佛果圜悟禪師碧巖錄 7.19

7.19

"The gong'an completed, he came to ask Zhaozhou." The Hall Director Qing said, "It is like someone settling a case: eight blows of the staff are eight blows, thirteen are thirteen—it was already decided. Yet he brought it up to ask Zhaozhou." Zhaozhou was someone of his household; he understood Nanquan's essential intent. He was someone who had penetrated completely through; bumping and striking against it, he immediately turned. Possessing the eyes and brains of an authentic master, the moment he heard it brought up, he kicked it away and departed. Xuedou says, "In the city of Chang'an he strolled about freely at ease." He reveals not a little leaking! An ancient said, "Though Chang'an is pleasant, it is not a place to stay long." And another said, "Chang'an is extremely noisy, while my state is completely tranquil." One must indeed recognize the dynamic opportune moment and distinguish good fortune from ill before one can attain this. "With straw sandals placed atop his head, no one understood." The place of putting straw sandals on the head—this bit, though it has not many matters, yet it is said, "Only I can know it, only I can verify it." Only then can one see where Nanquan, Zhaozhou, and Xuedou were together in attainment and together in application. And tell me, how will you understand it now? "Returning to his native mountain, he immediately desisted." What place is the native mountain? If he had not understood, he certainly would not have spoken thus; since he did understand, tell me, where is the native mountain? [The master] then struck.