---
title: "古尊宿語錄 · 語錄"
description: "古尊宿语录由宋代僧人賾藏主编纂，是一部汇集唐宋时期禅宗高僧语录的重要典籍。该书收录了马祖道一、百丈怀海、黄檗希运等数十位著名禅师的言行开示，内容涵盖公案、机锋、法语等，生动展现了禅宗直指人心的教学风格。作为研究唐宋禅宗思想的第一手资料，古尊宿语录不仅记录了临济宗、沩仰宗等各派祖师接引学人的珍贵对话，更体现了禅宗不立文字、教外别传的特质。这部语录与景德传灯录并称为宋代两大禅宗文献，对后世禅学发展影响深远，是了解中国禅宗历史与思想的核心经典之一。"
url: "https://rushiwowen.co/en/r/cma8zkc230asgib04ki7nkknp"
---

師諱省念。萊州狄氏子。入院上堂云。佛法付與國王．大臣．有力檀那。令其佛法不斷絕。燈燈相續。至于今日。大眾。且道續箇甚麼。良久。云。今日須是迦葉師兄始得。　時有僧問。靈山一會。何異今朝。　師云。墮坑落塹。僧云。為什麼如此。　師云。瞎。　僧問。師唱誰家曲。宗風嗣阿誰。　師云。少室巖前親掌示。　僧云。更請洪音和一聲。師云。如今也要大家知。　問。如何是和尚家風。　師云。一言截斷千江口。萬仞峯前始得玄。　問。如何是首山境。師云。一任眾人看。　僧云。如何是境中人。　師云。喫棒得也未。僧禮拜。　師云。喫棒且待別時。　問。如何是佛法大意。　師云。楚王城畔。汝水東流。　僧云。如何是學人親切處。　師云。五九盡日又逢春。　僧云。畢竟事如何。　師云。冬到寒食一百五。　問。司徒郎中臨座側。祖胤西來願舉揚。　師云。王臣三請今朝赴。萬民樂業普皆安。　僧云。與麼則慈雲普潤。處處皆通也。　師云。野老謳歌。時人皆唱。復云。諸上座。佛法無多子。只是你諸人自信不及。若也自信得去。千聖出頭來你面前亦無下口處。何故。只為你自信得及。不向外馳求。所以柰何不得。直饒釋迦老子到這裏。也與三十棒。然則如此。初心後學憑箇什麼道理。且問你諸人還得恁麼也未。良久。云。若得恁麼。直須恁麼。無事。珍重。

> The Master was named Sheng Nian, a native of Laizhou, son of the Di family. Upon entering the monastery and ascending the hall, he said, "The Buddhadharma is entrusted to kings, ministers, and powerful benefactors, that it may never be cut off, and the lamp of wisdom may pass from one to another down to this very day. Great assembly, tell me—what is it that continues?" After a long pause, he said, "Today, it must be Elder Kāśyapa who continues it." At that time, a monk asked, "How does the gathering at Vulture Peak differ from today's assembly?" The Master said, "You've fallen into a pit and a ditch." The monk asked, "Why is that so?" The Master said, "Blind." Another monk asked, "Whose song does the Master sing? Whose lineage does the school inherit?" The Master said, "Before Shaoshi Cliff, personally shown by the palm." The monk said, "Please, Master, let your great voice echo in harmony." The Master said, "Now it must be known by all." A monk asked, "What is the Master's family style?" The Master said, "One word cuts off the thousand rivers' mouths; only before the ten-thousand-ren peak is the mystery attained." A monk asked, "What is the realm of Mount Shou?" The Master said, "Let everyone look as they please." The monk asked, "What is the person within the realm?" The Master said, "Have you received the blow yet?" The monk bowed. The Master said, "The blow can wait for another time." A monk asked, "What is the great meaning of the Buddhadharma?" The Master said, "By the walls of King Chu's city, the Ru River flows eastward." The monk asked, "What is the disciple's true point of intimacy?" The Master said, "When the nine periods of five are over, spring comes again." The monk asked, "What of the ultimate matter?" The Master said, "From winter solstice to Cold Food Festival is one hundred and five days." A monk asked, "When the minister and governor sit at your side, the patriarch's legacy from the west is requested to be proclaimed." The Master said, "Now that the king and ministers have asked three times, I come today. The people rejoice in their work and rest in peace." The monk said, "Thus the cloud of compassion moistens all, and every place is accessible." The Master said, "The old village singers all lift their voices in song." Then he added, "Worthy elders, the Buddhadharma is not much. It's just that you yourselves do not have enough faith in yourselves. If you could truly trust yourselves, then even if a thousand sages appeared before you, they would have no place to put their mouths. Why? Because if you trust yourselves fully, you do not run outside seeking—and so nothing can get to you. Even if Venerable Śākyamuni himself came here, he too would receive thirty blows. Even so, for beginners and later students, what principle can they rely on? I ask you all—can you attain this or not?" After a long silence, he said, "If you can be thus, you must truly be thus. No more business. Take care."

