萬松老人評唱天童覺和尚頌古從容庵錄 6.91

6.91

The Master said: "Tongguang was a reign title, just as the 'Son of Heaven of Dazhong' refers to Xuanzong. Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang reigned for three years; in the guiyou year he changed it to the first year of Tongguang. Calling it 'a single treasure of the Central Plains' was already a forced name; ultimately, what would you call it? Great and small Tiantong could only say, 'The sovereign's intention was spoken to an intimate friend.' Look at Zhuangzong's military campaigns: from Zhending he subdued Zhongshan; he took Yuyang and annexed Weibo; spurring his horse he crossed the Yellow River, and the Liang lost their state; sending a wing of his army westward, Jian'ge could not hold out. Hence he claimed for himself to have obtained a single treasure of the Central Plains, only that no one could set a price on it. From the standpoint of patch-robed monks, not having met an intimate friend, not encountering one who can distinguish it, one ultimately never opens one's fist. Xinghua inclined his sincere heart, not daring to fail the great treasure of the imperial storehouse. Mallows and sun-facing greens incline toward the sun to protect their roots—hence Bao Zhuangzi, having had his feet cut off, was not as wise as a mallow. 'Brought out the priceless treasure of the Central Plains'—this versifies his drawing out the flaps of his cap. The jewel in the topknot of a wheel-turning king must not be lightly conferred. In discussions facing sovereigns of ancient and modern times, none has been as adept at employing the occasion as Zhuangzong: both Buddha-work and human sentiments were fully satisfied at once. An official visited Guizong; Guizong held up the two flaps of his cap, showed them, and said, 'Do you understand?' The official said, 'I do not understand.' Guizong said, 'This old monk suffers from chronic head-winds; do not blame me for not taking off my cap.' The official had nothing to say. Wansong says: Han Xin's merit was lofty—who could match him? Turning around, he dismantled the cloud-connected plank path. The state of Zhao possessed the Jade of Mr. He; King Zhao of Yan built a terrace and placed a thousand pieces of gold upon it to invite the worthy scholars of the realm, hence it was called the Golden Terrace. Furthermore, the verse says: The treasure of the Central Plains is a stretch of radiant light, illuminating heaven and reflecting the earth. Nanquan said, 'I do not make it noble, nor do I make it base; how do you buy it?' Therefore it is difficult to set a price on it. A gold wheel-turning king rules four continents; a silver wheel, three continents; copper, two; iron, one. You may infer the above accordingly. Although the gold wheel-turning king has the seven treasures, he can only illuminate the four continents; this does not compare to the single treasure of the Central Plains, where the entire dharmadhātu of the ten directions is completely a stretch of radiant light. How exasperating that Xinghua so easily went and said, 'Lend it briefly to look at Your Majesty's treasure.' Tongguang was the Son of Heaven of a dynasty, acting as a great dānapati and bestowing it upon him; he can be called an adept sovereign, naturally possessed of it. Wansong often laughs at Sanjiao instructing the assembly: 'Generally speaking, when expounding the Dharma, one must respond to the season and fit the occasion.' When he later dwelt in a hermitage, he encountered a bandit wielding a blade, who asked, 'Does the Venerable have rare treasures or not?' Jiao said, 'A monk's treasure is not suited for you, sir.' The bandit said, 'What kind of treasure is it?' Jiao immediately gave a shout. The bandit, not comprehending, struck him with the blade. Fayu's verse says: 'Building a thatched hut on the precipitous peak, dwelling at Sanjiao, / The family treasure could not be deeply stored away. / Carelessly opening the pouch, deceiving one who could appraise it, / How could Bian He having his feet cut off have been a mistake? / Mistakenly meeting Jie and Zhou, oh, displaying ritual and music!' It was not like Xinghua and Zhuangzong, who did not harm harmony. A monk asked Fayun Yuantong Xiu 'Iron Wall': 'I know that the master has long harboured the treasure in the pouch; today, facing the mat, pray lend it briefly for us to see.' Iron Wall said: 'A gentleman loves wealth, but takes it in the proper way. Do not say that Fayun cannot bring it forth; you must know that Xinghua dared to negotiate.'"