虛堂和尚語錄 9.109

9.109

Ascending the hall to thank Lady Ma for donating forty meditation benches for the saṃgha hall and to the bhikṣuṇīs, a monk asked: "What is the intention of the Patriarch coming from the west?" The master said: "A single arrowhead breaks through the three barriers, clearly marking the path behind the arrow." The monk said: "A monk asked Zhaozhou: 'What is the intention of the Patriarch coming from the west?' Zhou said: 'The cypress tree in front of the courtyard.' What is the meaning of this?" The master said: "Expedient means for people surpass cultivation." The monk said: "A monk asked Yunmen: 'When not a single thought arises, is there still any fault?' Yunmen said: 'Mount Sumeru.' What about this?" The master said: "Su Wu returns holding the Han imperial tally." The monk bowed.