宏智禪師廣錄 2.87

2.87

When Luopu was approaching death, he instructed the assembly, saying, "Now there is one matter I ask of you all. If this is right, it is placing a head on top of a head. If you say it is not right, it is severing the head to seek life." At that time the head monk said, "The green mountain always lifts its foot; beneath the sun one does not light a lamp." Pu said, "What time is it to speak such words?" Senior Monk Yancong came forward and said, "Departing from these two paths, I request the master not to ask." Pu said, "Not yet; speak further." Cong said, "I cannot speak it completely." Pu said, "I do not care whether you speak it completely or incompletely." Cong said, "I have no attendant to respond to the venerable priest." Pu then stopped. That evening, he called Senior Monk Cong and asked, "Your response today had great cause and reason. It surely embodies what my late master said: 'Before the eyes there are no phenomena; the intention is before the eyes. It is not phenomena before the eyes, beyond the reach of ears and eyes.' Now tell me, which phrase is the guest, and which phrase is the host? If you can discern this, I will entrust the bowl-bag to you." Cong said, "I do not understand." Pu said, "You ought to understand." Cong said, "Truly, I do not understand." Pu shouted him out, saying, "Bitter! Bitter!" A monk asked, "What is the venerable priest's intention?" Pu said, "The boat of compassion does not row upon clear waves; in the sword gorges it is in vain to release a wooden duck." The ode says: