提楞嚴經
Shurangama Sutra
把住也黃金失色。放開也瓦礫生光。釋迦老子無端被你諸人勘破。觀世音菩薩將錢買餬餅。放下手却是饅頭。你諸兄弟若也不會。老僧禮你三拜。若也會得。我有三十棒。領出門外自打。為甚如此。正令欲行明賞罰。龍蛇場內決輸嬴。
When held tightly, even gold loses its luster. When let go, even rubble shines. Old man Shakyamuni has been seen through by all of you for no reason. Guanyin Bodhisattva took money to buy a flatbread, but when she put it down, it turned out to be a steamed bun. All you brothers, if you don't understand this, I, this old monk, will bow to you three times. If you do understand it, then I have thirty blows for you—take them outside the door and beat yourself. Why is this so? Because when the true decree is to be carried out, rewards and punishments must be made clear. In the arena of dragons and snakes, victory and defeat are decided.
舉不顧。即差互。擬思量。何劫悟。舉起拂子云。雲門大師來也。還見麼。見即便見。不得回頭轉腦。揮一尺云。還聞麼。聞即便聞。不得停思卜度。良久云。會麼。若會。出來與老僧相見。若不會。則老僧當面瞞諸人去也。
If you try to lift it up but don’t look, you’ll miss it. If you hesitate or try to figure it out, when will you ever awaken?
Holding up the whisk, the master said: “Master Yunmen is here! Do you see him? If you see, then see at once—don’t turn your head or think it over.”
He waved a ruler and said: “Do you hear it? If you hear, then hear at once—don’t stop to ponder or guess.”
After a long pause, he said: “Do you understand? If you do, come forward and meet me. If you don’t, then I’ve fooled you all to your faces.”
正月又過今二月。衲衣下事猶未瞥。杜䳌忽向上林啼。一聲兩聲都漏泄。不漏泄。踏著秤鎚硬似銕。靈利衲僧。不消老僧一揑。揑不揑。放一著。向第二門頭慢慢與你解說。
The first month has passed, and now it's the second. The monk's robe beneath—what's there? Still, I haven't glimpsed. Suddenly, the cuckoo cries from the upper grove, One call, two calls—all leaks out. No, nothing leaks out— Step on the scale: it's hard as iron. A sharp-eyed monk— No need for this old monk to even pinch. Pinch or not— Let it be. Go to the second gate, and I'll explain to you slowly.
宿雨連綿落不休。途人若個不懷愁。老僧室內無閑慮。只看韶陽六不放。召大眾云。且道韶陽老人道個六不收的意。落在甚麼處。莫是一六俱忘麼。莫是六合不收麼。莫是無事生事。閑言剩語麼。咄。且莫錯會好。須知玄關一路。千聖不傳。直須自己悟去。方始欺君不得。
Rain fell without end, lingering day after day. Every traveler on the road carried worry in their heart. But inside the old monk's room, there was no idle concern— He simply observed Shaoyang's "Six Not Retained."
The Master called out to the assembly: "Tell me—what is the meaning behind Elder Shaoyang's saying, 'Six Not Retained'? Does it mean forgetting both the six and the one? Does it mean the six realms of union cannot hold it? Or is it making trouble where none exists, idle chatter and extra words? Ha! Don't misunderstand this, for the Mysterious Gate itself has never been transmitted by a thousand saints. Each person must awaken to it on their own—only then can you never be fooled."
昨夜雨霶烹。打倒蒲桃棚。諸行人力撑的撑。拄的拄。撑撑拄拄到天明。依舊可憐生。召大眾云。此圓通訥和尚示眾語。當時咸謂其說平實頭禪。因此舉時。大眾改觀。山僧效顰。也有一偈。舉似大眾。昨夜雨乒乓。雷轟天地鳴。幸無虧心事。所以不喫驚。不敢望你改觀。只要應個時節。且道應時節一句作麼生道。良久云。未過驚蟄一聲雷。四十九日雪花飛。可憐蛇蟲窮性命。不知幾個受災危。
Last night the rain came down with a crash, Knocking down the grapevine's trellis in a flash. The workers propped and pushed with all their might, Propping and pushing until the morning light. But come the dawn, a pitiful sight remains.
The master called everyone together and said: "This was part of a teaching by the Venerable Nun訥 (Nè) of Yuantong. At the time, everyone praised it as plain and down-to-earth Chan talk. So when I repeated it, the whole assembly saw things differently. Now I'll follow in her footsteps and offer you my own verse:
Last night the rain came down with a bang, Thunder roared and heaven and earth rang. Lucky I've done nothing shameful, no cause for fear— That's why I didn't even flinch to hear.
I don't expect you to change your view. I just want to mark the season. So tell me: what's the phrase that marks the season's moment?"
After a long pause, he said: "Before the 'Awakening of Insects' day, a single thunderclap Sends snowflakes flying for forty-nine days on the map. Pity the poor snakes and bugs, their lives so frail— Who knows how many of them will suffer and fail?"
佛手驢脚生緣。對眾舉猶未全。石女呵呵大笑。北斗却向南看。召大眾云。黃龍和尚在山僧拂子頭上。坐寶華王座。喜動于顏。乃云。此三關語。老僧三十年勘驗學者。未有可意。經今一千餘年。無人舉著。你見個什麼。敢爾相舉。山僧對云。只曉得頭頂是天。脚踏是地。日間三頓飯。夜來一覺眠。中間不曉得什麼。這老漢見我恁麼抵對。懡㦬而退。兄弟。還有分得失的麼。如有。不妨怜悧。如無。也不得放過。
A Buddha’s hand, a donkey’s hoof, the conditions of birth— I present these to you, but still it’s not complete. The stone woman laughs out loud; The Big Dipper turns to gaze southward.
He called to the assembly, “The Chan master Huanglong is sitting on the jeweled lion throne atop my whisk. His face bright with joy, he says: ‘These three barriers have been my means of testing students for thirty years, yet none have satisfied me. Over a thousand years have passed, and no one has brought them up. What have you seen that you dare to raise this matter?’ I replied to him, ‘I only know that above my head is the sky, beneath my feet is earth, three meals during the day, and a peaceful sleep at night. As for anything in between, I don’t know a thing.’ Seeing my response, the old fellow, abashed, withdrew.”
Brothers, is there anyone here who can discern gain or loss? If so—well done, that’s keen. If not—still, don’t let it slip by.
今朝過了有明日。明朝又有明日在。自從曠劫被他瞞。直下頓明始痛快。不痛快。不可央庠作麼休。須怕閻王算飯債。
This morning passes, and there's tomorrow. Tomorrow comes, and there's another day after. Since beginningless time, we've been fooled by it. Only a sudden, complete awakening brings true freedom. If you're not free, don't drift along idly — You must fear the King of Death settling the debt of every meal.
熏風時至解寒襟。滑滑山禽啼上林。好個圓通消息至。只是時人不解聽。
A warm breeze arrives in time, loosening the cold from one's robe. Smoothly, birds sing in the mountain grove. A perfect and clear message of Complete Penetration is here— yet people of this age do not understand how to listen.
山僧不會說法。只好應個時節。無端抹過那頭。一切聖賢都殺。曾記得擎叉和尚無多言句。時中只持一條木叉道。道得也叉下死。道不得也叉下死。一日被人藏過。便以雙手托空。張口㘞地。這老漢將謂多少奇特。元來離却叉子。便伎倆已盡。山僧即不然。借得人一把拂子。東拈西弄。今日已被討去了。遂豎起指云。幸有這個不從人借的。甚是現成。而復人人有分。未證的。證取去好。
This mountain monk is not one for preaching the Dharma. I simply go along with the occasion. Suddenly, without reason, I've brushed past that point. All the noble saints and sages have been slain.
I recall the Zen master "Trident-Cane." He had no flowery words. At all times, he simply held up his wooden trident-cane and said, "Speak, and you die under this staff. Do not speak, and you also die under this staff."
One day, someone hid his staff. He could only support the empty air with both hands, opening his mouth wide and crying out, "Huah!" That old fellow, one might think him quite extraordinary. But in truth, once you took away his trident, he was at a complete loss.
This mountain monk is different. I borrowed a whisk from someone and toyed it around, left and right. Today, that whisk has been reclaimed. (The master then raises his finger.) Luckily, we have this—it is not borrowed from anyone. It is perfectly apparent, right here. And more than that, everyone already possesses it. Those who have not yet realized this: go ahead and realize it now.
九九八十一。犂耙一齊出。一年春計在此時。不論貧富貴賤。大家齊著力。召大眾云。且道著力句作麼生道。不見道交互明中暗。功齊轉覺難。力窮忘進步。金鎻網鞔鞔。還有竿頭進步。簾外翻身者也無。如無。且聽楞嚴經。
Ninety-nine times eighty-one. Plows and rakes come out together. The whole year's spring plan lies in this moment. Whether rich or poor, noble or lowly— Everyone works together with one effort.
The master calls to the assembly: "What is the phrase for 'working together with one effort'? Don't you see it said: 'In mutual illumination, hidden within the light, When effort is complete, it becomes hard to perceive. Exhausting your strength, you forget to advance further— The golden net covers all.'
Is there anyone who can take a step beyond the tip of the pole, Or flip their body beyond the curtain? If not, then listen to the Shurangama Sutra."
今朝二月十五。個個成佛作祖。釋迦老子唱言涅槃。一切人天以樂為苦。傍邊有個漢呵呵大笑。且道笑個什麼。
This morning, on the fifteenth day of the second month, each and every one has attained Buddhahood and become ancestors. Old man Shakyamuni preaches of Nirvana, yet all humans and gods mistake joy for suffering. Standing nearby, someone bursts into loud laughter. So tell me, what is he laughing at?
自地登空易。從空放下難。此中須著眼。莫作等閑看。已過關者。掉臂便行。未過關者看看。
Ascending from the ground into the sky is easy, But coming down from the sky back to the ground is hard. Keep your eyes wide open here— Don’t treat it as something ordinary. Those who have already passed the gate stride forward with arms swinging. Those who haven’t passed: take a close look.
殺活縱奪。把住放行。威風岸岸。有必行之令。氣宇堂堂。有莫犯之威。或時呵佛罵祖。不怕天雷霹𮦷。或時較因論果。却懼閻羅大王。且道托膽的是。小心的是。有定當得的麼。如無。老僧定去也。戴角披毛扶正令。渾身泥水有誰知。
Killing and enlivening, letting go and holding back. Imposing presence, like a wind that cannot be contained. With a steadfast command that must be carried out, and an aura of authority not to be defied. Sometimes they scold the Buddha and curse the ancestors, unafraid of heavenly thunderbolts. Other times they weigh causes and discuss effects, yet fear the King of Hell. So tell me: is it better to be bold, or to be cautious? Is there anyone who can truly decide? If not, then this old monk is off. In a horned, fur-covered form upholding the true command, soaked in mud from head to toe—who could know?
有句無句。如藤倚樹。樹倒藤枯。句歸何處。即五陰六入是有句。非五陰六入是無句。離此兩途。作麼生喚作五陰六入。
With words or without words, like a vine clinging to a tree. When the tree falls and the vine withers, where do the words go?
The five aggregates and six sense fields are words. The absence of the five aggregates and six sense fields is the absence of words. Apart from both of these, what could we call the five aggregates and six sense fields?
今朝二月十九。處處堤垂綠柳。春禽漏泄圓通。令人各各知有。召大眾云。觀世音菩薩遠辭普陀洛伽。來我拂子頭上示現降生。放大光明。炤耀天地。一處如是。一切處亦如是。一世界如是。一切世界亦如是。豎拂子云。還見麼。擊卓云。還聞麼。既見且聞。且道觀世音菩薩在甚麼處。良久云。處處綠楊堪繫馬。家家有路透長安。
This morning, the nineteenth day of the second lunar month, everywhere by the riverbanks the green willows hang down. Spring birds whisper of perfect interpenetration, calling each person to realize this for themselves. Summoning the assembly, I say: "The Bodhisattva Guanyin, far from Mount Potalaka, arrives on the tip of my fly-whisk to manifest her birth. She radiates great light, illuminating heaven and earth. If here is like this, then everywhere is like this. If one world is like this, then all worlds are like this." Raising the fly-whisk, I ask: "Do you see?" Tapping the table, I ask: "Do you hear?" Since you both see and hear, then tell me: Where exactly is the Bodhisattva Guanyin? After a long pause, I say: "Everywhere has a willow where you can tie your horse. Every home has a road leading to Chang'an."
提燈籠入山門來。移山門向佛殿裏。雲門恁麼道。奇特甚奇特。太煞費功夫。爭似我這裏將禪堂安在大殿上。喚作禪堂却是大殿。喚作大殿却是禪堂。可謂一舉兩得。極是現成。還有共相證明者麼。
Carrying a lantern, one enters the mountain gate, then moves the mountain gate into the Buddha hall. This way of speaking by Yunmen is indeed remarkable, yet it requires too much effort. How different it is here, where I place the meditation hall right on top of the main hall. Call it a meditation hall, and it's still the main hall; call it the main hall, and it's also the meditation hall. One could say this achieves two things at once—perfectly natural and effortless. Is there anyone who can bear witness to this together with me?
盡十方世界。拈來只是個拂子。海神以萬斛真珠。相配不起。古今未有一人酬價。獨有韶陽乾屎橛。猶較些子。山僧另討便宜。只這個拂子從人借得的。若被討去。則光赤赤。圓陀陀。脫體無依。滿盤托出。還有人酬價也無。如無。則賤貨自收去也。良久云。運退黃金失色。時來瓦礫生光。
In the ten directions of the world, this whisk is all that I hold up. Even the Ocean God offering ten thousand gallons of pearls couldn't match its worth. Throughout time, no one has ever bid a price for it—except the dried shit-stick of Shaoyang, which comes close. I'm here to find a bargain: this whisk was borrowed from someone else. If it's reclaimed, it'll be stripped bare, round and bright, utterly independent, laid out openly. Is there anyone who can offer a price? If not, I'll keep this cheap good for myself. After a pause: When fortune fades, gold loses its luster. When luck arrives, even rubble shines.
喚二作一。指七為八。手秉太阿。聖凡盡殺。却憶東村黃大姐。倒戴西村李公襪。無論貧富貴賤。見者聞者都笑殺。且道山僧今日解何宗。噫嘻噓。阿喇喇。
Calling two, one. Pointing at seven, calling it eight. Holding the Great Sword, slaying all sages and ordinary beings. Yet I recall Elder Sister Huang from the Eastern Village, wearing Master Li's socks upside down in the Western Village. Regardless of rich or poor, high or low—all who see or hear are killed by laughter. So tell me, what teaching does this mountain monk unravel today? Ah, ha ha—hissing—Alala!
萬代金輪聖王子。只這真如靈覺是。菩提樹下度眾生。度盡眾生出生死。召大眾云。要見聖王子麼。這拂子便是。要見真如靈覺麼。香罏燭臺是。且如拂子是借得的。香罏燭臺是常住的。既然物各有主。不可把他的認作自己。還識自己麼。山僧與你添些註脚。萬代金輪聖王子。夜半花猫趕老鼠。只遮真如靈覺是。曠劫至今不移此。菩提樹下度眾生。海庭泥牛睡正濃。度盡眾生出生死。赤脚趕過三千里。分付諸人。切須珍重。逢人不得錯舉。
The Prince of the Golden Wheel through endless ages— This very Suchness, this awakened knowing, is it. Beneath the Bodhi tree, he liberates all beings, Until every being is freed from birth and death.
The master called to the assembly: "Do you wish to see this Prince of Kings? This whisk is it. Do you wish to see Suchness and awakened knowing? The incense burner and candle stand are it.
But the whisk is borrowed. The incense burner and candle stand belong to the monastery. Since every object has its owner, you cannot mistake what belongs to another as your own. Yet, do you recognize your true self? Let this mountain monk add a few footnotes for you:
The Prince of the Golden Wheel through endless ages— At midnight, a striped cat chases a mouse. This very Suchness, this awakened knowing— From countless eons till now, it has never moved from here. Beneath the Bodhi tree, liberating beings— In the vast garden, a mud-ox sleeps deeply. Liberating every being from birth and death— Barefoot, chasing them over three thousand miles.
I entrust this to you all. Treasure it well. When you meet others, do not speak of it carelessly.
若人識得心。大地無寸土。不信女媧氏。天缺煉石補。召大眾云。且道山僧今日登此寶座。有何所補。良久云。舉意碎鐵鉢。無心射石虎。
If someone truly understands the mind, the whole earth has not an inch of soil. Do not believe in the goddess Nüwa, who melted stones to mend a tear in the sky. (The master calls to the assembly:) Tell me—what benefit is there today in my ascending this precious seat? (After a pause:) With intention, I smashed the iron bowl; without intention, I shot at the stone tiger.
