萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚頌古從容庵錄 1.101

1.101

The Master said: Chan Master Xingsi of Mount Qingyuan in Jizhou first called upon the Sixth Patriarch and asked, "What task should one apply oneself to so as not to fall into stages?"
The Patriarch said, "What have you been doing up to now?"
Qingyuan said, "I do not even practice the noble truths."
The Patriarch said, "Into what stage do you fall?"
Qingyuan said, "When even the noble truths are not practiced, what stages could there be?"
The Patriarch deeply regarded his capacity. Although the disciples in his assembly were many, the Master sat at their head. It was just like the Second Patriarch remaining silent, of which Shaolin said he had obtained the marrow.
Judging by this monk asking about the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma, he too was an adept freshly entering the monasteries, wishing to follow Mañjuśrī on a tour of Mount Cakravāḍa.
Qingyuan was a person who 'does not even practice the noble truths', yet he merely made the ordinary greeting and asked, 'What is the price of rice in Luling?'
Some say, 'The price of rice in Luling does not permit bargaining.' Little do they realize they have already entered the bushel-and-peck shop!
If you wish not to enter this mutual-aid association, ask Tiantong.
His verse says: