續傳燈錄 2.52

2.52

Senior Monk Rifang. A monk asked, "What is the phrase that encompasses heaven and earth?" The Master held up his staff. The monk asked, "What is the phrase that cuts off all streams?" The Master held his staff horizontally. The monk asked, "What is the phrase that follows the waves and pursues the currents?" The Master threw down his staff. The monk said, "Beyond the three phrases, please speak, Master." The Master simply got up and left. The Master praised the portrait of Kaifu: / His clear demeanor is lean, worthy of gazing upon and revering; / Yet revering him is not intimacy. / A wondrous brush depicted him, worthy of imitation and portrayal; / Yet portraying him is not the reality. / Neither intimate nor real, like the autumn moon in its full disk. / Having words without flavor, hitting the bullseye; / Though departed, he is as if present—where is he to be sought? / Concealing and revealing according to the moment, without a hair's breadth of error; / The golden crow at high noon, swift wind and thunderbolts.