上堂。僧問。從上諸聖向什麼處行履。　師云。牽犁拽杷。問。古人拈槌竪拂。意旨如何。　師云。孤峯無宿客。　僧云。未審意旨如何。　師云。不是守株人。　問。如何是菩提道。師云。此去襄縣五里。　僧云。向上事如何。　師云。往來不易。

> The Master ascended the hall. A monk asked, "Where do all the sages from the past walk?" The Master said, "They pull the plow and drag the rake." The monk asked, "When the ancients raised the mallet or lifted the whisk, what was the meaning?" The Master said, "A solitary peak has no lingering guests." The monk said, "I do not understand—what is the meaning?" The Master said, "It is not for those who wait by a tree stump." The monk asked, "What is the path of enlightenment?" The Master said, "From here to Xian County is five miles." The monk asked, "What about the ultimate matter?" The Master said, "Traveling back and forth is not easy."

上堂。僧問。如何是首山。　師云。東山高。西山低。　僧云。如何是山中人。　師云。恰遇棒不在。僧禮拜。師便打。　問。如何是道。　師云。爐中有火無心撥。處處無蹤任意遊。　僧云。如何是道中人。　師云。坐看煙霞秀。不與白雲齊。　問。諸聖說不到處。請師提唱。　師云。萬里神光都一照。誰人敢並日輪齊。　問。學人身心聚散時如何。　師云。不聞天樂響。　僧云。如何收攝。　師云。莫逐四時移。　問。菩薩未成佛時如何。　師云。眾生。　僧云。成佛後如何。　師云。眾生。眾生。　問。覺花未發時。如何辨真實。　師云。冬不寒。臈後看。　僧云。莫便是也無。　師云。錯。　問。六國未寧時如何。　師云。什麼處去來。　僧云。寧後如何。　師云。大地火起。　問。寶劒未出匣時如何。　師云。怨阿誰。　僧云。出匣後如何。　師云。不斬無罪之人。僧禮拜。　師云。斬。　問。寶劒未出匣時如何。　師云。你不惜猶可。　僧云。出後如何。　師云。伏惟尚饗。　僧云。忽遇師子吼時如何。　師云。一任野干鳴。僧便喝。　師云。果然。僧又喝。　師云。放你三十棒。僧禮拜。　師云。這瞎漢。　復云。諸上座。不得盲喝亂喝。者裏尋常向你道。賓則始終賓。主則始終主。賓無二賓。主無二主。若有二賓二主。即是兩箇瞎漢。所以我若立時。你須坐。我若坐時。你須立。坐則共你坐。立則共你立。雖然如是。到這裏。急著眼始得。若是眼孔定動。即千里萬里。何故如此。如隔牕看馬騎相似。擬議即沒交涉。諸上座。既然於此留心。直須子細。不要掠虗好。他日異時賺著你在。諸人若也有事。近前。無事。珍重。

> The master entered the hall. A monk asked, "What is Shoushan?" The master said, "The eastern mountain is high; the western mountain is low." The monk asked, "What is the person in the mountain?" The master said, "It just so happens the staff isn't here." The monk bowed. The master then struck him. A monk asked, "What is the Way?" The master said, "The fire in the furnace isn't tended on purpose; leaving no trace anywhere, one roams freely." The monk asked, "What is the person of the Way?" The master said, "Sitting and watching the beautiful mist and clouds, not level with the white clouds." A monk asked, "Please, Master, speak on what the saints cannot express." The master said, "The divine light shines over ten thousand miles—who dares to rival the sun?" A monk asked, "What if the body and mind of a student scatter and gather?" The master said, "Haven't you heard the heavenly music?" The monk asked, "How should one gather them back?" The master said, "Don't follow the changing seasons." A monk asked, "What is it like before a bodhisattva becomes a Buddha?" The master said, "A sentient being." The monk asked, "What about after becoming a Buddha?" The master said, "A sentient being, a sentient being." A monk asked, "When the flower of awakening hasn't yet bloomed, how can one discern what is real?" The master said, "If the winter isn't cold, check after the twelfth month." The monk asked, "Is that it?" The master