虛堂和尚語錄 10.2

10.2

When the Master entered Jingci and mounted the seat, after the dialogue had ended, suddenly an imperial commissioner arrived at the gate transmitting the imperial decree, asking: "Why did Zhaozhou undertake itinerant pilgrimage at eighty, and why did Xutang dwell on the mountain at eighty?" The Master then cited: "One day during his pilgrimage, Zhaozhou arrived at Linji. Just as he was washing his feet, Linji asked: 'What is the meaning of the Ancestral Teacher's coming from the West?' Zhaozhou said: 'It just coincides with this old monk washing his feet.' Linji stepped forward making a listening gesture. Zhaozhou said: 'If you understand, then understand right away; why savor and chew?' Linji returned to the abbot's quarters and shut the door. Zhaozhou said: 'This old monk has made an itinerant pilgrimage at eighty, and today I have been tackled by this donkey.'" He then composed a verse. The imperial commissioner, General Yang, reported it to the throne, and the imperial countenance was greatly pleased. He specially bestowed five hundred piculs of rice and one hundred bolts of silk to open the hall and settle the assembly. Subsequently, as provisions were lacking and the monks' hall was dilapidated and leaking, an imperial memorial was submitted. Humbly receiving imperial favor, wet paddies yielding an annual rent of over thirty piculs were allocated and granted, exempt from official taxes, and one hundred thousand strings of paper currency were also issued to rebuild the monks' hall. The verse said: