傳法正宗記 6.24

6.24

Having received the Dharma and the robe and bowl, Layman Huineng bowed and asked: “I have received your instruction concerning the Dharma; will the robe and bowl also be transmitted in the future?” The Venerable One said: “Formerly, Bodhidharma came from a foreign land, and though he transmitted the Dharma to the Second Patriarch, he feared the world would not believe his lineage; therefore he used the robe and bowl as proof. Now, throughout the realm, my lineage is known, and none disbelieve. Thus, this robe and bowl may cease with you. However, the true Dharma will become ever wider through you. If you insist on transmitting the robe, I fear it will give rise to dispute. Therefore it is said: ‘The life of the one who receives the robe hangs by a thread.’ You should depart at once. You ought to conceal yourself for a time, and only later transform [others].” Huineng asked again: “Where should I go now?” The Venerable One said: “Stop when you meet Huai; conceal yourself when you encounter Hui.” Huineng received the instruction and departed that very night. Thereafter, the Venerable One did not teach the Dharma for three days. The assembly was bewildered and collectively questioned him. The Venerable One said: “My Dharma has already gone south. What more is there to say?” The assembly asked again: “Who has obtained it?” He replied: “The capable one (Neng) has obtained it.” The assembly then realized that Layman Lu had received his Dharma, and pursued him, but Huineng was already gone. Four years later, the Venerable One suddenly said to the assembly one day: “My work is done; I may go now.” He then entered his room, sat in meditation, and passed away. This was in the yihai year, the second year of the Shangyuan era [675 CE]. His worldly age was seventy-four. The fourfold assembly erected a stūpa at the East Mountain of Huangmei. Emperor Daizong conferred the posthumous title Chan Master Daman, and the stūpa was named Fayu.