said, "Wrong." A monk asked, "What about when the six kingdoms are not yet at peace?" The master said, "Where have you been?" The monk asked, "What about after they are at peace?" The master said, "A great fire blazes across the earth." A monk asked, "What about when the treasure sword hasn't yet left its sheath?" The master said, "Who do you blame?" The monk asked, "What about after it leaves the sheath?" The master said, "It doesn't strike an innocent person." The monk bowed. The master said, "Strike!" A monk asked, "What about when the treasure sword hasn't yet left its sheath?" The master said, "It wouldn't matter if you were careless." The monk asked, "And after it leaves?" The master said, "We offer this humble tribute." The monk asked, "What if suddenly a lion's roar comes?" The master said, "Let the jackals howl as they please." The monk then shouted. The master said, "Just as I thought." The monk shouted again. The master said, "I'll spare you thirty blows." The monk bowed. The master said, "This blind fellow!" Then the master added, "All you venerable ones—don't shout blindly or wildly. I've often told you: guest is always guest, host is always host. There's no second guest, no second host. If there were two guests and two hosts, that would be two blind men. So when I stand, you must sit. When I sit, you must stand. If sitting, I sit with you. If standing, I stand with you. Even so, at this point, you must keep your eyes sharp. If your gaze wavers, you're off by a thousand miles. Why? It's like watching someone ride a horse through a window. Hesitate, and you've missed it completely. All of you, since you're paying attention to this, you must be meticulous. Don't just skim the surface—someday that will deceive you. If any of you have matters, come forward. If not, take care."

上堂。僧問。蓮花未出水時如何。　師云。徧天徧地。　問。出水後如何。　師云。特地一場愁。　問。殺父殺母。佛前懺悔。殺佛殺祖。向什麼處懺悔。　師云。水深一丈。　問。離凡離聖。請師一句。　師云。不可錯怪老僧也。　僧云。謝師指示。師便打。　問。魚鼓未鳴時如何。　師云。望天不見天。　僧云。鳴後如何。　師云。󳬇地不見地。　問。和尚是大善知識。為什麼却首山。　師云。不坐孤峯頂。常伴白雲閑。　問。四眾圍繞。師說何法。　師云。打草祇要驚蛇。　僧云。未審怎生下手。　師云。適來洎合喪身失命。　問。不落三寸。請師速道。　師云。老僧到這裏却道不得。闍棃道看。　僧云。猶落三寸。請師別道。　師云。首山今日失利。　問。如何是首山境。　師云。千花逈秀。一葉長芳。　僧云。如何是境中人。　師云。好事不如無。　問。因緣未熟時如何。　師云。進。　僧云。熟後如何。　師云。退。　問。二龍爭珠。誰是得者。　師云。得者失。僧云。不得者又如何。　師云。珠在什麼處。僧擬議。師便打。　問。維摩默然。未審意旨如何。　師云。罕逢穿耳客。多遇刻舟人。　問。如何是首山出身語。　師云。誰人障閡得。僧云。與麼則自在去也。　師云。去即打折你腰。　師乃云。要得親切。第一莫將問來問。還會麼。問在答處。答在問處。你若將問來問。老僧在你脚底。你若擬議。則沒交涉。　時有僧出禮拜。師便打。僧問。挂錫幽巖時如何。師云。錯。　僧云。錯。師便打。

> The master took the high seat. A monk asked, "What about when the lotus has not yet emerged from the water?" The master said, "It fills the heavens and fills the earth." The monk asked, "What about after it has emerged?" The master said, "A special kind of worry." The monk asked, "If one kills one's father and mother, one can repent before the Buddha. But if one kills the Buddha and kills the patriarchs, where does one repent?" The