景德傳燈錄 12.9

12.9

Chan Master Lingguan of Mount Wushi in Fuzhou (who resided at Xue Lao Peak on that mountain, also called Mount Dingmu; at that time he was called Upādhyāya Lao Guan) customarily bolted his door and was rarely seen by people. Only one lay believer would arrive at each mealtime to deliver offerings, whereupon he would open it. One day, Xuefeng watched for an opportunity and knocked on the door. The Master came out and opened the door. Xuefeng grabbed him by the chest and said, "Is it ordinary or holy?" The Master spat and said, "This wild fox spirit!" and pushed him out and shut the door. Xuefeng said, "I only wanted to know you, elder brother." Once, as the Master was weeding grass, he asked a monk, "Where are you going?" The monk said, "Going to West Courtyard to pay respects to Upādhyāya An." At that time there was a small green snake on a bamboo stalk. The Master pointed to the snake and said, "If you wish to know that old wild fox spirit of West Courtyard, just this is it." One day the Master asked Upādhyāya An of West Courtyard, "What is this plot of ground fit to have placed on it?" An said, "It is good to place a formless Buddha on it." The Master said, "A good plot of ground has been defiled with filth by you, elder brother." One day, while the Master was drawing water, a monk came to pay respects. The Master demonstrated by pulling the water-drawing pole across. The monk then left. At dusk, the Master asked his novice, "Where is that monk who came earlier?" The novice said, "He departed." The Master said, "He only obtained half a piece." (Xuanjue said, "Where was he lacking half a piece?") A monk asked, "What is the Buddha?" The Master stuck out his tongue and showed it to him. The monk bowed in thanks. The Master said, "Stop, stop! What did you see that makes you bow?" The monk said, "I thank the Upādhyāya for his compassion in showing the characteristic of sticking out his tongue." The Master said, "Lately this old fellow has sores on his tongue." A monk arrived and knocked on the door. After the attendant opened the door, he went out. The monk entered, bowed, and asked, "What is the meaning of the [Patriarch's] coming from the West?" The Master said, "What person was that who just went out?" The monk was about to step forward, but the Master pushed him out and closed the door. When Caoshan was on pilgrimage, he asked, "What is the master of Vairocana and the lord of the Dharma body?" The Master said, "If I were to tell you, it would be another thing altogether." Caoshan brought this up with Dongshan. Dongshan said, "A fine topic of dialogue, but it lacks follow-up words. Why not go back and ask, 'Why do you not speak?'" Caoshan then returned and advanced with those words. The Master said, "If you say I do not speak, that mutes my mouth. If you say I do speak, that stammers my tongue." Caoshan returned and brought this up to Dongshan, who deeply approved of it.