正月二月又三月。一年四季佔一截。饒他暗裏流年換。惟有真心不生滅。大眾。正當生滅時。還有不生滅者麼。猿抱子歸青嶂裏。鳥啼花落碧巖前。
In the first, second, and third months, The four seasons each claim their portion. Though years may secretly pass away, Only the true mind neither arises nor ceases.
Everyone, at this moment of arising and ceasing, is there still something that neither arises nor ceases? The monkey carries its child into the green peaks, Birds sing as petals fall before the azure cliff.
入荒田。不揀草。信手拈來。不值乾撇棗。召大眾云。只如逢強即弱遇賤即貴時又作麼生。良久云。踏破銕鞋無覓處。得來全不費工夫。
Enter a wasteland. Don't pick the weeds. Reach out your hand, and you won't collect a single withered jujube. The Master called to the assembly: "But what about when encountering the strong you become weak, and meeting the lowly you become noble? How do you understand that?" After a long pause, he said: "Worn out iron shoes from searching everywhere, yet the treasure comes at no effort at all."
陽和布澤大地春。子規啼處是深林。聲聲勸道歸去好。不識渠儂何處人。召大眾云。你諸人曠劫來主人公喚甚麼名字。
The spring sun spreads its warmth across the earth. In the deep forest, a cuckoo calls. Its song urges us, "It's good to return home" — But do you know whose home it speaks of?
The master addresses the assembly: "From time without beginning, what name could you give to your true master?"
宿雨連綿奈若何。滿堂僧眾念摩訶。老天若肯生慈愍。撥散浮雲見大羅。召大眾云。且如紅日麗天時作麼生道。草木遂生花發笑。村庄是處唱堯歌。
Endless rains linger—what can be done? The hall of monks chants "Mahā." If the merciful heavens would take pity, Scatter the drifting clouds and reveal the Great Void.
Calling to the assembly: Consider the sun blazing in the sky—how would you describe it? Plants drink light, blossoms break into laughter; In every village, songs of peace ring out.
雲居不會禪。洗脚上床眠。冬瓜直儱侗。瓠子曲彎彎。雖則奇特。太煞露鋒芒。山僧也敢效顰。輙呈一偈。非敢與古人鬪勝。祇要兩般一賽。散木不會禪。人說只要錢。喫飽白米飯。百事無可言。
Yunju didn't understand Zen— He washed his feet and went to bed. Winter melons are simply round and stout; Bottle gourds are naturally curved and bent. Though this seems peculiar, it is far too sharp-edged. I, this mountain monk, dare to follow suit and offer a verse— Not daring to compete with the ancients, But merely to match them as equals.
This useless one knows nothing of Zen: People say I only care about money. Once I've eaten my fill of plain white rice, There's truly nothing left to say.
工部陳靜臺居士至。師云。春光蕩漾春風和。堤柳開顏鳥唱歌。粉蝶翩翩過墻去。祖師心印事如何。召大眾云。只如楞嚴會啟。龍象筵開。國士登臨。如何舉唱。昔日不忘親付囑。今朝猶向此中來。
Layman Chen Jingtai from the Ministry of Works arrived. The Master said:
"Spring light ripples, spring breeze is mild, Willow trees along the bank light up, birds sing, Pink butterflies flutter over the wall— What about the Patriarch's mind-seal?"
Then the Master called out to the assembly: "Here, the Shurangama Assembly begins, the gathering of dragons and elephants opens, and noble men attend. How shall we speak and sing? In the past, we never forgot the intimate instructions; today, we still come here for this very reason."
若人欲了知。三世一切佛。應觀法界性。一切惟心造。召大眾云。只如阿難遭淫術而生慌怖。見勝相而即修行。且道這個是心。不是心。若道是。何故如來咄云此非汝心。若道不是。一切惟心聻。還有定當得的麼。如無。山僧自道去也。是則龍女頓成佛。非則善星生陷墮。咄。
If a person wishes to understand All the Buddhas of the three times, They should observe the nature of the Dharma-realm: Everything is created by the mind.
