虛堂和尚語錄 1.126

1.126

Ascending the hall, he cited: "Xuansha instructed the assembly: 'All quarters say they receive beings and benefit living creatures. If they suddenly encounter three kinds of sick persons, how will they receive them? For the blind, taking up the gavel and raising the whisk, they do not see; for the deaf, the samādhi of speech, they do not hear; for the mute, telling them to speak, they cannot speak. If you cannot receive them, the Buddhadharma has no efficacious power.'" The Master said, "In general, are illnesses limited to three kinds? Xuansha was afraid people could not receive them, and also worried that the Buddhadharma had no efficacious power. This old monk does not spare his eyebrows; let me try to receive these three kinds of people." He planted his staff: "Those who are blind, deaf, and mute, come forward!" He again planted his staff: "Do not let this old monk down! If you still do not understand, I will add another footnote for you." He planted his staff: "All my life, my heart and liver have poured out to others, yet our acquaintance is entirely like strangers."