續傳燈錄 4.34

4.34

廬山棲賢澄湜禪師建寧人。僧問。趙州石橋度驢度馬。三峽石橋當度何人。師曰。蝦蟇蚯蚓。曰恁麼則物物盡沾恩。師曰。踏不著。問仙洞昨朝師唱罷。棲賢今日請師宣。師曰。來日又作麼生。曰未審如何領會。師曰。箭過新羅。問如何是佛。師曰。張三李四。問古人斬蛇意旨如何。師曰。猶未知痛痒。問此是選佛場心空及第歸。學人如何得及第歸。師曰。不才謹退。晚參眾集。師曰。早晨不與諸人相見。今晚不可無言。便下座。問毘目仙人執善財手見微塵諸佛。秖如未執手時見箇甚麼。師曰。如今又見箇甚麼。上堂良久曰。幸好一盤飯。不可糝椒薑。雖然如此試唼噉看。便下座。

Chan Master Chengshi of Qixian on Mount Lu was a native of Jianning. A monk asked, "The stone bridge of Zhaozhou carries donkeys and carries horses; whom should the stone bridge of the Three Gorges carry?" The Master said, "Frogs and earthworms." The monk said, "If so, then each and every thing receives the favor fully." The Master said, "They do not step upon it." He asked, "Yesterday at Xiandong the Master finished singing; today at Qixian we ask the Master to proclaim it." The Master said, "What will you do tomorrow?" The monk said, "I do not know how to understand this." The Master said, "The arrow has passed Silla." He asked, "What is the Buddha?" The Master said, "Zhang the Third and Li the Fourth." He asked, "What was the ancient's intention in slaying the snake?" The Master said, "He still did not know pain or itch." He asked, "This is the examination ground for choosing Buddhas, where those with empty minds pass and return home. How can this student pass and return home?" The Master said, "Lacking talent, I respectfully retire." At the evening gathering, when the assembly had assembled, the Master said, "This morning I did not meet with you all; tonight I cannot be without words." He then stepped down from the seat. A monk asked, "The ṛṣi Vimalanetra took Sudhana's hand and saw Buddhas numerous as fine dust. Just before he took his hand, what did he see?" The Master said, "What do you see now?" Having ascended the hall, after a long pause, the Master said, "Fortunately there is a good plate of rice; one must not sprinkle pepper and ginger over it. Even though it is like this, try to peck and eat it." He then stepped down from the seat.