Calling the assembly: "Take the case of Ananda—when faced with a seductive spell, he was frightened and confused; but upon seeing a wondrous vision, he immediately began to practice. Tell me: is this 'the mind' or not? If you say it is, then why did the Buddha scold him, saying, 'This is not your mind'? If you say it is not, then all things are created by the mind. Is there anyone here who can determine this with certainty? If not, this old monk will speak for himself. If it is, then the Dragon Girl instantly attained Buddhahood; if it is not, then Shankara was born into hell. A curse upon you!"
舉不顧。即差過。擬思量。何劫悟。雲門大師拈山門入佛殿裏即且置。還知移須彌納芥子中的。且道是甚麼人。
Does not lift, and you miss it. Think or ponder—what kalpa will you awaken? Master Yunmen said: "Moving the temple gate into the Buddha hall—let's set that aside for now. But do you know what it means to place Mount Sumeru inside a mustard seed? Tell me, what person is that?"
禹門三級桃花浪。神魚莫教遭點額。一躍直須萬丈高。自有風雲贈霹靂。召大眾云。且道透龍門句作麼生道。三級頓超逞奇特。一生方顯自英豪。
At the Dragon Gate, three tiers of waves crest like peach blossoms. Let not the divine fish suffer a speckled brow— One leap must soar ten thousand fathoms high. Then wind and clouds will naturally send thunderbolts.
The master called the assembly and said: "Tell me—how does one express the phrase 'passing through the Dragon Gate'?" Three tiers surpassed in a single bound reveals rare wonder; Only then in this lifetime does one truly show their own heroic spirit.
隨緣成辦事如何。赤脚波斯渡汨羅。三閭大夫施一問。直教石女眼懡㦬。召大眾云。且道問個甚麼。老僧眉毛長多少。
How does one act in accordance with conditions? A barefoot Persian crosses the Miluo River.① High Minister Qu Yuan poses a question,② Making a stone woman stare with empty eyes.③
The Master calls to the assembly and says: "Tell me, what question did he ask? How long are my old monk's eyebrows?"④
春風吹遍園林好。一夜殘紅落多少。真個光陰暗裏去。時人聞者皆懊惱。休懊惱。但聽子規無別語。聲聲勸道歸家好。且道家在什麼處。
Spring breezes sweep through the garden fair. How many fallen red petals lie in a single night? Time truly slips away in the shadows, stirring regret in those who hear. But do not lament. Just listen to the cuckoo’s call—its endless song urges you homeward. Now tell me, where is this home?
湛然老。精瞎禿。倒挂三千年。何曾傾出一點墨。雖然如此。尋常無半個低錢。要稱敵國富。路中拾得乾屎橛。對人說是返魂香。是這等討便宜漢。誰能如之。不似雲居羅漢披襟處。且做鞏縣茶瓶接嘴時。
Master Zhanran was old, both blind and bald. For three thousand years he hung upside down, Yet never spilled a single drop of ink.
Still, in daily life he hadn't a single coin to his name, Yet he claimed to rival the wealth of nations. Picking up a dry turd on the road, He'd tell people it was resurrection incense.
What a cheap trickster like this—who could match him? Not like the Yunjun Arhats, who let their robes hang open, Or like the Gongxian teapot, waiting for its spout to be touched.
綠滿園林翠欲流。子規啼血正綢繆。紙灰堆滿三千塚。哭到斜陽恨未休。召大眾云。為人一世。收成結果。不過如是而已。何似大千世界為丘塚。去來生死總在裏許。直教長河為酥酪。祭獻此人。他亦不受。且道是甚麼人。
Greenery fills the garden, emerald flows. The cuckoo weeps blood, lost in its sorrows. Piles of ash fill three thousand graves, Weeping until sunset, hate never fades.
The Master calls to the assembly: "A person's entire life—its final harvest and outcome—is nothing more than this. How is that any different from saying the whole universe is a graveyard? Coming and going, life and death—all are contained within it. Even if you made the great river into a river of cream, and offered it to this person, he would not accept it. Tell me, what kind of person is this?"
