No. 1377-A松源和尚語錄序
Preface to the Recorded Sayings of Master Songyuan
宗師提唱。各有語錄。叢林故事也。或曰釋迦掩室於摩竭。淨名杜口於毗耶。祖師西來。單傳直指。果何取於言語文字之間差乎。道一而已。或語或嘿。何間焉。宗門諸大老說法如雲如雨。後之學者因其言而有省者。多矣。且以近事觀之。多福一叢竹。是寶覺之悟門也。東山水上行。是玅喜之悟門也。玄沙之語。靈源𠬲得之而悟。汾陽之語。甘露滅得之而悟。機緣感發。箭鋒相直。又奚有語嘿之異哉。
The patriarchs and masters, in their efforts to guide disciples, each left behind recorded sayings. These form the stories and teachings of the monastic community.
Some say that Shakyamuni once hid himself in Magadha, and that Vimalakirti remained silent in Vaishali. The Patriarchs came from the West, transmitting the teaching directly and pointing directly to the mind. So what need is there for words and letters?
Ah, but the truth is simply one. Whether spoken or silent, what difference does it make?
The great teachers of the Zen tradition expounded Dharma like clouds and rain. Many later students, encountering their words, awakened to the truth.
Consider recent examples: - For Baojue, it was a bamboo grove in Duofu. - For Miaoxi, it was the "waters of the East Mountain flowing above." - Xuansha’s words caused Lingyuan to awaken. - Fenyang’s words caused Ganlu Mie to awaken.
When conditions ripen and the arrow of direct encounter strikes the target, what difference is there then between silence and speech?
松源禪師道眼孤高。具正知見。一缽去就。為諸方重輕者三十年矣。師既歿。其嗣惠足會稡其平生之言。 黃龍一翁禪師又撮取其玄要集為一編。予甞諦觀。自顛至末。無非提持佛祖向上之機。為人至深切也。予久從師遊。其為人天恣純篤。造詣端實。接引後學。一以本分見成公案。未甞以詞色假借衲子。盇專意於荷法而已。
Master Songyuan had eyes that saw alone and high, possessing true vision and correct understanding. For thirty years, his every action and decision was weighed and respected by the entire Buddhist community. After the master passed away, his Dharma heir Huizu gathered together his teachings from throughout his life. Master Huanglong Yiweng then selected the essential points and compiled them into a single volume.
I have carefully examined this work from beginning to end. Every part lifts up and supports the essential point of the Buddhas and Patriarchs—it is deeply and urgently meant to help others. I spent a long time studying with this master. His natural character was pure and sincere, his attainments solid and real. In guiding later students, he always used straightforward, ready-made cases—the original business itself—and never indulged in fancy words or clever expressions to please the monks. He was simply, wholeheartedly devoted to upholding the Dharma.
嗚呼。佛道陵夷。得 密菴之髓。以壽楊岐正脈。非師其誰歟。或問曰。禪師千言萬句。莫祇是發明箇破砂盆消息麼。咄。無孔鐵槌。
Alas, the path of the Buddha has declined. Who else but you, Master, has absorbed the essence of Mi'an and carried on the true lineage of Yangqi? Someone might ask: "Zen Master, with your thousands of words and countless phrases, are you only revealing the truth of a broken sand-pot?" Hah! An iron hammer without a hole.
嘉泰三年十月 回菴 譙令憲 謹序。