master said, "The water is one zhang deep." The monk asked, "Please say a word that transcends the ordinary and the sacred." The master said, "Don't blame the old monk wrongly." The monk said, "Thank you for your instruction." The master then hit him. A monk asked, "What about before the fish-shaped drum has been struck?" The master said, "Looking at the sky, you don't see the sky." The monk asked, "What after it has been struck?" The master said, "Looking at the ground, you don't see the ground." A monk asked, "You, master, are a great teacher of goodness and knowledge. Why do you stay at Shoushan?" The master said, "I don't sit on the solitary peak, but constantly accompany the white clouds in their leisure." A monk asked, "When the four assemblies surround you, what Dharma do you speak?" The master said, "Beating the grass just to startle the snake." The monk said, "I don't understand. How does one go about it?" The master said, "Just now you nearly lost your life." A monk asked, "Without falling into the realm of words, please speak quickly." The master said, "The old monk can't speak here. You try saying something." The monk said, "That still falls into words. Please say it differently." The master said, "Shoushan has lost today." A monk asked, "What is the scene of Shoushan?" The master said, "A thousand flowers bloom in unique splendor; a single leaf remains fragrant forever." The monk asked, "What is the person within this scene?" The master said, "A good thing is better left undone." A monk asked, "What about when conditions are not yet ripe?" The master said, "Advance." The monk asked, "What about after they have ripened?" The master said, "Retreat." A monk asked, "When two dragons fight over a pearl, who is the one who gets it?" The master said, "The one who gets it loses it." The monk said, "What about the one who does not get it?" The master said, "Where is the pearl?" The monk began to hesitate, and the master hit him. A monk asked, "When Vimalakirti remained silent, what was his intention?" The master said, "One rarely meets a guest with pierced ears, but often meets people who carve marks on their boats." A monk asked, "What is a word from Shoushan that enables one to break free?" The master said, "Who can block you?" The monk said, "Then one is free and at ease." The master said, "If you go, I'll break your back." The master then said, "If you want to be intimate, first, do not bring a question to ask. Do you understand? The question is in the answer; the answer is in the question. If you bring a question to ask, the old monk is beneath your feet. If you hesitate, you'll miss it." At that moment a monk came forward and bowed. The master hit him. A monk asked, "What about hanging one's staff in a secluded cliff?" The master said, "Wrong." The monk said, "Wrong." The master hit him.

