虛堂和尚語錄 9.8

9.8

He also cited: "Venerable Muzhou, because Xifeng came to visit, set out tea and fruit, and during their conversation on the Way, Muzhou said, 'Where did the Venerable reside for the summer this year?' Xifeng said, 'Lanxi.' Muzhou said, 'How many in the assembly?' Xifeng said, 'Over seventy monks.' Muzhou said, 'Throughout the day, what do you show the disciples?' Xifeng held up a mandarin orange. Muzhou said, 'What deadly hurry is this?'" He brought it up and said: "Although Muzhou did not use the perilous dynamic of crushing Yunmen's foot, nevertheless host and guest were distinctly clear. If someone were suddenly to ask, 'How many are in Jingshan's assembly this summer?'—inside and outside, over seven hundred monks. If they suddenly asked again, 'Usually, what do you show the disciples?'—right along with the voice, a shout! Wait for them to hesitate, and then say: 'Under the gate of Jingshan, who dares pluck the tiger's whiskers?'"