續傳燈錄 33.52

33.52

孝宗皇帝召至內殿問禪道之要。師答。以此事在陛下堂堂日用應機處。本無知見起滅之棼聖凡迷悟之別。第護正念則與道相應。情却物則業不能繫。盡去沈掉之病。自忘問答之意。矧今補處見在佛般若光明中。何事不成見耶。上為之首肯數四。師示眾曰。仙人張果老。騎驢穿市過。但聞蹄撥剌。誰知是紙做。後退居明教永安蘭若。逍遙自適。有偈題于壁曰。雪裏梅花春信息。池中月色夜精神。年來可是無隹趣。莫把家風舉似人。淳熙丙申八月示微疾。書偈而逝。塔于永安。

Emperor Xiaozong summoned him to the inner palace and inquired about the essentials of the Chan path. The Master replied: “This matter is located right in Your Majesty's dignified daily functioning in responding to circumstances. Originally there is no entanglement of the arising and ceasing of knowledge and views, nor distinction between sage and ordinary, delusion and awakening. Simply protect correct mindfulness, and you will accord with the Way; let sentiment cast off objects, and karma cannot bind you. Completely eliminate the sicknesses of sinking and agitation, and naturally forget the intention of questions and answers. Furthermore, right now the Stage of Succession is visible within the light of the Buddha's prajñā—what matter is not realized?” The Emperor nodded in agreement several times. The Master instructed the assembly, saying: “The immortal Zhang Guolao / Rides his donkey passing through the marketplace. / One only hears the clatter of hooves; / Who knows it is made of paper?” Later he retired to Mingjiao's Yong'an Hermitage, wandering carefree and content. He had a verse inscribed on the wall: “Plum blossoms in the snow, news of spring; / Moonlight in the pond, the night's vitality. / Over the years, could there truly be no fine interest? / Do not take our house style and hold it up to others.” In the eighth month of the bingshen year of Chunxi, he manifested a slight illness, wrote a verse, and passed away. His stupa was erected at Yong'an.