萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚頌古從容庵錄 1.143

1.143

The Master said: Chan Master Guichen of the Luohan Monastery in Zhangzhou: Lord Wang, Governor of Zhangzhou, built the Dizang Monastery on the stone mountain west of the city of Min and invited the Master to reside there. After more than a decade he moved to Luohan in Zhangzhou; thus the Master was also named Dizang. Mountain Master Xiu, Fayan, Wukong, and Mountain Master Jin made friends and went outside the lakes. Reaching Zhangzhou, they were blocked by rain and snow, and the streams flooded. They lodged at the Dizang Monastery west of the city. Gathering around the hearth, they looked at Dizang as if no one were there. Dizang, wishing to test them, also came close to the fire and said, 'May I ask a question about something?' Xiu said, 'If there is a matter, please ask.' Dizang said, 'Are the mountains, rivers, and the great earth identical with or different from the venerable elders?' Xiu said, 'They are different.' Dizang held up two fingers. Xiu hurriedly said, 'They are identical, they are identical!' Dizang also held up two fingers and stood up to leave. Fayan said, 'What was the meaning of the abbot holding up two fingers?' Xiu said, 'He gave it at random.' Fayan said, 'You must not recklessly belittle him with a coarse mind.' Xiu said, 'How could there be elephant tusks in a rat's mouth?' The next day they took their leave and went forward to their lodging place. Fayan said, 'Brothers, go on ahead. I will rely on Dizang; perhaps there is something superior. If not, I will come seek you again.' Fayan had already trained for a long time when Xiu and the other three also arrived at Dizang's. He then asked, 'How is the Buddha Dharma in the south these days?' At that time, it would have been best to say, 'It is just like an ordinary day in these parts.' Yet he said, 'Discussions are surging and roaring.' He stuck his neck out without even realizing it. Dizang said, 'How can that compare to my planting fields here to barter for rice to eat?' At that time, it would have been best to say, 'If so, then it is not only the south.' But he further said, 'What can be done about the triple realm?' He dragged down those Chan guests of the south, not even ridding himself of vulgarity. Out of compassion, Dizang made talk that fell into the weeds, saying, 'What do you call the triple realm?' It would have been better had he merely said, 'This old monk is busy planting fields,' saving himself from having Tiantong take it up as an indictment. The verse says: