景德傳燈錄 22.22

22.22

Because the attendant transmitted this verse outside, all four assemblies wrote it down and recorded it. On the twenty-eighth day of the first month of the following year, the people of the prefecture vied to enter the mountain to pay homage and look upon him. The Master had no illness and received inquiries as usual. On the first day of the second month, the prefectural governor led various officials together to the mountain to keep watch overnight; the monastery was crowded like a marketplace. On the second day, after finishing the noon meal, the Master ascended the hall to bid farewell to the assembly. At that time, Elder Yuanying came out of the assembly, bowed, and asked, 'The clouds are sad and the mist is gloomy; the great assembly laments. We request a word from the Master before your farewell.' The Master lowered one foot. Yuanying said, 'When the Dharma mirror does not shine on this land, where does the precious moon shine?' The Master said, 'It is not your realm.' Yuanying said, 'Then bubbles arise and bubbles perish, yet return to the water; the Master's departure and the Master's coming are fundamentally constant.' The Master made a hissing sound. A monk again asked several questions, all of which the Master answered. He then stepped down from the seat, returned to the abbot's quarters, and sat peacefully until the hour of hai. He asked the assembly, 'At what time did the World-Honoured One pass into extinction?' The assembly said, 'At the hour of zi on the fifteenth day of the second month.' The Master said, 'I shall go before the hour of zi today.' Having spoken, he passed away forever.