虛堂和尚語錄 3.27

3.27

At the informal gathering for concluding the summer retreat, [the master said]: "Preventing small matters and stopping them before they sprout, penetrating and clear—this too is ripples stirred without wind; furthermore, setting rules and dwelling in retreat, how is it different from smashing a pearl to seek its reflection? For patch-robed monks, wisdom roams beyond appearances, subtlety enters the ring's center, exposing the unarisen state of sentient beings and Buddhas, not falling into the ruts of past and present. Why speak of the eels' pool being deep and pure, or the jade table being lofty and cold? Even if you raise your head, the withered mulberry has already turned into water. Yuwang's announcement like this does not exceed ordinary feelings; just as for the phrase 'determining a period to attain realization,' how is it?" Striking his staff, he said: "'Skillful at emulating Liu Xiahui, / never following in his footsteps.'"