虛堂和尚語錄 1.82

1.82

He further cited: "In ancient times there was an elder venerable who did not speak to the monks for a whole summer. A monk sighed and said, 'I have spent an entire summer in vain like this. I dare not hope that the Upādhyāya would preach the Buddha Dharma, but even hearing the two words "correct cause" would suffice.' The elder venerable heard this and said, 'Ācārya, do not speak rashly! When it comes to the correct cause, there is not even a single word.' Having spoken, he clattered his teeth and said, 'I spoke thus for no reason.' An elder venerable next door heard this and said, 'Such a fine pot of stew, ruined by two pieces of rat droppings!'" The Master said, "Three board-carrying fellows, yet one was slightly better. At Bao'en, for the whole summer the drum has hung waiting for the mallet, but nobody has asked about the two words 'Buddha Dharma'. Why is that? If one does not enter the water, how can one see a tall person?"