續傳燈錄 10.29

10.29

福州妙峯如璨禪師上堂。今朝是如來降生之節。天下緇流莫不以香湯灌沐共報洪恩。為甚麼教中却道。如來者無所從來。既是無所從來。不知降生底是誰。試請道看。若道得其恩自報。若道不得明年四月八還是驀頭澆。

Chan Master Rucan of Miaofeng in Fuzhou ascended the hall. 'Today is the occasion of the Tathāgata's descent and birth. None among the monastic assembly under heaven fail to bathe him with fragrant water and together repay his vast kindness. Why, then, does the teaching say: "The Tathāgata comes from nowhere"? Since he comes from nowhere, who is it that descends and is born? Pray, try to tell me. If you can speak of it, his kindness is naturally repaid. If you cannot speak of it, next year on the eighth day of the fourth month, water will still be poured right over his head.'