萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚頌古從容庵錄 5.39

5.39

The Master said: The Biographies of Former Worthies of Runan says: At that time, heavy snow accumulated more than ten feet on the ground. The magistrate of Luoyang went out in person to inspect. He saw people clearing snow to come out, and some begging for food. Reaching Yuan An's gate, there was no path through. Thinking An was already dead, he ordered people to clear the snow, entered the door, and saw An lying stiff. He asked why he did not go out. An said, 'In heavy snow, everyone is starving; it is not fitting to trouble others.' The magistrate considered him a worthy and recommended him as Filial and Incorrupt. This versifies Zhongyi's offering a metaphor: talking in his sleep for a while, in the end he was not awake; this is 'deep and secluded, the ivy-hung door does not open at night.' Suddenly exposed by Yangshan, Zhongyi immediately applied his full function: the withered tree meets spring again; 'the spring breeze blows up the ash in the pitch-pipes.' In Cai Yong's Monthly Ordinances, bamboo is cut into pipes, called pitch-pipes; they are placed in a closed room, and reed pith is reduced to ash to fill their ends. When the qi of that month arrives, the ash flies and the pipe empties: yang qi is generated—life within death. It is like Zhongyi and Yangshan meeting as adepts. After meeting, what then? Do not labor to stand for long.