虛堂和尚語錄 2.25

2.25

At the informal gathering for concluding the summer retreat, a monk asked: "The long period has ended, the cloth sack is opened; south of the river and north of the river remain water country as before; yellow leaves and yellow flowers are nothing but the colors of autumn. What about when the student departs just so?" The Master said, "Dig the ground and bury it deep." The monk said, "In that case, carrying the staff horizontally without looking back at anyone, I will head straight into thousands of peaks and myriads of peaks." The Master said, "Dew wets the straw sandals, making them heavy." The monk said, "If one does not cast fragrant bait, how can one know the depth of the jade-green pond?" The Master shouted; the monk bowed.