萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚頌古從容庵錄 2.43

2.43

The Master said: Chan Master Baoyun of Mount Luzu in Chizhou, whenever he saw a monk coming, would immediately face the wall. Since Bodhidharma's nine years, no one had carried out this order again. For now, it makes those everywhere who ask about the Buddhas and ask about the Patriarchs, the upward and the downward, all know a bit of pain and itch. Nanquan was his fellow practitioner; seeing that the man's needle and awl did not budge, he immediately pierced through from the side for him, saying: 'I constantly say to them: Undertake it before the empty kalpa! Understand it when no Buddha has yet appeared in the world! Still, one does not get a single one or half a one.' In intention, it seems he opens a crack, but in fact he has transmitted the Dharma decree on behalf of his attendant. He also said: 'If he goes on like this, even until the Year of the Donkey [nothing will come of it].' In intention, it seems he reproaches him for being too stark and steep, but in fact he praises his face-to-face entrustment. Have you not heard it said: 'Even if you can explain it a hundred percent, how could that compare to arriving in person once?' Therefore, Spiritual Mountain was like painting the moon, and Caoxi was like pointing at the moon. How could they compare to Luzu in the Crystal Palace, inside the Hall of Vast Cold, opening his lapels and meeting face to face? Baofu saw the flaw in Nanquan and Luzu, and asked Changqing, 'As for Luzu, where was his measure, that he was spoken of like this by Nanquan?' Wansong says: How did Baofu come to speak the two words 'measure'? If not one who can distinguish spring and autumn on a budless branch, it would be difficult to pose this question. Changqing replied, 'Stepping back to yield to others—not one in ten thousand.' Wansong says: The ancients had such clear eyes! Xuanjue said, 'Was Nanquan singing in harmony, or was he not assenting?' Wansong says: Half-hiding and half-revealing, one cannot deceive him in the slightest. Cuiyan Zhi said, 'Why labor like this?' Wansong says: He has already set up the mold and drawn the pattern. He also said, 'If a monk comes, what does he see?' Wansong says: Still suspecting it is too little. He further said, 'It is good to know the season.' Wansong says: If it were Tao Yuanming, he would knit his brows and go home at once. He also said, 'With me, it is not so: before the womb is complete, you cannot understand; if you understand, I will break your back!' Wansong says: Whom does the Venerable's staff teach to take the beating? Luoshan said, 'If Old Master Wang [Nanquan] had seen him at that time, he should have given him five fire-tongs on his back, because he understands how to let loose, but does not understand how to gather in.' Wansong says: Rising early at the fifth watch, there are already night travelers on the road. Xuansha said, 'If I had seen him at that time, I would also have given him five fire-tongs.' Wansong says: Vexing the spring breeze, it never ceases. Yunju Xi said, 'Luoshan and Xuansha both spoke like this. Was it the same, or is there another principle?' Wansong says: In total, ten fire-tongs. He also said, 'If you can pick it out, I grant that you, Elder, have a place to go in the Buddha-Dharma.' Wansong says: Good to give five fire-tongs! All of you, look: Nanquan so depreciated Luzu, yet Changqing said, 'It is precisely stepping back to yield to others.' Luzu barred the pass, yet Luoshan said, 'He understands how to let loose, but does not understand how to gather in.' All of this is casting a net before the fish arrives, and drawing a bow after the thief has passed. Look further at what Tiantong does toward this. The verse says: