續傳燈錄 35.37

35.37

臨安府徑山荊叟禪師諱如珏。婺州人。室中僧問。如何是佛。師答曰。爛冬瓜。仍頌云。如何是佛爛冬瓜。咬著氷霜透齒牙。根蒂雖然無窖子。一年一度一開花。

Chan Master Jingsou of Jingshan in Lin'an Prefecture was named Rujue. He was a native of Wuzhou. In the room, a monk asked, 'What is the Buddha?' The Master answered, 'A rotten winter melon.' He then eulogized it: '"What is the Buddha? A rotten winter melon!" / Biting into it, ice and frost pierce teeth and gums. / Although the root and stem have no cellar, / Once a year, each time it blossoms.'