虛堂和尚語錄 5.81

5.81

Deng Yinfeng took his leave of Mazu. Mazu said, "Where are you going?" Feng said, "To Shitou." Mazu said, "The road at Shitou (Stone Head) is slippery." Feng said, "I carry an acrobat's pole with me; I play my scene as the occasion arises." He then departed. Arriving at Shitou, he circled the meditation bed once, shook his staff once, and asked, "What is the fundamental doctrine?" Shitou said, "Blue heaven! Blue heaven!" Feng was speechless. He returned and related this to Mazu. Mazu said, "Go again; wait until he says 'Blue heaven! Blue heaven!', and you hiss twice." Feng went again, and asked as before. Shitou then hissed twice; Feng was speechless again. He returned and related this to Mazu. Mazu said, "I told you that the road at Shitou is slippery."