人天眼目 4.13

4.13

The creation of circular figures began with State Preceptor Nanyang Huizhong, who transmitted them to his attendant Danyuan. Danyuan, receiving the prophecy, transmitted them to Yangshan; consequently, they were regarded as the style of the Guiyang lineage. Venerable Liang of Wufeng in Mingzhou once composed forty cases [on them], and Chan Master Mingjiao Qisong wrote a preface praising their excellence. Liang said: “In all, there are six names: the circular figure, the concealed dynamic, the ocean of meaning, the ocean of characters, the speech of intention, and the silent discourse.” Danyuan told Yangshan: “The State Preceptor received the circular figures of the six generations of patriarchs—ninety-seven in number—and bestowed them upon this old monk. When the State Preceptor was about to enter nirvāṇa, he further told me: ‘Thirty years after my passing, a novice will arrive from the south and greatly revitalize this Way. Transmit them in sequence; do not allow them to be cut off.’ Examining this prophecy, the matter rests upon your person. I now confer them upon you; you should honor and preserve them.” Having received them, Yangshan forthwith burned them. One day, Danyuan said to Yangshan again: “The circular figures transmitted earlier ought to be kept profoundly secret.” Yangshan said: “They have already been burned up.” Danyuan said: “These have been transmitted down by the patriarchs to this point; why burn them up?” Yangshan said: “At a single glance I already understood their meaning. Only when one can use them does it matter; one must not cling to the manuscript.” Danyuan said: “That may be well for you, but what about those who come after?” Yangshan said: “If the Master requires it, I will recopy a volume.” Yangshan thereupon recopied them and presented them to him, without a single error. One day, Danyuan ascended the hall. Yangshan stepped forward from the assembly, made the circle figure ○, raised it up with his hands in the posture of presenting it, and then stood with hands crossed. Danyuan showed him by crossing his two hands into fists. Yangshan took three steps forward and made a woman’s bow. Danyuan nodded, and Yangshan then made a full prostration. This is where circular figures originated.