景德傳燈錄 26.28

26.28

Chan Master Yirou of Guizong Temple on Mount Lu (the thirteenth generation to reside [there]). When the Master first entered the hall and ascended the seat, the karmadāna struck the mallet and said, "The dragon-and-elephant assembly of this Dharma banquet should contemplate the primary meaning." The Master said, "If it is the primary meaning, just how do you contemplate it? Speaking thus, where does it fall? Is it contemplation? Or again, does it not allow people to contemplate? Let the former virtuous sthaviras jointly bear witness. Let the beginners of later studies not call this words of reverse questioning or leaning backwards. If you have doubts, please ask." A monk asked, "The Buddhas appeared in the world preaching the Dharma to cross people over, moving heaven and shaking the earth. When the Upādhyāya appears in the world, what auspicious omen is there?" The Master said, "Why speak sleep-talk before the great assembly of humans and devas?" [A monk] asked, "All the officials have assembled, and the great assembly listens attentively. What is the matter of a single word upon appearing in the world?" The Master said, "Let the great assembly bear witness." [A monk] asked, "From where the incense smoke rises, the Master ascends the seat. We do not know what the matter of the ancestral vehicle is like." The Master said, "The doctrinal vehicle is also understood in this way." [A monk] asked, "The udumbara flower blooms and everyone sees it; what is the matter of reaching the fundamental mindlessness?" The Master said, "Deceitful words." [The monk] said, "If so, then South-Neng had another deep intent, which unless one is a person of mind-to-mind, one does not know." The Master said, "The matter requires being steeped in the monasteries." [A monk] asked, "Formerly Yu Peak, today Guizong; we do not know whether they are one or two." The Master said, "Thank you for bearing witness." [A monk] asked, "One arrow from Zhizang shot straight at Guizong; at whom should Guizong's single arrow shoot?" The Master said, "Do not slander my Zhizang." [A monk] asked, "Today the prefect himself bears witness to the Dharma; from what place will the Master repay this deep kindness?" The Master said, "What would you have me say so that it will do?" The Master also said, "One question and one answer also has no end. The Buddha-Dharma is also not such a principle. Great assembly, the event of this day was indeed not my original intention. It is truly said: 'Just dwelling in the mountain, how could there be intention? Hitherto, attaining Buddhahood was also without mind.' It is merely because of the prefect's request and the temple assembly's sincere mind. Having arrived here, what then could be said that would do? Do you still understand? If one cannot measure up to this, the ancients then said: 'Meeting each other, wanting to call to each other, gazing silently and unable to speak.' How do you understand this? If you understand, you are fit to repay the unrepayable kindness and suffice to assist the transformation of non-action. If you still do not understand, do not say that the elder opened the hall merely citing the ancients' words. The majesty of this event is as high as the sky and as deep as the sea; comparisons fall short. Furthermore, I dare not praise and pray for the imperial style and dedicate [merit] to the pure ranks. Why is that? The ancients still said: 'My prayer has been for a long time.' How much more so for today's sagacious and enlightened ruler! You have been standing long; take care." A monk asked, "What is the temple of the King of Emptiness?" The Master said, "Do not lack spirit." [The monk] asked, "What is the person in the temple?" The Master said, "Just now I did not speak falsely." [A monk] asked, "How is it before the divine tortoise has given a sign?" The Master said, "Is it auspicious or ominous?" [A monk] asked, "Not having reached its source, I beg the Master's skillful means." The Master said, "Reached." [The monk] said, "How is it after reaching?" The Master said, "Ultimately one does not ask like this." [A monk] asked, "Having long set out on the Great Vehicle, in the mind I have forgotten this intention. What is this intention?" The Master said, "Again you say 'in the mind I have forgotten.'"