景德傳燈錄 25.26

25.26

Chan Master Qichou of Chongshou Cloister in Fuzhou was a native of Xizhou. He ascended the hall and took his seat. A monk asked, 'The four assemblies attentively observe the supreme truth. What is the supreme truth?' The master said, 'Why labor to ask further?' The master also said: 'If the great assembly wishes to know the meaning of Buddha-nature, you should observe the seasonal conditions. What are the seasonal conditions? Sthaviras, if you disperse right now, tell me: is there [anything] or not? If there is not, why do you disperse? If there is, what is the supreme truth? Sthaviras, the supreme truth is readily manifest—why labor to observe it further? If you illuminate it like this, Buddha-nature constantly shines and all dharmas constantly abide. If you see that there is a dharma that constantly abides, that is still not the true source of dharmas. What is the true source of dharmas? Sthaviras, do you not see that an ancient said: "When one person generates truth and returns to the source, the empty space in the ten directions completely dissolves"? Is there still a single dharma left for conceptual understanding? The ancients had such a great matter of causes and conditions; if you practice in accordance with it, that is it. Why labor the Elder to speak at length? If there are those among the assembly who do not yet know, please let them step forward.' A monk asked, 'The lamp of Jinghui was personally lit at the Ru River; today princes and lords request your instruction. What is the lamp of Jinghui?' The master said, 'Please ask another question.' [The monk] asked, 'Regarding the point where the ancients saw disparities, we request the master's skillful means.' The master said, 'Where did the ancients see disparities?' [The monk] asked, 'What is the Buddha?' The master said, 'What is the Buddha?' [The monk] said, 'How should one comprehend it?' The master said, 'Comprehending it is not it.' [The monk] asked, 'Regarding the exact meaning of the coming from the west, which person are you, Master?' The master said, 'Year after year, the middle of the eighth month is Mid-Autumn.' [The monk] asked, 'What is the upādhyāya's phrase for helping people?' The master said, 'Guanyin raised it; Shanglan raised it.' In the third year of Chunhua, the master manifested extinction.