虛堂和尚語錄 9.122

9.122

Ascending the hall at mid-summer: "When phenomena reach the ultimate point, they are difficult to speak of; when principle reaches the ultimate point, it is difficult to clarify. When phenomena reach the ultimate point, they are difficult to speak of—with eyes like rivers and mouths like seas, they billow forth at will. When principle reaches the ultimate point, it is difficult to clarify—clouds steam and the moon halos; waters grow lean and mountains grow lush. How can both realms be brought into mutual accord? If a patch-robed monk should suddenly come forth and say, 'Even if phenomena and principle are both obliterated, that is still treating illness with medicine,' the mountain monk would say to him: 'Are you aconite root? Or pinellia tuber?' Waiting for him to hesitate, I would raise the staff and strike."