宏智禪師廣錄 6.55

6.55

Ever since the buddhas and patriarchs, fundamentally there has been neither monk nor layperson; rather, everyone possesses the authentic ground of personal realization and true attainment. This is called 'entering the buddha-mind school' and 'penetrating to the bottom of the Dharma's source.' Old Lu was a woodcutter; as soon as he reached Huangmei, he immediately said, 'I wish to become a buddha.' In the ancestral mill room he carried the pestle on his back, until the mirror of the mind was entirely free from defilement, its self-illumination distinct and clear. In the middle of the night the robe was transmitted, and he crossed the Dayu Ridge. When the robe of faith was laid down, Senior Monk Ming could not lift it despite all his strength. Only then did he realize that this man had personally realized and truly attained it. Nowadays, just do not defer to the worthy or yield to the sages. Just like wearing clothes and eating food, let there be no disparate thoughts from moment to moment, nor permit any defilement from mind to mind. Cast off the body in the kalpa of emptiness, let go of your hands at the sheer cliff, penetrate sense faculties and dusts, and fathom from summit to bottom. Bright alone, illuminating independently, vast and thorough, wonderfully abiding, naturally the flower of the mind will open and shine, manifesting throughout the lands. When has there ever been separation or alteration? Then you can enter among different kinds and walk the bird's path, unhindered and fully at ease.