景德傳燈錄 8.13

8.13

The Lecture Master Liang (of West Mountain in Hongzhou) was originally a native of Shu. He lectured considerably on the sūtras and treatises. When he visited Mazu, the Patriarch asked him, "I hear that you, Lecture Master, are very capable of lecturing on the sūtras and treatises; is that so?" Liang said, "I would not dare claim so." The Patriarch said, "What do you use to lecture?" Liang said, "I use the mind to lecture." The Patriarch said, "The mind is like a performer; the intellect is like an accompanist. How can they understand lecturing on the sūtras?" Liang said in a raised voice, "If the mind cannot lecture, can empty space lecture?" The Patriarch said, "It is precisely empty space that can lecture." Liang did not accept this and was about to descend the steps to leave. The Patriarch called out, "Lecture Master!" Liang turned his head, had a sudden great enlightenment, and bowed. The Patriarch said, "Why is this dull-rooted master bowing?" Liang returned to his monastery and announced to his listeners, "Regarding the sūtras and treatises I have lectured on, I used to think no one could equal me. Today, with a single question from Great Master Ma, the effort of my entire life has melted away like ice." Thereupon he went into hiding at West Mountain and was never heard from again.