南宗頓教最上大乘摩訶般若波羅蜜經六祖惠能大師於韶州大梵寺施法壇經 1.49

1.49

Master Shenxiu constantly heard people say that Huineng's Dharma was rapid, pointing directly to the path of seeing. Master Xiu then summoned his disciple, the monk Zhicheng, saying: "You are intelligent and possess much wisdom. Go for me to Caoxi Mountain to Huineng's place. Bow and just listen; do not say that I sent you. Grasp the essential meaning of what you hear, remember it, and come back to tell me, so that I may see whose insight is more rapid or slow, Huineng's or mine. Come back as early as possible; do not cause me to blame you." Zhicheng received the mission and departed joyfully. Within half a month, he reached Caoxi Mountain, saw Upādhyāya Huineng, bowed, and listened without stating where he came from. When Zhicheng heard the Dharma, he awakened upon the words and tallied with his original mind. He immediately stood up, bowed, and said: "Upādhyāya! This disciple comes from Yuquan Monastery. At Master Xiu's place, I was unable to attain awakening; hearing the Upādhyāya speak, I have tallied with my original mind. I pray the Upādhyāya will be compassionate and instruct me." Master Huineng said: "You come from there; you must be a spy!" Zhicheng said: "I am not!" The Sixth Patriarch said: "Why are you not?" Zhicheng said: "Before speaking, I was; once I have spoken, I am not." The Sixth Patriarch said: "'Kleśa is bodhi' is also just like this!"