虛堂和尚語錄 1.114

1.114

He then cited: "Zhaozhou was asked by a monk, 'What is the intention of the ancestral master coming from the west?' Zhou said, 'The cypress tree in the courtyard.' The monk said, 'Upādhyāya, do not use objects to show people.' Zhou said, 'I am not using objects to show people.' The monk said, 'What is the intention of the ancestral master coming from the west?' Zhou said, 'The cypress tree in the courtyard.'" The Master said, "Zhaozhou cut off himself to benefit others; a bright night-shining pearl is often met with a hand on the sword. If someone suddenly asks Xianxiao, 'What is the intention of the ancestral master coming from the west?' I would only say to him, 'Deep in the mountains there are no passing travelers; all day long one hears the gibbons cry.'"