬大師父子各有病痛，還有人醫得否？」師云：「先醫得爾，方醫得他。」僧云：「學人無病，何必求醫？」師云：「通身是癩，不肯承當。」僧禮拜云：「謝師答話。」師云：「知過必改。」

At the informal gathering for concluding the summer retreat, a monk asked, "In early autumn and at the end of summer, the cloth bag opens. Concerning the conditions of the season, please, Master, provide instruction."
The Master said, "If not encountering flowing water, one must still cross another mountain."
The monk said, "Having arrived here, how could a student do better than not asking?"
The Master said, "Urgent admonishment harms your virtue."
The monk said, "Because a monk asked Great Master Ma, 'Free from the four propositions and cutting off the hundred negations, please, Master, point directly to the meaning of the Western Come-from-the-West,' what was his intention?"
The Master said, "Risking one's life to enter the tiger's den."
The monk said, "Master Ma said, 'I am exhausted today and cannot explain it for you; go ask Zhizang.' How about that?"
The Master said, "Coveting the journey too hastily, without realizing it one fell into the weeds."
The monk said, "The monk asked Zang, and Zang said, 'I have a headache today and cannot explain it for you; go ask Brother Hai.' What was his intention?"
The Master said, "Spirits wail and ghosts weep; disaster reaches one's own gate."
The monk said, "The monk asked Hai, and Hai said, 'When I reach this point, I don't understand either.' How about that?"
The Master said, "Exiled to the land of no-birth."
The monk said, "Great Master Ma, father and sons, each have their sickness; is there anyone who can cure them?"
The Master said, "Only when you are cured first can they be cured."
The monk said, "A student has no sickness; why seek a cure?"
The Master said, "Ulcerous sores over your entire body, yet unwilling to admit it."
The monk bowed and said, "Thank you, Master, for answering the question."
The Master said, "Knowing your error, you must correct it."