虛堂和尚語錄 9.77

9.77

At the informal gathering for concluding the summer retreat, a monk asked, "In early autumn and at the end of summer, the cloth bag opens. Concerning the conditions of the season, please, Master, provide instruction."
The Master said, "If not encountering flowing water, one must still cross another mountain."
The monk said, "Having arrived here, how could a student do better than not asking?"
The Master said, "Urgent admonishment harms your virtue."
The monk said, "Because a monk asked Great Master Ma, 'Free from the four propositions and cutting off the hundred negations, please, Master, point directly to the meaning of the Western Come-from-the-West,' what was his intention?"
The Master said, "Risking one's life to enter the tiger's den."
The monk said, "Master Ma said, 'I am exhausted today and cannot explain it for you; go ask Zhizang.' How about that?"
The Master said, "Coveting the journey too hastily, without realizing it one fell into the weeds."
The monk said, "The monk asked Zang, and Zang said, 'I have a headache today and cannot explain it for you; go ask Brother Hai.' What was his intention?"
The Master said, "Spirits wail and ghosts weep; disaster reaches one's own gate."
The monk said, "The monk asked Hai, and Hai said, 'When I reach this point, I don't understand either.' How about that?"
The Master said, "Exiled to the land of no-birth."
The monk said, "Great Master Ma, father and sons, each have their sickness; is there anyone who can cure them?"
The Master said, "Only when you are cured first can they be cured."
The monk said, "A student has no sickness; why seek a cure?"
The Master said, "Ulcerous sores over your entire body, yet unwilling to admit it."
The monk bowed and said, "Thank you, Master, for answering the question."
The Master said, "Knowing your error, you must correct it."