續傳燈錄 24.28

24.28

潭州嶽麓海禪師。僧問。進前三步時如何。師曰。撞頭磕額。曰退後三步時如何。師曰。墮坑落塹。曰不進不退時如何。師曰。立地死漢。

Chan Master Yuelu Hai of Tanzhou. A monk asked, 'What happens when stepping three paces forward?' The master said, 'Bumping heads and striking brows.' The monk asked, 'What happens when stepping three paces back?' The master said, 'Falling into a pit and tumbling into a trench.' The monk asked, 'What happens when neither advancing nor retreating?' The master said, 'A fellow standing dead on his feet.'