召大眾云。拂子昨夜作怪。化作龍吞却三千大千世界。許多六道四生。都向什麼處安身立命。還知落處麼。水向石邊流出冷。風從花裏過來香。
The master called the assembly together and said, "Last night, the fly whisk made mischief. It transformed into a dragon and swallowed the entire universe—the countless realms of the six paths and four kinds of beings. Where can they now find a place to settle and establish their lives? Do you understand where this all ends up?
*Water flows cool by the rocks, Wind carries fragrance through the flowers.*"
前山頭鴉鳴。後山頭鵲噪。祇這是圓通。沉思即不妙。妙不妙。啞子喫黃連。有口不解道。
Crows caw on the front hill, Magpies chatter on the back hill. Right here is perfect clarity— If you try to grasp it with thought, it slips away. Is it wonderful or not? Like a mute who tastes bitter herbs— They have a mouth but can't explain.
毗盧遮那佛。願力週沙界。一切國土中。恒轉無上輪。所以塵說剎說熾然說無間歇。山河大地一齊說。如此。更教山僧說個什麼即得。良久云。一般奇特處。料得少人知。
Vairocana Buddha's vows fill realms as vast as grains of sand. In every land, without rest, He turns the supreme wheel. Thus, every speck of dust, every realm, speaks fervently, without interruption. Even mountains, rivers, and the great earth join in the teaching. If this is so, what more could this mountain monk possibly say? After a long pause: This extraordinary truth—few can truly grasp it.
盡大地撮來如粟米大。打鼓普請看。漆桶都不會。雪峰老人眼界忒無人。爭似我這裏盡𪙁齖地。見山是山。見水是水。乃至鶯啼鵲噪。色色了然。要個不會的也難得。
The entire great earth, gathered up, is no bigger than a grain of millet. We beat the drum and invite everyone to come see. But the lacquer bucket—*nothing* gets through.
Old Master Xuefeng's vision is too exclusive, too dismissive of others. Compare that to our way: here, everything is right in front of us, mouth wide open. Mountains are just mountains. Rivers are just rivers. And when orioles sing, magpies chatter—each color, each sound is perfectly clear. Trying to find even one thing that isn't clearly understood—that's the hard part.
若論此事。三乘膽喪。十地魂驚。直饒等覺菩薩見性如同羅月。召大眾云。且道衲僧有甚過人處。敢爾大言。不見道如將梵位。直授凡庸。非常之旨。人焉廋哉。
Concerning this matter, the Three Vehicles lose their courage, the Ten Grounds tremble in spirit. Even a Buddha of Equal Enlightenment sees true nature as faint as the moon on a net.
The master called to the assembly and said: "Tell me—what special quality does a monk have, that he dares to speak so boldly? Have you not heard: it is like directly granting a buddha's throne to an ordinary person. Such an extraordinary intention— how could anyone conceal it?"
未達境惟心。起種種分別。達境惟心已。分別即不生。召大眾云。即如現前山明水綠鵲噪鴉鳴。是分別。不是分別。試斷看。
Before realizing that all realms are only mind, one creates all kinds of distinctions. Once it is understood that realms are only mind, distinctions no longer arise.
The Master said to the assembly: "For example, right now, the mountains are clear, the waters green, magpies chatter, crows cry. Is this discrimination or not discrimination? Try to decide."
燈籠昨夜笑咍咍。云何露柱也懷胎。天明生個白頭子。至今遊蕩不歸來。好歸來。黃花與翠竹。早晚為誰烖。古人道處雖則尖新。未似我遮裏明明舉似大眾。且道作麼生是明明舉似。長長一個矮子。光下頷一個鬍嘴。
Last night, the paper lantern was laughing happily. Why has the stone pillar also fallen pregnant? At dawn, a white-haired child was born— And still, he wanders, never returning home. Come home, do come home— Golden chrysanthemums and emerald bamboo: For whom do they bloom, day and night?
The ancients spoke with sharp, clever words, But not like me, who now puts it plainly before you all. So tell me: what is this "putting it plainly"? It is: A tall, tall dwarf, And under the light, a bearded, gaping mouth.
天得一以清。地得一以寧。君王得一天下平。只是衲僧分上用不著。何也。不見道萬法歸一一歸何處。
When Heaven attains the One, it becomes clear. When Earth attains the One, it becomes peaceful. When a ruler attains the One, the world is in order.
But for a monk, this principle is of no use. Why? Don’t you know the saying: "The ten thousand things return to the One—but where does the One return?"