上堂。僧問。終日忙忙。那事無妨。如何是那事。　師云。孤峯頂上千花秀。萬仞嵳峩嶮處行。　僧云。莫便是和尚為人處也無。　師云。大眾謌謠送。千峯永不回。　僧云。回來底事又作麼生。　師云。粉骨碎身猶未報。三年一度送錢財。僧禮拜。　師云。噓。噓。　問。一切諸佛皆從此經出。未審此經從何而出。　師云。低聲。低聲。　僧云。如何受持。師云。切不得染汙。　問。作何行業。報得四恩三有。　師云。殺人放火。　僧云。與麼則大作業底人也。　師云。苦痛深。問。世尊滅後。法付何人。　師云。好箇問頭。無人答得。　僧云。如何是世尊不說說。　師云。任從滄海變。終不為君通。　僧云。如何是迦葉不聞聞。　師云。聵人徒側耳。　問。古人言。見色便見心。諸法無形。將何所見。　師云。一家有事百家忙。　僧云。學人不會。乞師再指。　師云。三日後看取。　問。入京朝聖主。只到潼關却便回時如何。　師云。猶是鈍漢。　問。路逢達道人。不將語默對。未審將什麼對。師云。瞥爾三千界。　僧云。與麼則目視不勞也。　師云。天恩未遇。後悔難追。　問。仗鏌鎁劒來取師頭時如何。師噓一聲。　僧云。苦痛深。師便打。　問。得船便渡時如何。　師云。猶是鈍漢。　問。權借一問以為影草時如何。　師云。放你三十棒。　問。久在貧中。請師賑接。　師云。不接。　僧云。為什麼不接。　師云。喫棒得也未。隨聲便打。　問。如何是古佛心。　師云。鎮州蘿蔔重三斤。　問。龍宮海藏當有何物。請師一別。　師云。不掛三寸舌。　僧云。為什麼不掛三寸舌。　師云。誰知句後親。　問。不落僧祇。如何修證。　師云。近前來。與你道。僧近前。師便打。　問。丹霞掩耳。黃蘗拄杖。意旨如何。　師云。坐參都不問。暢殺子平生。　僧云。稀逢難遇。請師指示。　師云。莫椀鳴。　問。虗空以何為體。　師云。老僧在你脚底。　僧云。和尚為什麼在學人脚底。　師云。知你是瞎漢。　問。祇如和尚道老僧在你脚底。意旨如何。　師云。橫身不怕侵泥水。識者方知大作家。　問。祇如和尚道知你是箇瞎漢。又作麼生。　師云。將寶奉君君不識。却令瞽叟墮生盲。　問。如何是玄中的。　師云。有言須道却。　僧云。此意如何。　師云。無言鬼也嗔。　問。如何是衲僧眼。　師云。此問不當。　僧云。當後如何。　師云。堪作恁麼。　問。如何得離眾緣去。　師云。千年一遇。　僧云。不離時如何。　師云。立在眾人前。　問。諸佛未見時如何。　師云。拈匙不把筯。　僧云。見後如何。　師云。喫󰕖忘却匙。　問。佛未出世時如何。　師云。不可錯怪老僧也。　僧云。出後如何。師云。舉似天下人。　問。如何是超毗盧之句。稱釋迦之譚。　師云。妙語無多子。親言舉似誰。　僧云。湛然時如何。師云。未明心地諦。難過首山關。僧擬進語。師便打。　問。如何是大安樂底人。　師云。不見有一法。　僧云。將何為人。　師云。謝闍棃領話。　問。如何是常在底人。　師云。亂走作什麼。　問。一毫未發時如何。　師云。路逢穿耳客。　僧云。發後如何。　師云。不用更遲疑。　問。無絃一曲。請師音韻。師良久云。還聞麼。　僧云。不聞。　師云。何不高聲問著。　問。大悲千手眼。那箇是正眼。　師云。即便𣤩瞎。　僧云。𣤩瞎後如何。　師云。撈天摸地。　問。如何是和尚說法底口。　師云。掛在壁上。　僧云。忽有人來問時如何。　師云。待我取回來即向你道。　問。學人此處不薦。擬向南方時如何。師云。速。　僧云。却不恁麼去時如何。　師云。後會雖逢。　問。如何是離凡聖底句。　師云。嵩山安國師。　僧云。莫便是和尚極則處也無。　師云。南岳讓和尚。　僧云。如何是和尚家風。　師云。無絲傀儡有人牽。　僧云。牽後如何。　師云。妙有無言不較多。　僧云。如何是妙有無言不較多。　師云。有言須得句。　僧云。如何是無絲傀儡有人牽。　師云。當明提祖道。方得後人棲。　問。學人乍入叢林。乞師指示。　師云。闍棃到老僧會裏得多少時。　僧云。經冬過夏。師云。莫錯舉似人。　問。有一人蕩盡來時。師還接也無。師云。蕩盡即致。那一人是誰。　僧云。風高月冷。　師云。僧堂內幾人坐臥。僧無語。　師云。賺殺老僧。　問。學人求出世間時如何。　師云。借水獻花先供養。莫教落後索香錢。　僧云。死生事大。乞師一薦。　師云。透漏遺蹤無走路。僧云。恁麼則被他捉著也。　師云。今日到長安。　問。如來演說三乘教。未審是什麼教。　師云。千言無一中。　僧云。為什麼千言無一中。　師云。不是上鈎人。　問。一切法皆空。如何悟得真空理。　師云。南地先抽笋。塞北著皮裘。僧云。莫落是非也無。　師云。自家看取。　問。青青翠竹還有佛性也無。　師云。南天北地。　僧云。恁麼則推窮佛理也。　師云。北地南天。　問。鐘鼓未鳴時如何。　師云。問前不鳴問後打。僧擬議。師便喝。　問。如何是迦葉門前一盞燈。　師云。孤峯朗月連天照。性似寒泉徹底清。　僧云。勞而無功時如何。　師云。日輪當午無私照。自是時人見有移。　問。寶劒未出匣時如何。　師云。大洋海底澄心鏡。僧云。出匣後如何。　師云。天外吒沙獨擺捎。　師乃云。第一句薦得。堪與祖佛為師。第二句薦得。堪與人天為師。第三句薦得。自救不了。　時有僧問。如何是第一句。師云。大用不揚眉。棒下須見血。　僧云。慈悲何在。　師云。送出三門外。　問。如何是第二句。　師云。不打恁麼驢漢。僧云。將接何人。　師云。如斯爭柰何。　問。如何是第三句。師云。解問無人答。　僧云。即今祇對者是誰。　師云。莫使外人知。　僧云。和尚是第幾句薦得。　師云。月落三更穿市過。　問。維摩一默。文殊贊善。未審此意如何。　師云。當時聽眾必不如是。　僧云。既不如是。維摩默然又且如何。　師云。知恩者少。負恩者多。乃云。若論此事。實不掛一箇元字脚。便下座。

> The Master ascended the hall. A monk asked, "Busy all day long, yet that matter is unaffected. What is that matter?" The Master said, "On the solitary peak, a thousand flowers bloom; on the ten-thousand-foot crag, walk where it's steep." The monk said, "Isn't this the Master's way of guiding people?" The Master said, "The crowd sings songs of farewell; a thousand peaks never return." The monk said, "What about the one who returns?" The Master said, "Even grinding bones to dust and shattering the body is not enough to repay; once every three years, we send gifts of money." The monk bowed. The Master said, "Hush, hush." A monk asked, "All Buddhas emerge from this sutra. May I ask where this sutra emerges from?" The Master said, "Lower your voice, lower your voice." The monk said, "How should one uphold it?" The Master said, "Be careful not to defile it." A monk asked, "What deeds should one perform to repay the four kindnesses and the three realms?" The Master said, "Kill people, set fires." The monk said, "If so, then you're someone who commits great deeds!" The Master said, "The pain runs deep." A monk asked, "After the World-Honored One's nirvana, to whom was the Dharma entrusted?" The Master said, "A fine question—no one can answer it." The monk said, "What is the