景德傳燈錄 20.26

20.26

Chan Master Hongtong of Mount Yuwang in Changning County, Hengzhou, was asked by a monk: "How was it before chaos was divided?" The Master said: "Chaos." The monk said: "How is it after it was divided?" The Master said: "Chaos." He went up to the hall and showed the assembly, saying: "Śākyamuni Tathāgata appeared in the world for forty-nine years and could not express the ultimate phrase. Tonight, I will not shun shame, and shall speak of it with all you venerable ones." The Master remained silent for a long time, then said: "Do not say I was wrong. Take care!" A monk asked: "The student is ill; please, Master, cure me." The Master said: "Bring your illness here and I will cure it for you." He said: "Then please cure it, Master." The Master said: "Pay this old monk the money for the medicine!" [A monk] asked: "I do not ask about the single path of Cao's source; how are things on the bank of the Hengyang River?" The Master said: "Rootless grass on the flames of a red furnace; no fish encountered in the depths of the blue pool." [A monk] asked: "How is it when mind and phenomena are both forgotten?" The Master said: "A three-legged toad carries an elephant on its back." [A monk] asked: "What is the meaning of the coming from the west?" The Master said: "This old monk's hair stands on end." [A monk] asked: "What is the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma?" The Master said: "Just wait until Mañjuśrī passes by, then I will tell you." He said: "Mañjuśrī has already passed by; please speak, Upādhyāya." The Master then struck him. [A monk] asked: "What is the upādhyāya's house style?" The Master said: "My entire body is not worth five tenths of a coin." He said: "Why are you so extremely poor?" The Master said: "Ancient times were just like this." He said: "How do you provide [for guests]?" The Master said: "According to whether the house is abundant or frugal."