釋氏稽古略 4.102

4.102

Chan master Yuxian was a native of Changzhou in Gusu, of the Lin family. He left home at the age of seven, relying upon Bhadanta Keyi of Yong'an in Jiaxing. At the age of thirty, he had his head shaved and received the full precepts. He went to study under Chan Master Longhua Qiu and clarified the mind seal. He returned to reside at Mingjue Cloister, where he did nothing but drink wine; when drunk, he composed songs to admonish the monks and laity of the world, and they called him the Wine Immortal. A song said:
"At the head of the Yangzi River the waves are deepest;
Travelers who arrive here are all submerged in contemplation.
If in future days you reach a place without waves,
You should still use your mind as when there were waves."
Another said:
"Again I hear of the golden goblet brimming;
The mountain of jade once more reports its collapse.
Do not let the night watch catch you;
Take advantage of the bright moon to return."
Another said:
"One-six, two-six: the matter is already settled.
One-nine, two-nine: I want to drink wine.
Stretching out both legs, I take a nap;
When I get up, heaven and earth remain as of old."
Another said:
"Before the gate, green trees have no singing birds;
Beneath the courtyard, green moss holds fallen flowers.
For a while, I discuss this matter with the east wind:
To whose family does the full springtime belong?"
Another said:
"When autumn arrives, the mountains are cold and waters chill;
When spring comes, the willows are green and flowers red.
A single dot moves, following ten thousand changes;
The river village is shrouded in misty rain.
Exists yet does not exist; empty yet not empty;
A bamboo ladle fishing for the northwest wind."
Another said:
"Born into the Jambudvīpa realm,
How much love and hatred are in human feelings!
I only want to drink a bit of wine,
And that is why I lie collapsed upon the street and road.
After dying, I would rather be born again in Saha;
I have no wish to transcend and be born in the Pure Land.
For what reason?
The Western Pure Land has no wine to sell!"
Reaching the Lantern Festival of the second year of Xiangfu, the master requested a bath at dawn; after finishing, he went into his room, clenched his fists, lifted his right arm and opened his left hand, opened his mouth, and transformed (East Chan Cloister in the City of Pingjiang). The master was an heir of Longhua Yanqiu; Qiu was an heir of Changqing Leng; Leng was an heir of Chan Master Xuefeng Cun; Cun was an heir of Chan Master Deshan Jian (Five Lamps Record). An edict ordered the circuits and prefectures to establish Tianqing Temples (Imperial Annals).