景德傳燈錄 25.19

25.19

Chan Master Xuanze of Bao'en Cloister in Jinling was a native of Weinan in Huazhou. He first asked Qingfeng (some editions say Baizhao), "What is the Buddha?" (Some say "oneself").
Qingfeng said, "The boy Bingding comes seeking fire."
The Master kept these words in his heart. When he visited Jinghui, Jinghui questioned him about his awakened purport. The Master replied, "Bingding is fire, yet he seeks fire further; this is just like Xuanze using Buddha to ask about Buddha."
Jinghui said, "I nearly let it pass—all along you understood it wrongly!"
Although the Master had been challenged to open his mind, he felt quite hesitant. Returning, he reflected until he was exhausted and still did not comprehend the profound principle. He then sincerely requested further instruction.
Jinghui said, "You ask me, and I will tell you."
The Master then asked, "What is the Buddha?"
Jinghui said, "The boy Bingding comes seeking fire."
The Master was suddenly enlightened and knew his refuge. Later he resided at Bao'en Cloister.

The Master ascended the hall, looked around at the great assembly, and said: "A fine topic of conversation, only there is no one who knows how to ask about it. That is why it troubled that ancient person to call out three times. You people do not trouble him to call. This may be so according to the ancient's intention, but how is it? Can you still speak of it? When a thousand Buddhas appear in the world, not the slightest bit is added; in the transmigration through the six paths, not the slightest bit is diminished. Radiantly clear, it is present without a thread of obstruction. An ancient said: 'As long as there is a fine hair, that is dust.' But right now, material forms stand towering—how will you dissolve them? If you cannot dissolve them here, that is simply the realm of ordinary mortals. Yet do not dislike plain speech, and do not dislike mentioning the patriarchs and Buddhas. Why? Seeing the patriarchs and Buddhas mentioned, you intend to transcend them. If you understand it like that, it has no connection whatsoever. You must also examine it carefully. Have you not seen that when the ancients of virtue thoroughly investigated leaving birth and death behind, they did not even have the time to shave their heads or trim their nails? As I see it today, it is extremely difficult to continue [their standard]."

A monk asked, "Seeing the Buddha-nature clearly—what is the Buddha-nature?"
The Master said, "I do not wish to say it right away."
He asked, "What is the adamantine great being?"
The Master said, "Have you seen him yet?"
He asked, "What is the secret place of all the sages?"
The Master said, "You must instead understand yourself."
He asked, "What is the Upādhyāya's secret place?"
The Master said, "Only when you understand will it be possible."

The Master said to the assembly: "All you sthaviras possess a moon that is constantly round; each of you cherishes a priceless jewel. Therefore, when the moon is in the clouds, though bright, it does not illuminate; when wisdom is hidden within delusion, though true, it does not penetrate. Nothing is the matter; do not stand for long."

A monk asked, "What is the Immovable Honoured One?"
The Master said, "Fluttering and soaring."
He asked, "What is the clear phrase?"
The Master said, "What difficulty is there in answering you?"
He said, "Speaking thus, is this not it?"
The Master said, "What difficulty is there in not answering?"
He said, "I deeply take in the Upādhyāya's speaking thus."
The Master said, "What do you say I said?"
He asked, "When a deceased monk passes away, where does he go?"
The Master said, "When you are born, I will tell you."
He said, "Guest and host are distinct."
The Master said, "Standing right there, you see the deceased monk."
He asked, "What is the student's original mind?"
The Master said, "Have you ever spoken of it yet?"
He said, "Just as it is spoken of, how should one experience it?"
The Master said, "Only when you ask will it be possible."
He asked, "In the teachings it is said: 'A tree can bear fruit of crystal color.' May I ask, who gets to eat this fruit?"
The Master said, "Where does the tree come from?"
He said, "The student has a share."
The Master said, "Eighty-four thousand [miles] away from the fruit."
He asked, "What is non-transmutation?"
The Master said, "Rivers vie in flowing; the sun and moon revolve in their courses."
He asked, "Please grant a single word on the profound and essential pivot in the tradition of the school."
The Master said, "How long have you been traveling on foot?"
He said, "I have never met a companion."
The Master said, "You are short on sleep."