虛堂和尚語錄 9.56

9.56

At an informal gathering on a winter night, a monk asked: "Guishan asked Yangshan, 'The severe cold of midwinter is an annual occurrence. What about the shifting movements of the sun's shadow?' Yangshan folded his hands, stepped forward, and stood." The master said: "When the father stole a sheep, the son bore witness to it." The monk said: "Guishan said, 'I knew well you could not answer this talk.'" The master said: "Father and son of one family: the harmonious atmosphere is like spring." The monk said: "When Xiangyan came in, Guishan cited the previous conversation. Xiangyan said, 'I, on the contrary, can answer this talk.' Guishan cited it again, and Xiangyan also folded his hands, stepped forward, and stood. What is the meaning of this?" The master said: "Where Lilou walks, the waves billow to heaven." The monk said: "Guishan said, 'Fortunately, I happened upon Jizi, who did not understand.'" The master said: "The arm never bends outward." The monk said: "Tonight, if someone suddenly comes out and asks the upādhyāya: 'The severe cold of midwinter is an annual occurrence. What about the shifting movements of the sun's shadow?' how would you answer him?" The master said: "The old monk would only answer him like that." The monk said: "In the end, how would you answer?" The master said: "The sword is long gone." The monk bowed.