萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚頌古從容庵錄 6.89

6.89

The Master said: Chan Master Xinghua Cunjiang of Weifu at first relied on Linji; after Linji passed into complete stillness, he became head monk under Sansheng. Later he saw Dajue. When opening the hall and offering incense, he said: "This stick of incense originally should be for my senior brother Sansheng, but Sansheng was too aloof toward me; originally it should be for my senior brother Dajue, but Dajue was too distant toward me. It is better to offer it to my late master Linji." A monk asked, "What happens when they come from the four quarters and eight directions?" Hua said, "Strike the one in the middle." The monk bowed. Hua said, "Assembly, yesterday Xinghua attended a village vegetarian meal; halfway there I encountered sudden wind and violent rain, but managed to take shelter in a spirit shrine." When Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang traveled to Hebei, a monk asked, "What happens when the royal schedule is limited?" Hua said, "Racing five hundred carriages a day." Returning to the temporary palace in Weifu, the Emperor summoned Hua to arrive; after bestowing a seat and tea, he then asked, "I took the Central Plains and obtained a treasure, yet no one has ever named a price for it." Hua said, "May I briefly borrow Your Majesty's treasure to look at?" The Emperor pulled the straps of his headcloth with both hands. Hua said, "Who would dare to name a price for the ruler's treasure?" The Emperor was greatly pleased and bestowed a purple robe and a master title; Hua did not accept either. The Emperor also bestowed an imperial horse. Wansong says: First you must recognize the ruler, and furthermore you must know the Central Plains; only then will you be asked where your treasure is located. Xuanjue questioned: "Now tell me: did Xinghua agree with Tongguang, or not agree with Tongguang? If he agreed, where was Xinghua's eye? If he did not agree, where was Tongguang's fault?" Wansong says: Subhūti did not understand the import of the Diamond Sūtra, raising questions that filled the world with doubt. Xuedou said: "What the Most Venerable obtained can only be observed from the side. If it were not an adept like Xinghua, it would often have been priced high." Wansong says: Just like not having fasted. Cuiyan Zhi said: "Xinghua's move at that time can be called dead drunk. Now how would you judge it?" Wansong says: Passing sentence after taking the staff. Yunfeng Yue said: "The true does not conceal the false; the crooked does not hide the straight. Let those with eyes distinguish it." Wansong says: You asked a blind fellow. Huanglong Xin said: "Xinghua acted according to the opportunity for a time, yet how could he help obscuring that Son of Heaven of a dynasty? At that time, had he merely said to him, 'Even if the pearl of a clam is obtained, it is of no use,' he would have caused him afterward to have another livelihood, avoiding being mutually blunted and hindered. Now if someone asks, how would you name a price?" Wansong says: Seven times nine is sixty-three—take it! In this troop of old fellows, not one dared to set a price; only Tiantong appraised the object and set the price, with neither side falling short. The verse says: