無門關 1.164

1.164

Because Deshan went to Longtan to ask for instruction until late into the night, Longtan said, "It is late at night; why don't you go down?" Deshan then took his leave, parted the blind, and went out. Seeing that it was dark outside, he turned back and said, "It is dark outside." Longtan then lit a paper candle and handed it to him. As Deshan was about to take it, Longtan blew it out. Deshan thereupon suddenly had an awakening, and bowed. Longtan said, "What principle have you seen?" Deshan said, "From this day forward, I will not doubt the tongues of the old upādhyāyas under heaven." The next day, Longtan ascended the hall and said, "There is a fellow here whose teeth are like a forest of swords, whose mouth is like a blood bowl; though struck with a staff, he does not turn his head. In the days to come, he will establish my way on an isolated peak!" Deshan then took his commentaries, brought a torch in front of the Dharma hall, held them up, and said, "Even if one exhausts all profound debates, it is like placing a single hair in great emptiness; even if one exhausts the pivotal workings of the world, it is like casting a single drop into a great chasm." He then burned the commentaries, bowed, and departed.