宏智禪師廣錄 4.282

4.282

上堂舉僧問智門。蓮華未出水時如何。門云。蓮華出水後如何。門云荷葉。師云。莫向枯龜版上鎖。衲僧開口見心肝。蓮華荷葉出未出。做盡工夫轉覺難。

Ascending the hall, he cited: A monk asked Zhimen, "How is it before the lotus flower has emerged from the water?" Men said, "A lotus flower." "How is it after it has emerged from the water?" Men said, "Lotus leaves." The Master said: "Do not lock onto a dried turtle shell; patch-robed monks open their mouths and their heart and liver are seen. The lotus flower and lotus leaves, emerged or not yet emerged—exhausting all one's effort, it feels all the harder."