續傳燈錄 16.19

16.19

衡州花藥元恭禪師。僧問。如何是道。師曰。通身無障礙。僧云。如何是道中人。師曰。來往任縱橫。問蓮華未出水時如何。師曰。枝葉甚分明。僧云。出水後如何。師曰。一任眾人觀。僧云。天地若教出池塘焉敢藏。師曰。莫妄想。問兆象未生時如何。師曰。波斯讀梵書。僧云。生後如何。師曰。胡僧笑點頭。僧云。欲生未生時如何。師曰。洗脚上漁船。僧云。全因今日也。師曰。梳頭不洗面。

Chan Master Yuangong of Huayao in Hengzhou. A monk asked, 'What is the Way?' The Master said, 'The entire body has no obstruction.' The monk said, 'What is the person within the Way?' The Master said, 'Coming and going entirely at ease.' He asked, 'How is it before the lotus emerges from the water?' The Master said, 'Branches and leaves are very distinct.' The monk said, 'How is it after it emerges from the water?' The Master said, 'Left entirely to everyone to view.' The monk said, 'If heaven and earth cause it to emerge from the pond, how would it dare hide?' The Master said, 'Do not engage in false thinking.' He asked, 'How is it before the signs have arisen?' The Master said, 'A Persian reading Sanskrit scriptures.' The monk said, 'How is it after they have arisen?' The Master said, 'The foreign monk smiles and nods.' The monk said, 'How is it when about to arise but not yet arisen?' The Master said, 'Washing the feet and boarding the fishing boat.' The monk said, 'It is entirely due to today.' The Master said, 'Combing the hair without washing the face.'