萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚頌古從容庵錄 6.61

6.61

The Master said: When water returns to the great ocean, the waves are still; when clouds reach Cangwu, the atmosphere is at ease. Therefore it is said: 'If they insult you, allow them to talk back; if they spit at you, allow them to splash water.' This is Yunmen gathering up remaining thoughts and growing weary of the blossoms of worldly affairs. The word 'blossom' (hua) has two applications: first, to discard blossoms and take the fruit; second, to grow weary of busy, flourishing worldly affairs. 'Returning, what place is one's livelihood?' The first phrase is from the Baozang lun; the second phrase is Yunmen's added word. Where can you grope for it? If you pause your mental activity and deliberate, lingering in thought for ten thousand years, even if the axe handle rots away, that too is slow chess and dull moving. In the previous verse on Yanyang meeting Zhaozhou, there is already the original story of the woodcutter with the rotted axe-handle. In the previous verse on Xuefeng's final word, there is also the original story of Pot Master hanging in the tree: Fei Changfang saw Pot Master selling medicine at an unvarying price; he hung a gourd-pot on a tree and leapt into it. Changfang saw this from an upper story and knew he was no ordinary man. Thereupon he said, 'I have swept up and served food without thanks.' After a long time, knowing his deep faith, [Pot Master] told him, 'Come at dusk when no one is around.' He said to Changfang, 'Follow me and leap in.' Changfang followed his words, leapt, and entered the pot; he saw five-coloured multistoried gates and towers, with dozens of attendants on the left and right. The first line versifies the Baozang lun; the second line versifies Yunmen's words. The next two lines: the former versifies brightness; the latter versifies whiteness. Although the intent of the discourse is bright and clear, how many can understand it? Yunmen comprehends its transformations and points out a living path: 'The cold fish stays at the bottom and does not take the bait.' This draws on Chuanzi's 'In the quiet night the water is cold; the fish do not bite; / Golden ripples and the laurel shadow fill the boat with bright moonlight.' Golden ripples and the laurel shadow are alternate names for the moon. Tiantong says, 'Clear light shining on the eyes seems like losing one's way home.' Zhaozhou says, 'This old monk does not abide within clarity.' Therefore, 'When the mood is spent, with a clear song, he turns his raft around.' And tell me, where does he go? In the deep night, he does not lodge in the reed cove, but transcends both the middle and the two extremes.