佛果圜悟禪師碧巖錄 5.38

5.38

"The incoming question was like the wind; responding to the dynamic occasion, he lacked skillful means." The place where the Grand Tutor asked was like swinging an axe to make a wind. This comes from Zhuangzi: A man of Ying had a tiny hole left when plastering a wall, so he rolled some mud and threw it to patch it. At that time, a bit of mud fell on the tip of his nose. A craftsman standing by said, "Sir, you patch holes very skillfully; I will swing my axe to remove the mud from the tip of your nose for you." The mud on the tip of his nose was like a fly's wing. He let the craftsman chop it. The craftsman swung his axe, generating a wind as he chopped it; he removed all the mud without harming the nose, while the man of Ying stood without losing his composure. This is called both being subtle and skilled. Although Senior Monk Lang responded to his dynamic occasion, his words lacked skillful means. Therefore Xuedou said: "The incoming question was like the wind; responding to the dynamic occasion, he lacked skillful means. Pitiable is the One-Eyed Dragon, who never revealed his fangs and claws." What Mingzhao said was also exceedingly extraordinary, yet what could be done about not possessing the claws and fangs that grasp the clouds and seize the mist? Standing by, Xuedou did not agree; unable to restrain himself, he vented steam on his behalf. Xuedou secretly harmonized with his intent, and eulogized his own words of kicking over the tea brazier: "Once the fangs and claws unfold, clouds and thunder are born! How many times has he weathered waves against the current?" Yunmen said: "I do not expect you to have waves against the current; if only you have the intention to go with the current, that too will do." Therefore it is said: "If comprehended under a living phrase, you will never be deluded for eternal kalpas." The phrases of Senior Monk Lang and Mingzhao seem dead; if you wish to see the living place, just look at Xuedou kicking over the tea brazier.