三十頸項紋生。定同顏子。五十子宮肉滿。難學商瞿。盡謂澄長老是個人天法師。原來是個設帳先生。只如五行具足。四大完全。則從汝說富說貴說貧說賤。倘有無面目漢。且道是凡是聖。
Thirty creases appear on the neck—surely you’ll be as short-lived as Yanzi. At fifty, the womb is still full of flesh—hard to compare to Shang Qu. Everyone says Elder Cheng is a teacher of the human and heavenly realms, but it turns out he’s just a tutor with a private school. Now, if you have all five elements complete and the four great elements whole, then you can speak of wealth, poverty, honor, or lowliness. But what about someone without a recognizable face? Tell me—is such a person an ordinary being or a sage?
第一句薦得。與佛祖為師。第二句薦得。與人天為師。第三句薦得。自救不了。山僧舉揚的是第三句。拂子是第二句。作麼生是第一句。有人緇素得出。管取一念無生。前後際斷。自然超彼魔境。其或未然。且來聽楞嚴經。
If you awaken to the first statement, you become a teacher to Buddhas and patriarchs. Awaken to the second statement, and you become a teacher to humans and celestial beings. Awaken to the third statement, and you cannot even save yourself.
What this mountain monk is proclaiming is the third statement. The fly whisk is the second statement. What, then, is the first statement?
If someone can clearly distinguish these, I guarantee that in a single thought, they will realize birthlessness. The past and future will be cut off, and naturally, they will transcend all demonic realms.
But if this is not yet the case, come listen to the Shurangama Sutra.
恁麼也不得。拈過一邊。不恁麼也不得。放過一著。恁麼不恁麼總不得。且道作麼生。如有人定斷得出。管取五十種陰魔。一念頓超。如未能得。且看作麼生分解。
You can’t do it this way—put it aside. You can’t not do it this way—let it go for now. And you can’t do it this way or not do it this way. So tell me: what should you do?
If someone can clearly determine this, they are sure to instantly surpass the fifty kinds of delusive mental states.
But if you can’t yet, let’s just see how this is unraveled.
諸佛不曾說法。汾陽略宣一字。不是紙墨文章。亦非維摩默地。汾陽太煞孤硬。只如山僧今日上堂對眾舉揚。還是維摩默地耶。且道還是紙墨文章耶。咄。都盧是個辯魔篇。
All Buddhas have never preached a single word. Fenyang merely proclaimed one letter. It is not ink on paper, nor Vimalakīrti's silence. Fenyang was utterly alone and harsh. Just as this humble monk today ascends the hall and proclaims to the assembly—is this Vimalakīrti's silence? Or is it ink on paper? Hah! It is entirely an essay on defeating demons.
一念不生。挺露堂堂。直下頓了。非是不及。明歷歷。常的的。祇在當人日用中。要且日用收不得。大丈夫應須目下自成褫。莫待當來問彌勒。大眾。會麼。如或未會。但看石頭問六祖。教你只好尋思去。
When not a single thought arises, vivid presence stands forth in full clarity. Directly and suddenly see it completely— it's not that you fall short. Radiantly clear, constantly real, it's only in your everyday activities— and yet, daily activities cannot contain it. A true person should see through it right now. Don't wait until the future to ask Maitreya. Assembly, do you understand? If not yet, just look at how Shitou asked the Sixth Patriarch— he only told you to go ponder it yourself.
舉一明三。目機銖兩。是衲僧本分。尋玄摘妙。依疏解經。乃座主家風。雖則頓漸成差。要且同歸一致。爾來宗教相攻。彼此矛盾者。是不達本也。所以山僧二邊一齊拈出。是耶非耶。任他諸方卜度。
Hold up one and you'll see three. Even a glance can weigh a hair's breadth— That's the fundamental work of a genuine practitioner.
Chasing after hidden mysteries, picking out subtle points, Reliant on commentaries to explain the sutras— That's the scholar-monk's style.
Although the sudden and gradual paths differ, In the end they converge on the same point.
Lately, people in both Chan and doctrinal schools attack each other, Seeing contradiction where there is none— This comes from not understanding the root.
So I, this mountain monk, toss out both sides at once. Right or wrong? Let others judge as they will.