虛堂和尚語錄 9.123

9.123

Ascending the hall for the raising of the ridgepole of the Thousand Monks Hall, a monk asked: "It is recorded that when the World-Honoured One was on the causal ground, he spread his hair over the mud and offered flowers to Dīpaṃkara Buddha. What is the meaning of this?" The Master said: "Striking a burnt brick freezes it straight to the bottom." The monk said: "Then Dīpaṃkara Buddha pointed to the place where the hair was spread and said, 'A monastery should be built on this spot.' How about this?" The Master said: "Trouble arises from instructions." The monk said: "In the assembly there was the elder Xiānyú, who took a marker and plunged it into the pointed spot, saying, 'The building of the Buddhist monastery is finished.' What is the meaning of this?" The Master said: "A divine steed does not require the shadow of the whip." The monk said: "As for the Upādhyāya's noble construction of the Thousand Monks Hall, how far is it from Xiānyú?" The Master said: "Taller than him by a head." The monk said: "If so, then the devas scatter flowers and share in praising it." The Master said: "Take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Saṃgha." The monk bowed. The Master said: "Hūṃ, hūṃ."