萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚頌古從容庵錄 4.36

4.36

Case: A monk asked Qinglin: 'What is it like when a student goes straight forward?' (Take a step and you are already circuitous.) / Lin said: 'A dead snake blocks the main road; I advise you not to confront it head-on.' (Used to getting poisoned.) / The monk said: 'What happens when one confronts it head-on?' (Granting you great courage.) / Lin said: 'You lose your life-root.' (As expected.) / The monk said: 'What about when one does not confront it head-on?' (How could it be up to you?) / Lin said: 'There is also nowhere to avoid it.' (Bumping and knocking into it.) / The monk said: 'What about right at such a time?' (Do not panic just yet.) / Lin said: 'It has been lost!' (Though it is a dead snake, handle it skillfully and it becomes alive.) / The monk said: 'I do not know where it has gone.' (If you do not believe it, search your bosom.) / Lin said: 'The grass is deep; there is nowhere to look for it.' (Vast overhead, vast underfoot.) / The monk said: 'The Venerable must also take precautions!' (It has returned.) / Lin clapped his hands and said: 'Equally, it is a single poisonous vapor!' (Thinking it was Hou Bai, there is also Hou Hei.)