六祖大師法寶壇經 1.28

1.28

「復兩日，有一童子於碓坊過，唱誦其偈；惠能一聞，便知此偈未見本性，雖未蒙教授，早識大意。遂問童子曰：『誦者何偈？』童子曰：『爾這獵獠不知，大師言：「世人生死事大，欲得傳付衣法，令門人作偈來看。若悟大意，即付衣法為第六祖。」神秀上座，於南廊壁上，書無相偈，大師令人皆誦，依此偈修，免墮惡道；依此偈修，有大利益。』惠能曰：『（一本有我亦要誦此，結來生緣）上人！我此踏碓，八箇餘月，未曾行到堂前。望上人引至偈前禮拜。』童子引至偈前禮拜，惠能曰：『惠能不識字，請上人為讀。』時，有江州別駕，姓張名日用，便高聲讀。惠能聞已，遂言：『亦有一偈，望別駕為書。』別駕言：『汝亦作偈？其事希有。』惠能向別駕言：『欲學無上菩提，不得輕於初學。下下人有上上智，上上人有沒意智。若輕人，即有無量無邊罪。』別駕言：『汝但誦偈，吾為汝書。汝若得法，先須度吾。勿忘此言。』惠能偈曰：

"Two days later, a boy passed by the pestle shed reciting the verse. As soon as Huineng heard it, he knew this verse had not seen the original nature; although he had not received instruction, he had long understood the great meaning. He then asked the boy: 'What verse are you reciting?' The boy said: 'You barbarian don't know: the Great Master said, "For people in this world, birth and death is a momentous matter. Wanting to transmit the robe and the Dharma, he ordered the disciples to compose verses to show him. If one awakens to the great meaning, he will transmit the robe and the Dharma, and make him the Sixth Patriarch." Senior Monk Shenxiu wrote a formless verse on the wall of the south corridor; the Great Master ordered everyone to recite it, [saying that] cultivating according to this verse, one will avoid falling into evil destinies; cultivating according to this verse brings great benefit.' Huineng said: '(One edition adds: I also wish to recite this, to form an affinity for a future life.) Superior one, I have been treading the pestle here for more than eight months, and have not once walked to the front of the hall. I hope you will lead me before the verse so that I may pay homage.' The boy led him before the verse to pay homage. Huineng said: 'Huineng cannot read; please read it for me, superior one.' At that time, Zhang Riyong, vice-prefect of Jiangzhou, was present and read it aloud. Having heard it, Huineng said: 'I also have a verse; I hope the vice-prefect will write it for me.' The vice-prefect said: 'You too would compose a verse? That is a rare thing.' Huineng said to the vice-prefect: 'Those who wish to study unexcelled bodhi must not look down on beginners. The lowliest people may have the highest wisdom; the highest people may lack all sense and wisdom. If one looks down on people, one incurs immeasurable and boundless sin.' The vice-prefect said: 'Just recite your verse, and I will write it for you. If you obtain the Dharma, you must deliver me first. Do not forget these words.' Huineng's verse said: