佛果圜悟禪師碧巖錄 10.31

10.31

"A golden Buddha does not pass through a furnace; / people come to visit Zihu." This line too finishes the eulogy. Why then bring in "people come to visit Zihu"? One must have the furnace and bellows of an adept before it works. Master Zihu erected a board at his mountain gate. On the board were written words saying: "Zihu has a dog: above, it takes a person's head; in the middle, it takes a person's waist; below, it takes a person's legs. If you hesitate, you forfeit body and life." Whenever he saw a newcomer arrive, he would shout, "Look out for the dog!" As soon as the monk turned his head, Zihu would return to the Abbot's quarters. But tell me: why could it not bite Zhaozhou? On another evening late at night, Zihu called out in the latrine, "Catch the thief! Catch the thief!" In the dark he ran into a monk, grabbed him by the chest, and said, "Caught you! Caught you!" The monk said, "Master, it's not me." Zihu said, "It is indeed you, only you are unwilling to acknowledge it." If you can understand this talk, I will grant that you can bite everyone to death, and everywhere the cool breeze will be brisk and awe-inspiring. If not, the few words on the sign will certainly be beyond your help. If you want to see him, you can only see him once you have penetrated through thoroughly. The verse says: