續傳燈錄 7.30

7.30

Chan Master Tan of Xingjiao Cloister in Xuanzhou was a son of the Niu family of Yongjia. His trade was silversmithing. Through tempering and polishing bottles and vessels, he had an awakening. He then left home and studied under Langya, immediately chiming with his dynamic phrases. Later he relied on Chan Master Tianyi Huai, who was residing at Xingjiao at the time and promoted him to head monk. When Huai accepted another invitation, he wished to report to the prefecture to petition that the Master succeed him. At that time, Academician Diao Jingchun was prefect of Wanling. Huai feared that Diao might be swayed by outside opinions, so he prayed before Avalokiteśvara, saying, "If Head Monk Tan's eye of the Way is clear and he is capable of assuming the abbacy, may a dream be shown to Academician Diao." That night, Diao dreamed of an ox upon the Dharma seat at Xingjiao. At dawn Huai took leave of the prefecture, and Diao brought up what he had dreamed. Huai laughed heartily. Diao asked the reason, and Huai said, "Head Monk Tan's surname is Niu [Ox], and he was also born in the year of the Ox." Diao stepped to his seat, issued a letter of appointment, and invited him. The Master accepted the invitation and ascended the seat. Xingzong, the fundraiser for Xuedou, came forward and asked, "Before the buddhas appeared in the world, everyone's nostrils pointed high to the heavens; after they appeared in the world, why is there no news at all?" The Master said, "Before Cock's Foot Peak, the wind is silent." Zong said, "Not yet; speak further!" The Master said, "Heavy snow fills Chang'an." Zong said, "Who knows this meaning? It makes me recall Nanquan!" He flipped his sleeves and returned to the assembly, not bowing at all. The Master said, "The new Xingjiao has suffered a defeat today," and returned to the abbot's quarters. He sent someone to invite Zong to come. The Master said, "Just now I mistakenly answered with a turning word; why did you not bow before the assembly of humans and devas to cover it up?" Zong said, "Under a real man's knees there is gold; how could I be willing to bow to a blind elder?" The Master said, "I have other words." Zong then went over the previous words up to the point of "Not yet; speak further!" The Master said, "I have thirty blows of the stick to send with you to strike Xuedou." Zong then bowed.