人天眼目 1.120

1.120

One day the Master instructed the assembly, saying: "Sometimes I first illuminate and then function; sometimes I first function and then illuminate; sometimes illumination and function are simultaneous; sometimes illumination and function are not simultaneous. In 'first illuminate and then function,' there is the person. In 'first function and then illuminate,' there is the phenomenon. In 'illumination and function are simultaneous,' one drives away the plowman's ox, snatches away the starving man's food, cracks the bones to extract the marrow, and painfully drives in needles and awls. In 'illumination and function are not simultaneous,' there are questions and answers, establishing host and establishing guest, mixing water and blending mud, responding to capacities and receiving beings. If one is an extraordinary person, before it is even raised, lifting up one's robes and walking away would still be slightly better." At that time, a monk came forward and asked, "What is the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma?" The Master said, "You try to say something." The monk then shouted. The Master also shouted. The monk shouted again. The Master then struck him. (First illuminate and then function.) [Another monk] asked, "What is the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma?" The Master immediately shouted, and further said, "Do you say that was a good shout?" The monk then shouted. The Master also shouted. The monk shouted again. The Master then struck him. (First function and then illuminate.) A monk entered the door. The Master immediately shouted. The monk also shouted. The Master then struck him, saying, "A good strike! There is only a vanguard, but no rear guard." (Illumination and function are simultaneous.) A monk came for instruction. The Master immediately shouted. The monk also shouted. The Master shouted again. The monk also shouted. The Master then struck him, saying, "A good strike! Playing the host for him does not reach the end and is useless. The householder must snatch it away and make use of it. When thousands and tens of thousands arrive here, they cannot lay a hand on it. One must look closely with urgent eyes before one gets it." (Illumination and function are not simultaneous.)