景德傳燈錄 8.6

8.6

Chan Master Yinfeng of Mount Wutai was a native of Shaowu in Fujian. His surname was Deng (at the time he was called Deng Yinfeng). In his youth, he seemed dull-witted, and his parents permitted him to leave household life. At first he visited the gate of Mazu, but was not yet able to see into its profundity. He then went back and forth to Shitou; although on two occasions he was not successful (the words appear in the chapter on Mazu), later he had an accord under Master Ma's words. When the Master was at Shitou's place, he asked, "How can one attain harmony with the Way?" Shitou said, "I too do not harmonize with the Way." The Master said, "Ultimately, how is it?" Shitou said, "How long have you been caught by this?" One day, as Upādhyāya Shitou was weeding grass, the Master stood at his left side with folded hands. Shitou swung the hoe toward the Master's front and chopped a weed. The Master said, "Upādhyāya, you only chop this one; you do not chop that one." Shitou held up the hoe. The Master took the hoe and made a chopping gesture. Shitou said, "You only chop that one; you do not know how to chop this one." The Master had no reply. (Dongshan said in his place, "Are there still any mounds?") One day, as the Master was pushing an earth-cart, Master Ma sat on the road with his legs stretched out. The Master said, "Please withdraw your legs, Master." Master [Ma] said, "Already stretched out, they do not withdraw." The Master said, "Already advancing, I do not retreat." Thereupon he pushed the cart and ran over them. Master [Ma's] legs were injured. Returning to the Dharma hall, he held an axe and said, "The one who just now ran over and injured this old monk's legs, come forward!" The Master then went forward before the Great Master and stretched out his neck. The Great Master then put down the axe. The Master arrived at Nanquan's. Seeing the monks gathering for instruction, Nanquan pointed to a water pitcher and said, "The bronze pitcher is an object; inside the pitcher is water. Without moving the object, bring the water to this old monk." The Master then took the pitcher and poured it out in front of Nanquan. Nanquan then stopped. The Master later arrived at Guishan's. At the head of the elder monks' seats, he set down his robe and bowl. When Guishan heard that his martial uncle had arrived, he first donned his formal monastic vestments and went down into the hall. Seeing him coming, the Master immediately lay down and feigned sleep. Guishan then returned to his abbot's quarters; the Master then departed. Shortly after, Guishan asked his attendant, "Is my martial uncle still here?" He answered, "He has already left." Guishan said, "When he left, were there any words?" He answered, "There were no words." Guishan said, "Do not say there were no words—his sound was like thunder!" The Master resided on Mount Heng in winter and stayed at Mount Qingliang in summer. In the Yuanhe era of the Tang, he climbed Mount Wutai again. His route went through Huaixi, which coincided with Wu Yuanji raising troops and rebelling against the imperial command. The imperial army and the rebels were locked in battle, with victory yet undecided. The Master said, "I must go and relieve their suffering." Thereupon he tossed his staff into the air and flew over them. The officers and soldiers of both armies looked up and saw that the event matched their earlier dreams, and their combative minds instantly ceased. Having revealed his supernatural powers, and fearing this might mislead the multitude, the Master then entered Mount Wutai. Before the Vajra Cave, when he was about to show his decease, he first asked the assembly, "I have often seen people in various quarters pass away sitting or lying down. Has anyone passed away standing?" The assembly said, "Yes, there have been." The Master said, "Has anyone ever passed away upside down?" The assembly said, "We have never seen such a thing." The Master then stood on his head and passed away. His robes hung straight along his body. The assembly at that time discussed carrying him to the cremation, but he stood firm and immovable. Those from far and near gazed upon him in ceaseless wonder. The Master had a sister who was a nun; she was there at the time, approached, and scolded him, saying, "In the old days, elder brother, you did not follow the standard rules; now in death you still bewilder people!" Thereupon she pushed him with her hand, and he tumbled over to the ground. They then carried out the cremation, collected the relics (śarīra), and enshrined them in a stupa.