續傳燈錄 12.24

12.24

江寧府蔣山慧炬良策禪師福州人。試經得度遊方參叩首。見六合孜禪師稍有發明。詣圓通禪師席下頓釋凝滯。出世華藏次遷鍾山。僧問。諸佛出世普為群生。和尚出世又且如何。師曰。拄杖未曾拈著。云與麼則人天獲利。師曰。好領前話。云喏喏。師曰。這箇衲僧猶較些子。乃曰。秋風索寞秋景蕭條。雁過長空燕離大廈。遊方禪客卜處安居。腰東輕囊手携短錫。水邊松際去住無拘。雖然如是。忽有人問作麼生是行脚底事。明眼人前如何秖對。若是所得之者萬一無疑。後學初心亦須仔細。還會麼。要知江上路。須問渡頭人。又曰。雪將殘分外寒。向火容易涉道艱難。好是和衣打睡。任他日上欄干。祖師沒要斷臂。吾徒莫作等閑。光陰荏苒人事多端。這邊綠水那邊青山。難難百年三萬六千日。看看便見鬢毛斑。山僧與麼說話拕泥帶水。然雖如是。養子方知父慈。

Chan Master Liangce Huiju of Jiangshan in Jiangning Prefecture was a native of Fuzhou. Having passed the scriptural examination, he was ordained. He traveled on pilgrimage to seek guidance from masters. First, he met Chan Master Zi of Liuhe and had a minor realization. Going to the assembly of Chan Master Yuantong, his doubts and blockages were instantly released. He appeared in the world to teach at Huazang, and later moved to Zhongshan. A monk asked, "The buddhas appear in the world universally for the multitude of beings; how is it when the Upādhyāya appears in the world?" The Master said, "I have never held up the staff." The monk said, "If so, humans and devas will obtain benefit." The Master said, "You would do well to comprehend my previous words." The monk said, "Understood, understood." The Master said, "This patch-robed monk still has a little discernment." He then said, "The autumn wind is bleak, the autumn scenery desolate. Wild geese cross the vast sky; swallows depart the great mansions. Traveling Chan pilgrims divine a dwelling to settle peacefully; with a light sack at the waist and a short khakkhara staff in hand, beside the water and among the pines, coming and staying without constraint. Even though it is like this, if someone suddenly asks: 'What is the business of itinerant pilgrimage? Before one with clear eyes, how will you respond?' If you are one who has attained it, there is not the slightest doubt; yet beginners and later students must also be attentive. Do you understand? If you want to know the road along the river, you must ask the person at the ferry." He also said, "The snow is about to fade, and it is exceptionally cold. Facing the fire is easy; treading the Way is hard. It is best to sleep soundly with one's clothes on, letting the sun climb the railings. The Patriarch did not demand the severing of an arm; my fellows, do not treat this lightly. Time slips away; human affairs are manifold. Here are green waters, there are blue mountains. Hard, hard: thirty-six thousand days in a hundred years—look, look, and already the temples are frosted white. This mountain monk's words are dragging through mud and water. Even though it is like this, only by raising a child does one know a father's kindness."