人天眼目 4.15

4.15

Yangshan personally received the ninety-seven kinds of circular figures at Danyuan’s place. Later, at Guishan’s place, through this circle figure ○ he attained sudden awakening. He later said: “How could the secret seal of all Buddhas permit speech?” He also said: “At Danyuan’s place I attained the essence; at Guishan’s place I attained the function.” This was called father and son harmonizing their dynamics; therefore there are these circular figures to examine and verify the reality. Drawing this figure [○@牛] indicates releasing intention. Drawing the figure [○@佛] indicates snatching intention. Drawing the figure [○@人] indicates consenting intention. Drawing the figure ○ indicates permitting another person an audience. Drawing the figure [○@(三*三)], dotting through it or crossing through it, throwing it down or raising it up—all these are temporal causes and conditions. As soon as there are circular figures, there are guest and host, killing and giving life, releasing and snatching, trap and eye, concealed and manifest, provisional and real. These are entering the marketplace with open hands, or in moments of leisure, master and disciple disputing and testing, exchanging sharp wits. What is solely valued is the person’s own great function appearing before them.