續傳燈錄 12.44

12.44

潭州等覺法思禪師。僧問。梵王請佛蓋為群生安撫。請師當為何事。師曰。月映千江白。雲開萬谷明。云恁麼則一句無私。師曰。古今無異路。達者共同途。問如何是佛法大意。師曰。燈籠挂露柱。云學人未會。師曰。佛殿對三門。云向上更有事也無。師曰。大海若知足。百川應倒流。師良久曰。若也於斯薦得。上無攀仰下絕己躬。靈光現前耀騰今古。遇知音而隨緣佛事。在山野而別搆清規。亦可竿木隨身逢場作戲。然雖如是。且道最初一句作麼生道。顧大眾曰。切忌當頭。

Chan Master Fasi of Dengjue in Tanzhou. A monk asked, "When the King of Brahmā invited the Buddha, it was for the comfort of living beings; for what affair is the Master invited today?" The Master said, "The moon reflects upon a thousand rivers white; clouds open over ten thousand valleys bright." The monk said, "Then a single phrase is without partiality." The Master said, "From antiquity to the present there are no different roads; those who have penetrated share the same path." The monk asked, "What is the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma?" The Master said, "The lantern hangs upon the exposed pillar." The monk said, "The student has not yet understood." The Master said, "The Buddha hall faces the triple gate." The monk said, "Is there still anything beyond this?" The Master said, "If the great sea knew contentment, the hundred streams would flow backward." The Master paused for a long time and said, "If you can appreciate it here, above there is nothing to gaze up at and grasp, and below one's own body is cut off. The spiritual light appears before you, radiantly soaring through past and present. Meeting one who knows the tune, one performs Buddha-work according to conditions; being in the mountains and wilds, one establishes distinct pure regulations. One can also carry the bamboo pole with oneself and perform wherever the stage is found. Although it is like this, tell me, how do you utter the very first phrase?" Looking at the assembly, he said, "Above all, do not face it directly!"