景德傳燈錄 19.41

19.41

Sthavira Fu of Taiyuan traveled extensively to various regions and his name was known throughout the realm. Once, while journeying in Zhejiang, he attended a Dharma assembly at Mount Jingshan. One day in front of the Great Buddha Hall, a monk asked him, "Has the sthavira ever been to Mount Wutai?" The Master said, "I have been there." The monk said, "Did you see Mañjuśrī?" The Master said, "I saw him." The monk said, "In what place did you see him?" The Master said, "I saw him in front of the Buddha Hall on Mount Jingshan." Later, that monk went to Minchuan and related this to Xuefeng, who said, "Why didn't you have him come south of the mountain passes?" Hearing this, the Master packed his gear and set off. At first, when he arrived at the sub-temple of Xuefeng to rest his staff, he distributed sweet mandarins to the monks. Upādhyāya Leng of Changqing asked, "Where did you bring these from?" The Master said, "Brought from beyond the mountain passes." Leng said, "Traveling so far was no easy feat, carrying them all the way here." The Master said, "Sweet mandarins, sweet mandarins!" When he went up to visit Xuefeng, he finished his prostrations and stood to the right of the seat. As soon as Xuefeng glanced at him, the Master went down to see the director of affairs. On another day, seeing the Master, Xuefeng pointed to the sun to indicate it to him. The Master waved his hands and walked out. Xuefeng said, "You do not agree with me." The Master said, "The Upādhyāya shakes his head, while I wag my tail—where do I not agree with the Upādhyāya?" Xuefeng said, "Wherever you go, you must also keep this quiet." One day, when the monks gathered for the evening instruction, Xuefeng was lying down in the central courtyard. The Master said, "Within the jurisdiction of the five prefectures, only this Upādhyāya has a bit [of understanding]." Xuefeng then got up and left. Xuefeng once asked the Master, saying, "It is said that Linji had three phrases; is this true?" The Master said, "It is true." Xuefeng said, "What is the first phrase?" The Master raised his eyes and looked at him. Xuefeng said, "This is still the second phrase. What is the first phrase?" The Master crossed his hands and withdrew. From this time on, Xuefeng held him in deep esteem; the transmission was confirmed in the Abbot's room, and the path of master and disciple was accomplished. The Master traveled no more to other places and took charge of the bathhouse. One day, Xuansha came up to pay his respects. Xuefeng said, "There is a little mouse here, currently in the bathhouse." Xuansha said, "Wait until I test and see through him for the Upādhyāya." Having spoken, he went to the bathhouse and encountered the Master drawing water. Xuansha said, "Greetings, sthavira." The Master said, "We have already met." Xuansha said, "In what kalpa did we ever meet?" The Master said, "Why doze off?" Xuansha then entered the abbot's quarters and reported to Xuefeng, saying, "I have already tested and seen through him." Xuefeng said, "How did you test him?" Xuansha recounted the previous words. Xuefeng said, "You have been caught by the thief!" Upādhyāya Yan of Gushan asked the Master, "Before your parents gave birth to you, where were your nostrils?" The Master said, "Venerable brother, you speak first." Yan said, "Now that you have been born, tell me where they are!" The Master did not approve. Yan then asked, "How is it, then?" The Master said, "Bring the fan in your hand here." Yan gave him the fan and pressed him again. The Master kept silent and set it aside. Yan, unable to fathom it, struck him with a fist. While the Master was standing before the storehouse, a monk asked, "What is the bodhi right before one's eyes?" The Master kicked a dog, which yelped and ran off. The monk had no reply. The Master said, "The little dog doesn't even need a kick." The Master did not serve as abbot; across various regions he was regarded as Sthavira Fu of Taiyuan. He passed away in Weiyang.