虛堂和尚語錄 8.41

8.41

Ascending the hall to thank the monastic officers, a monk asked: "There are people on the east side and people on the west side; what about the middle?" The master said: "A dot as black as lacquer." The monk said: "How glad I am that Xutang takes up my word." The master said: "This old monk has always been a Liuxia Hui." The monk said: "If suddenly there is one who does not distinguish east from west nor north from south, would you still use him or not?" The master said: "How could I not use him?" The monk said: "What would you use him for?" The master said: "To tear down the eastern fence and patch the western screen." The monk said: "He may truly be called a patch-robed monk who has finished the business." The master said: "You must not interrupt."