World-Honored One's 'speaking without speaking'?" The Master said, "Though the blue sea may change, I will never tell you." The monk said, "What is Kashyapa's 'hearing without hearing'?" The Master said, "The deaf man strains his ear in vain." A monk asked, "The ancients said, 'See form and you see the mind.' All dharmas are formless—what is there to see?" The Master said, "One family has trouble, a hundred families bustle." The monk said, "I don't understand. Please, Master, point again." The Master said, "Look after three days." A monk asked, "What about going to the capital to see the sage emperor, but only reaching Tong Pass and turning back?" The Master said, "Still a dullard." A monk asked, "Meeting an enlightened person on the road, not responding with words or silence—what should one respond with?" The Master said, "In a flash, the three thousand worlds." The monk said, "If so, then no need to strain the eyes." The Master said, "If you haven't met heaven's grace, regret will be hard to chase away." A monk asked, "What if I come with the sword Moye to take your head, Master?" The Master gave a soft "Hush." The monk said, "The pain runs deep." The Master struck him. A monk asked, "What about when you've got the boat and can cross right away?" The Master said, "Still a dullard." A monk asked, "I'll borrow a question as a shadow-grass—what then?" The Master said, "I'll spare you thirty blows." A monk asked, "Long mired in poverty, please, Master, relieve me." The Master said, "I won't relieve you." The monk said, "Why not?" The Master said, "Have you had your beating yet?" And with the sound, he struck. A monk asked, "What is the mind of the Ancient Buddha?" The Master said, "The turnip from Zhenzhou weighs three catties." A monk asked, "What is in the Dragon Palace's sea treasury? Please, Master, distinguish it for me." The Master said, "I won't hang it on this three-inch tongue." The monk said, "Why won't you hang it on the three-inch tongue?" The Master said, "Who knows the intimacy beyond words?" A monk asked, "Without falling into the three countless eons, how does one cultivate and realize?" The Master said, "Come closer, and I'll tell you." The monk came closer, and the Master struck. A monk asked, "Danxia covered his ears, Huangbo held up his staff—what's the meaning?" The Master said, "Sitting in meditation, you ask nothing—this pleases me to no end." The monk said, "Rare to encounter, hard to meet—please, Master, point it out." The Master said, "Don't clang the bowl." A monk asked, "What is the substance of empty space?" The Master said, "This old monk is beneath your feet." The monk said, "Why is the Master beneath this student's feet?" The Master said, "I know you're a blind man." A monk asked, "When the Master says, 'This old monk is beneath your feet,' what's the meaning?" The Master said, "Stretching out the body, unafraid of mud and water; only the one who knows recognizes the great master." A monk asked, "When the Master says, 'I know you're a blind man,' what then?" The Master said, "I offer you a jewel, but you don't recognize it; instead, you make the blind man fall into deeper blindness." A monk asked, "What is the mystery within mystery?" The Master said, "If there are words, they must be spoken." The monk said, "What does this mean?" The Master said, "Without words, even ghosts get angry." A monk asked, "What is the eye of a monk?" The Master said, "This question doesn't fit." The monk said, "What about after it fits?" The Master said, "What would that be good for?" A monk asked, "How does one get free from