萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚頌古從容庵錄 2.55

2.55

The Master said: Chan Master Qi'an of Zhenguo Haichang Monastery in Yanguan County, Hangzhou, was originally of the imperial lineage of the Tang. When Emperor Xuanzong was in hiding as a monk, he was about to visit the Master. Knowing this in advance, the Master told the director of affairs to strictly forbid idle chatter and prohibit unruly behavior. The Emperor stayed for a long time and then suddenly took his leave. The Master said to him secretly, "The time has arrived; do not remain coiled in the mud," and also entrusted him with the future affairs of the Buddhadharma. When Emperor Wuzong suppressed the teaching for six years, Emperor Xuanzong revived it; the Master's influence in this was significant. When the Emperor was about to summon the Master to the palace to make offerings to him, the Master had already passed away long before. In deep sorrow, the Emperor posthumously conferred on him the title "Chan Master Wukong." / One day, the Master called to his attendant, "Bring me the rhinoceros-horn fan." / The attendant said, "The fan is broken." This too was an ordinary conversation between father and son. / The Master said, "Since the fan is broken, bring me back the rhinoceros." This was entering the weeds with his whole body, an occasion for nurturing his child. / The attendant had no reply. This was indeed "hitting the mark by way of the crooked," but he simply did not recognize it in himself. / Touzi said in his place, "I would not refuse to bring it out, but I fear its head and horns would not be complete." / Wansong says: He is skilled at mending. / Xuedou brought this up and said, "I want the head and horns that are not complete." / Wansong says: It is an old object from our own house. / Shishuang said, "If returned to the Venerable, there would be none at all." / Wansong says: Denying it to his face. / Xuedou brought this up and said, "The rhinoceros is still there." / Wansong says: One with clear eyes is hard to deceive. / Baofu said, "The Venerable is advanced in years; it would be better to invite someone else." / Wansong says: Deep gratitude breeds deep resentment. / Xuedou brought this up and said, "A pity: toil without reward." / Wansong says: Good intentions do not receive a good reward. / Judging by this pack of old fellows, they speak of principle in vain, yet in the end they never manage to produce either fan or rhinoceros. Only Zifu drew a circle and wrote the character 'ox' inside it. Fan and rhinoceros—brand-new and unmoving. / Xuedou brought this up and said, "Why didn't you bring it out just now?" In fact, when he said, "The fan is broken," how had it ever moved in the slightest? Not bringing it out just now—how was it ever lacking? Bringing it out now—neither was anything added. / Tiantong praises Zifu for being able to bring it out and use it intimately; calling him out by name, he specially brews a critique. His verse says: