虛堂和尚語錄 1.110

1.110

The Master entered the monastery and ascended the hall. After paying respects to the Emperor, he then pinched incense, offering it on behalf of the Merit Patron who converted the monastery from Vinaya to Chan, the Reader-in-Waiting Minister, to assist his emoluments and lifespan. The Master took his seat and said: "Gazing with blue lotus eyes, a subtle smile recognized the destination; transmitted successively from generation to generation, spreading branches is hard to portray. Directly causing heaven to turn and earth to spin, tigers to roar and dragons to chant, the pearls of Hepu to return, and cloud-clad mountains to transform in appearance! Therefore it is said: 'A great person possesses great wisdom; great capacity attains great function.' Cutting down a beehive into a lion's den, transforming thorn brambles into a grove of sandalwood; fragrant breezes drift everywhere, while foxes and rabbits conceal their tracks. With this we establish the Dharma banner and erect the ancestral tradition; with this we repay ruler and kin and assist the sacred transformation. Although this is so, how is the single phrase for the joyous meeting of ruler and minister?" Striking the whisk, he said: "The roc of ninety thousand leagues has just spread its wings; the crane of a thousand years is made to soar."