the many conditions?" The Master said, "Once in a thousand years." The monk said, "What about not being free?" The Master said, "Stand before the crowd." A monk asked, "What about before the Buddhas appear?" The Master said, "Picking up the spoon, not holding the chopsticks." The monk said, "What about after they appear?" The Master said, "Eating, and forgetting the spoon." A monk asked, "What about before the Buddha came into the world?" The Master said, "Don't wrongly blame this old monk." The monk said, "What about after he came?" The Master said, "Show it to the whole world." A monk asked, "What is the phrase that surpasses Vairocana and matches Shakyamuni's discourse?" The Master said, "Wonderful words are few; to whom do I present this intimate speech?" The monk said, "What about when all is calm?" The Master said, "Without understanding the mind-ground truth, it's hard to pass the Shou Mountain gate." The monk tried to speak further, and the Master struck. A monk asked, "What is a person of great peace and joy?" The Master said, "He sees not a single dharma." The monk said, "Then what does he offer to others?" The Master said, "Thank you for receiving these words." A monk asked, "What is a person who is always present?" The Master said, "Why are you running around wildly?" A monk asked, "What about before a single hair is stirred?" The Master said, "On the road, you meet a man with pierced ears." The monk said, "What about after it's stirred?" The Master said, "No need to hesitate further." A monk asked, "A stringless tune—please, Master, play its melody." The Master was silent for a long while, then said, "Do you hear it?" The monk said, "I don't hear it." The Master said, "Why not ask in a louder voice?" A monk asked, "The Great Compassionate One has a thousand hands and eyes—which is the true eye?" The Master said, "Immediately blinded." The monk said, "What after being blinded?" The Master said, "Groping the sky, feeling the earth." A monk asked, "What is the mouth of the Master's teaching?" The Master said, "Hanging on the wall." The monk said, "If someone suddenly comes to ask, what then?" The Master said, "Wait until I retrieve it, then I'll tell you." A monk asked, "If I don't get it here and plan to go south, what then?" The Master said, "Quick." The monk said, "What if I don't go that way?" The Master said, "Though we may meet again." A monk asked, "What is the phrase that transcends the ordinary and the sacred?" The Master said, "National Teacher An of Songshan." The monk said, "Isn't this the Master's ultimate point?" The Master said, "Master Rang of Nanyue." The monk said, "What is the Master's family style?" The Master said, "A stringless puppet, yet someone pulls it." The monk said, "What after it's pulled?" The Master said, "Wonderful being, wordless, not much to say." The monk said, "What is 'wonderful being, wordless, not much to say'?" The Master said, "If there are words, they must form a phrase." The monk said, "What is 'a stringless puppet, yet someone pulls it'?" The Master said, "Clearly uphold the ancestral path, so later people may dwell." A monk asked, "I've just entered the monastery. Please, Master, give me guidance." The Master said, "How long have you been in this old monk's assembly?" The monk said, "Through winter and summer." The Master said, "Don't misrepresent this to others." A monk asked, "If someone comes having squandered everything, would the Master still receive him?" The Master said, "Setting aside the squandering—who is that person?" The monk said, "The wind is high, the moon is cold." The