人天眼目 1.41

1.41

Ciming instructed the assembly, saying: “The late Baoying said: ‘If you realize it in the first phrase, you are fit to be a teacher of buddhas and patriarchs. If you realize it in the second phrase, you are fit to be a teacher of humans and gods. If you realize it in the third phrase, you cannot even save yourself.’ For this mountain monk it is not so: If you realize it in the first phrase, you are mixing with mud and water. If you realize it in the second phrase, you bind yourself without rope. If you realize it in the third phrase, all four edges touch the ground. Therefore it is said: ‘When it rises, the seas are calm and the rivers clear, while travelers avoid the road; when it abides, heaven and earth are murky dark, and sun and moon have no light.’ Where will you people catch your breath? Right now, is there anyone who can catch their breath? If so, come forth and catch your breath before the assembly to let us see! If there is no one, today this mountain monk will let out a breath for you!” Thereupon he gave a hiss, planted his staff, and stepped down from the seat. Shimen Cong said, “If you realize it in the first phrase, you burst out from within the rock. If you realize it in the second phrase, you are pressed forward in confrontation. If you realize it in the third phrase, you cannot even save yourself.”