虛堂和尚語錄 1.15

1.15

On the occasion of Prefect Wu, the First Graduate, having a stone tablet erected for the official document exempting the reed tax, [the Master] ascended the hall, took up the staff, and said: 'The yellow-faced old fellow met with trouble right from the start; deep in the Snowy Mountains, for six years he could not lift his feet. Afterwards, at over three hundred and sixty assemblies, he spoke out entangling vines, but in the end could never wash them clear. Great Master Bodhidharma came to this land from the Western Heaven across a hundred thousand li of waters and clouds; that was already inconvenient, and for no reason he stepped forward and trod down, causing branches and leaves to sprout all the more. Who knew that two thousand years later, it would implicate Xingsheng Monastery, where fences collapsed and walls fell, the road was cut off and people were scarce? Fortunately, meeting with dragons and clouds, a powerful person without using an inch of blade cut down the grass and removed the roots, whereupon one sees the peaceful reign attained and sings the days of Shun. Although it is like this, tell me: what is the evidence?' Striking the staff: 'The official pass is distinctly clear.'