萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚頌古從容庵錄 3.70

3.70

The Master said: Severing the talk, cutting away the intent of the question, illumination and function simultaneous, taking away both person and environment—Yantou had work that surpassed the teacher. Yangzi says: 'The sage transforms like a tiger, his patterns brilliant; the gentleman transforms like a leopard, his patterns luxuriant; the dialectician transforms like a wildcat, his patterns gathered.' The wildcat transforming becomes a leopard; the leopard transforming becomes a tiger. The dark leopard of the Southern Mountains conceals itself in mist and transforms its patterns. Liu Xiang's *Biographies of Exemplary Women* of the Han says: 'Tao Dazi governed Tao for three years; his reputation did not flourish, but his household grew thrice as wealthy. His wife held their child and wept. Her mother-in-law was angered, taking it to be unpropitious. The wife said: "I have heard that on the Southern Mountains there is a dark leopard; it conceals itself in mist and does not eat for seven days, wishing to moisten its coat of fur and perfect its patterning. As for dogs and pigs, they do not choose their food, and hence grow fat; by growing fat they bring on misfortune." Within a full year he was indeed executed.' Ren Fang's *Records of Strange Things* [says]: 'In the summer of the seventh year of Emperor Hui of the Han, thunder shook the Southern Mountains; the forest trees caught fire, and the earth was scorched yellow. After a torrential rain, a set of dragon bones was obtained.' Luoshan ran into a family-ruining hostile thief, set forth his plea and submitted his petition; Yantou offered amnesty and pacification, and thereafter he transformed into an able and vigorous lad. But tell me: which was the place of amnesty and pacification? *Heh!* Rising and ceasing in tumult—who is it after all?