虛堂和尚語錄 9.88

9.88

開爐移眾僧單鉢歸千僧閣，上堂：「建大廈，非鉅材難以任重責；安廣眾，非海量難以納眾流。從頭改作，赤手變通，大覺寮不許重鑰案櫝，千僧閣，只排三百餘單，但得爐中之火有種，自然暖氣相洽。既是千僧閣，因甚只安三百單？」卓主丈。

Opening the stove and moving the monks' places and bowls to return to the Thousand-Monk Pavilion, ascending the hall: "To build a great mansion, without massive timber it is difficult to shoulder the heavy task; to settle a vast assembly, without an ocean's capacity it is difficult to receive the many streams. Renovating from the beginning, adapting empty-handed. The Dajue Quarters do not allow multiple locks on desks and cases; the Thousand-Monk Pavilion only arranges some three hundred places. If only the fire in the stove has its spark, natural warmth will blend together. Since it is the Thousand-Monk Pavilion, why only settle three hundred places?" He struck with his staff.