續傳燈錄 8.20

8.20

汀州開元智孜禪師上堂。衲僧家向針眼裏藏身稍寬。大海中走馬甚窄。將軍不上便橋。勇士徒勞挂甲。晝行三千夜行八百。即不問。不動步一句作麼生道。若也道得觀音勢至文殊普賢秖在目前。若道不得直須撩起布裙緊峭草鞋參。上堂。寒空落落大地漫漫。雲生洞口水出高原。若也把定則十方世界恍然。若也放行則東西南北坦然。茫茫宇宙人無數。一箇箇鼻孔遼天。且問諸人把定即是放行即是。還有人斷得麼。若無人斷得。三門外有兩箇大漢。一箇張眉握劍。一箇努目揮拳。參。

Chan Master Zhìzī of Kāiyuán in Tīngzhōu ascended the hall: "For patch-robed monks, concealing the body within an eye of a needle is somewhat spacious, while galloping a horse across the great ocean is extremely narrow. The general does not mount the floating bridge; the brave warrior wastes his effort putting on armor. Traveling three thousand by day and eight hundred by night is not questioned. How do you utter the phrase of not moving a step? If you can utter it, Avalokiteśvara, Mahāsthāmaprāpta, Mañjuśrī, and Samantabhadra are right before your eyes. If you cannot utter it, you must hitch up your cloth skirt, tighten your straw sandals, and investigate!"
Ascending the hall, [he said], "The cold sky is vast and empty; the great earth is broad and boundless. Clouds emerge from the cave mouth; water pours forth from the high plateau. If you hold fast, the worlds of the ten directions are bewildered; if you let go, east, west, south, and north are clear and open. Throughout the boundless universe, people are countless, every single one with nostrils pointing to the heavens. Now let me ask you all: Is holding fast correct, or is letting go correct? Is there anyone who can decide? If no one can decide—outside the triple gate there are two big fellows: one raising his brows and gripping a sword, the other glaring with bulging eyes and swinging his fist. Investigate!"