虛堂和尚語錄 3.132

3.132

Informal gathering on New Year's Eve. A monk asked: "'The year has run out and the calendar presses hard; the turtle climbs up the wall'—is this not the Venerable's saying?" The Master said, "Old in years and lonely at heart, a momentary mess." The monk said, "Is there still a turning point?" The Master said, "If there is, there is; but there is no place for you to plant your feet." The monk said, "Much like a guest under the gate of Jingshan." The Master said, "How many people have misunderstood the topic!" The monk said, "Beichan boiled the white ox on the open ground to see out the old year. What will the Venerable use tonight to see out the old year with everyone?" The Master said, "The one on the left at the foot of Dongshan." The monk said, "In that case, the great assembly is fully sated with your virtue." He then bowed. The Master said, "Greedy for too much, you do not chew it fine."