傳法正宗記 7.79

7.79

In the sixth generation from Dajian, there was Chan Master Yixuan of Linji in Zhenzhou. He was a man from Nanhua in Caozhou, whose surname was Xing. From youth he possessed far-reaching aspirations, and upon receiving the precepts, he applied himself earnestly to studying the ancestral vehicle. When he came to Huangbo's Dharma assembly, the head monk at first encouraged the Chan Master to question Huangbo about the Dharma, saying, "What is the real meaning of the Patriarch coming from the West?" Huangbo immediately struck him. The Master asked three times in all, and Huangbo struck him three times as well. Because of this, the Master took his leave of the head monk. The head monk thereupon said to Huangbo, "Although Yixuan is a junior, he is teachable. If he takes leave and departs, you should use many means to receive him." The next day, when Yixuan indeed took his leave, Huangbo said to him, "You may go to Dayu." When Yixuan arrived, Dayu consequently asked, "Where have you come from?" Yixuan said, "I have come from Huangbo." Dayu said, "What teachings did Huangbo have?" Yixuan said, "I once asked three times, 'What is the real meaning of coming from the West?' and received three beatings from him. I do not know where my fault lay." Dayu said, "Huangbo was so grandmotherly, wearing himself out completely for your sake, yet you still look for where the fault lay!" Yixuan thereupon had a great awakening and said, "After all, there isn't much to the Buddha-Dharma!" Dayu grabbed Yixuan at once and said, "Just a moment ago you said, 'I do not understand,' and now you say there isn't much to it! How much is it? How much is it?" Yixuan thereupon struck Dayu in the ribs three times with his fists. Dayu pushed Yixuan away and said, "Your master is Huangbo; this is none of my business!" Yixuan then returned to Huangbo. Huangbo asked, "Why have you returned so soon?" Yixuan said, "Only because of your grandmotherly kindness." Huangbo said, "Just wait until I see that old fellow Dayu—I will give him a thrashing!" Yixuan said, "Why talk of waiting to see him? Strike him right now!" and gave Huangbo a slap. Huangbo let out a hearty laugh. Later, the Chan Master returned to Zhao. The people of Zhao admired him and invited him to reside at Linji. Students heard of his reputation and came to rely on him from afar. The Dharma heirs he produced numbered twenty-four in all: the first was named Zhixian of Guanxi in Ezhou; the second was named Tankong of Youzhou; the third was named Upādhyāya Zhao of Baoshou in Zhenzhou; the fourth was named Huiran of Sansheng in Zhenzhou; the fifth was named Cunjiang of Weifu; the sixth was named Shancui of Dingzhou; the seventh was named Upādhyāya Wansui of Zhenzhou; the eighth was named Upādhyāya Yunshan; the ninth was named Hermitage Master Tongfeng; the tenth was named Hermitage Master Shanyang; the eleventh was named Upādhyāya Zhiyi of Zhuozhou; the twelfth was named Hermitage Master Huxi; the thirteenth was named Hermitage Master Fupen; the fourteenth was named Upādhyāya Licun of Xiangzhou; the fifteenth was named Upādhyāya Micang of Cangzhou; the sixteenth was named Qisong; the seventeenth was named Chan Master Xiu of Zhuozhou; the eighteenth was named Chan Master Che of Shanquan; the nineteenth was named Chan Master Jinsha; the twentieth was named Chan Master Yuncheng; the twenty-first was named Upādhyāya Mount Jiri of Silla; the twenty-second was named Dajue of Weifu; the twenty-third was named Senior Monk Ding; the twenty-fourth was named Senior Monk Huo.