續傳燈錄 13.9

13.9

潭州石霜守孫禪師。僧問。生也不道死也不道。為甚麼不道。師曰。一言已出。曰從東過西又作麼生。師曰。駟馬難追。曰學人總不與麼。師曰。易開終始口難保歲寒心。

Chan Master Shishuang Shousun of Tanzhou: A monk asked, "Not speaking of birth, not speaking of death—why do you not speak?" The Master said, "A single word has already gone forth." [The monk] said, "What about passing from east to west?" The Master said, "A team of four horses cannot overtake it." [The monk] said, "The student does not act in that manner at all." The Master said, "It is easy to open a mouth that speaks from start to finish, / But difficult to maintain a mind like winter's chill."