虛堂和尚語錄 2.9

2.9

The Master ascended the hall, completed the prayer for the Emperor, and took his seat, saying: "Generally, one who is skilled in archery must hit the bullseye with every shot; if it does not hit the mark, burying the feathers in vain is useless. Is there anyone skilled in archery? Try shooting an arrow and let us see!" A monk asked, "Not descending from heaven, not welling up from the earth—from where does Mount Sumeru come?" The Master said, "It abruptly protrudes, hard to distinguish." The monk said, "I will simply take this true news to pray for our Emperor's hundred million springs." The Master said, "The nest knows wind; the burrow knows rain." The monk said, "Shuangchou is a superb place, the realm where the Great Being manifested his teaching. As the distant descendant of Ying'an, today Xutang steps high in his footsteps. Is it truly verified or not?" The Master said, "Falsely accusing another of a crime brings the penalty upon oneself." The monk said, "What can be done when right and wrong have already fallen upon the ears of bystanders, so that even turning the Heavenly River would not wash it clean?" The Master said, "A flushed face is not as good as straight speech." The monk said, "What expedient means does the Upādhyāya have in response to the prefect and vice minister requesting the Upādhyāya to dwell on this celebrated mountain?" The Master said, "The sword is held in the hand of the steamer."
The monk said, "Do you also permit the student to reveal some news?" The Master said, "Where the cuckoo cries, flowers are scattered in disarray." The monk bowed.