續傳燈錄 30.23

30.23

福州普賢元素禪師。建寧人也。上堂。兵隨印轉。三千里外絕煙塵。將逐符行。二六時中淨裸裸。不用鐵旗鐵鼓。自然草偃風行。何須七縱七擒。直得無思不服。所謂大丈夫秉慧劍。般若鋒兮金剛焰。非但能摧外道心。早曾落却天魔膽。正恁麼時且道。主將是甚麼人。喝一喝。上堂。南泉道。我十八上便解作活計。囊無繫蟻之絲。厨乏聚蠅之糝。趙州道。我十八上便解破家散宅。南頭買賤北頭賣貴。點檢將來好與三十棒。且放過一著。何故曾為宕子偏憐客。自愛貪盃惜醉人。上堂。未開口時先分付。擬思量處隔千山。莫言佛法無多子。未透玄關也大難。秖如玄關作麼生透。喝一喝。

Chan Master Yuansu of Puxian in Fuzhou was a native of Jianning. Ascending the hall, [he said], "The army moves with the seal: three thousand miles away, smoke and dust are quelled. The general acts upon the tally: throughout the twelve periods of the day, utterly bare and clear. No need for iron banners or iron drums—naturally the grass bends where the wind blows. Why require seven releases and seven captures?—directly there is none who does not submit. As it is said: 'The great man wields the sword of wisdom; / The blade of prajñā is a diamond flame. / Not only can it crush the minds of non-Buddhists, / But long ago it struck fear into the hearts of heavenly māras.' Just at such a moment, tell me: who is the commanding general?" He gave a shout. Ascending the hall, [he said], "Nanquan said, 'At eighteen, I already understood how to make a living: my pouch had not a thread to tie an ant, my kitchen lacked even grains to gather flies.' Zhaozhou said, 'At eighteen, I already understood how to ruin the household and disperse the estate: buying cheap in the south and selling dear in the north.' If one examines them closely, each deserves thirty blows of the stick. But let us let that pass for a moment. Why? 'Having once been a wanderer, one has special pity for travelers; / Loving to drink oneself, one cares for the drunkard.'" Ascending the hall, [he said], "Before opening the mouth, it is already entrusted; / Where thought is about to deliberate, one is separated by a thousand mountains. / Do not say the Buddha Dharma does not amount to much; / Before penetrating the mysterious barrier, it is exceedingly difficult. / Just so, how does one penetrate the mysterious barrier?" He gave a shout.