續傳燈錄 12.27

12.27

廬州承天資福月禪師。僧問。如何是廬州境。師曰。千里風威肅。重城角韻清。云如何是境中人。師曰。歌廉雖起袴襦詠。借寇難留柱石材。乃曰。信知此事西竺首傳迦葉。域中祖令剛行東土後付盧公。教外真風不墜。分燈列派徇器投機。自古及今聖賢間出。豈可以小根小智而能紹續祖宗。發顯真猷稱揚斯事。然雖如是事無一向。豈不見先德道。最初說法者不知有末後句。末後說法者不知有最初句。最初句即且置。作麼生是末後句。還有道得麼。良久曰。珍重。

Chan Master Yue of Zifu at Chengtian in Luzhou. A monk asked, "What is the realm of Luzhou?" The Master said, "For a thousand miles, the majesty of the wind is stern; from the tiered city walls, the horn's tone is clear." The monk said, "Who is the person within the realm?" The Master said, "Though singing of integrity evokes the ballad of trousers and coats, borrowing Kou cannot retain material fit to be pillars and stones." He then said, "Know with confidence that this matter was first transmitted to Kāśyapa in the West, and within our land the patriarchal order was strictly enacted, later entrusted to Master Lu in the East. The true house style outside the teachings has not fallen into ruin; the lamp is divided into branches, conforming to capacities and responding to occasions. From ancient times until now, sages and worthies have appeared from time to time. How could those of minor capacity and meager wisdom carry on the ancestors, reveal the true principle, and praise this matter? Even though it is like this, things are not one-sided. Have you not seen the former master say: 'The one who speaks the Dharma at first does not know of the final phrase; the one who speaks the Dharma at last does not know of the initial phrase'? Putting aside the initial phrase for a moment, what is the final phrase? Is there anyone who can say it?" After a long pause, he said, "Take care."