續傳燈錄 3.13

3.13

Chan Master Zhiyuan of Longtan in Tangzhou took his leave of Fenyang. Fenyang said, "I have nothing else to send you off on your journey with except a staff and a towel." The Master said, "The upādhyāya may use the towel; as for the staff, there is no need for it." Fenyang said, "Just take it; it has its use." The Master took it. Fenyang said, "Yet you said there was no need for it!" The Master gave a shout. Fenyang said, "In the future, you will not yield to Linji." The Master said, "The true command is already in effect." The next day Fenyang saw him off at the mountain gate and asked, "When you meet Yuchi at Mount Jie, how will it be?" The Master said, "A single blade cut into two pieces." Fenyang said, "If he manifests as Nata, what then?" The Master dragged his staff along. Fenyang gave a shout and said, "This time it is entirely entrusted to you!" After becoming abbot, a monk asked, "I take note that the teaching states: 'This is true vigor; this is called offering the true Dharma to the Tathāgata.' What is the true Dharma?" The Master said, "Gathering at night, dispersing at dawn." A monk asked, "What is the Sword of Longtan?" The Master said, "It cannot be touched." The monk said, "What of one who uses it?" The Master said, "White bones stretching across the mountains." A monk asked, "Exhausting the scriptures in former days, practicing Chan today—how about this principle?" The Master said, "Two bets on a single roll of the dice." The monk said, "How should one understand it?" The Master said, "Leaving without a trace behind." The monk asked, "What is Buddha?" The Master said, "Fire burns it, yet it does not ignite." A monk asked, "When there is no Buddha in the ancient hall, how is it?" The Master said, "Palms joined before the mountain gate."