釋氏稽古略 3.200

3.200

In the second year of the Yuanhe era, year dinghai, an edict summoned Chan Master Dayi of Mount Ehu in Xinzhou (Jiangdong Circuit) into the Linde Hall to hold a vegetarian feast. Eminent monks (bhadanta) were gathered to discuss the Way, and the Emperor attended in person to listen to the debates on doctrines. A Dharma master asked: 'What are the Four Truths?' The Master said: 'The Sage Emperor is one emperor; where are the three truths?' [The Dharma master] also asked: 'There is no dhyāna in the desire realm; dhyāna abides in the form realm. Upon what is this land established?' The Master said: 'You only know that the desire realm has no dhyāna; you do not know that the realm of dhyāna has no desire.' [The Dharma master] asked: 'What is the meaning of Chan?' [The Master] pointed his finger into the empty air. The Dharma master had no reply. The Emperor said: 'The Dharma master lectures on endless sūtras and treatises, yet he can do nothing about this single point!' Yi then questioned the assembly. The Master said: 'In the end, what is considered the Way?' Someone answered: 'That which knows is the Way.' The Master said: 'It cannot be known through wisdom; it cannot be cognized through consciousness. How can you say that which knows is the Way?' Someone answered: 'Non-discrimination is the Way.' The Master said: 'Skillfully discriminating all characteristics of phenomena, yet remaining unmoved in the supreme truth—how can you say non-discrimination is the Way?' Someone answered: 'The four dhyānas and eight concentrations are the Way.' The Master said: 'The Buddha's body is unconditioned and does not fall into numbers. How can you say the four dhyānas and eight concentrations are the Way?' Several others offered answers, but Yi seized each occasion to enlighten them. The Emperor asked: 'What is the meaning of Buddha-nature?' [Yi] said: 'It is not separate from what Your Majesty asks.' The Emperor tacitly understood. From this time, he revered the Chan school all the more. The Master, surnamed Xu, was from Xujiang in Quzhou, and was a dharma heir of Mazu. In the first month of the thirteenth year of the Yuanhe era, he entered quiescence. An imperial decree bestowed the posthumous title 'Chan Master Huijue' (Old Book of Tang, Records of the Transmission of the Lamp). An old patriarchal chart of Mount Jingshan states: 'Chan Master Dayi Fu was surnamed Wu.'