Master said, "How many people sit or lie in the monks' hall?" The monk was silent. The Master said, "You've deceived this old monk." A monk asked, "I seek to escape the world—what then?" The Master said, "Borrow water to offer flowers as a first offering; don't lag behind and ask for incense money." The monk said, "Matters of life and death are great. Please, Master, point the way." The Master said, "Leaking through traces of the old path—there's no road to walk." The monk said, "If so, then he's caught by it." The Master said, "Today I've arrived at Chang'an." A monk asked, "The Tathagata expounded the three vehicles—what teaching is that?" The Master said, "A thousand words, not one hits the mark." The monk said, "Why a thousand words, not one hitting the mark?" The Master said, "He's not one who takes the hook." A monk asked, "All dharmas are empty—how does one awaken to the truth of emptiness?" The Master said, "In the south, bamboo shoots sprout first; north of the border, one wears fur." The monk said, "Doesn't this fall into right and wrong?" The Master said, "Look for yourself." A monk asked, "Do green bamboo groves have Buddha-nature?" The Master said, "South of the sky, north of the earth." The monk said, "If so, then you're pushing to the limits of Buddha-truth." The Master said, "North of the earth, south of the sky." A monk asked, "Before the bell and drum sound, what then?" The Master said, "Not sounding before the question, striking after the question." The monk hesitated, and the Master shouted. A monk asked, "What is the lamp before Kashyapa's gate?" The Master said, "The lone peak's bright moon shines across the sky; nature like cold spring water, clear to the bottom." The monk said, "What about laboring without reward?" The Master said, "The sun at noon shines without partiality; it's just that people see it move." A monk asked, "Before the precious sword leaves its sheath, what then?" The Master said, "At the bottom of the great ocean, a mirror-clear mind." The monk said, "After it leaves the sheath?" The Master said, "Beyond the sky, it dances alone in the void." The Master then said, "If you grasp the first phrase, you're worthy to be teacher to patriarchs and Buddhas. If you grasp the second phrase, you're worthy to be teacher to humans and devas. If you grasp the third phrase, you can't even save yourself." At that time a monk asked, "What is the first phrase?" The Master said, "Great function without raising an eyebrow; at the blow, blood must appear." The monk said, "Where is compassion?" The Master said, "Send him out beyond the three gates." A monk asked, "What is the second phrase?" The Master said, "I won't strike such a donkey." The monk said, "Then who will you receive?" The Master said, "What can be done about such a one?" A monk asked, "What is the third phrase?" The Master said, "You know how to ask, but no one can answer." The monk said, "Who is the one responding right now?" The Master said, "Don't let outsiders know." The monk said, "Which phrase did the Master grasp?" The Master said, "At midnight, when the moon sets, I pass through the market." A monk asked, "Vimalakirti's silence, Manjushri's praise—what does this mean?" The Master said, "The audience at that time must not have been like this." The monk said, "If not like this, then what about Vimalakirti's silence?" The Master said, "Those who know gratitude are few; those who betray it are many." The Master then said, "If we're talking about this matter, it truly doesn't hang on a single word's foot." Then he stepped down from the seat.