明覺禪師語錄卷第一
Recorded Sayings of Zen Master Mingjue, Volume 1
參學小師惟蓋竺編
Junior Monk Weigai Zhu Compilation
住蘇州洞庭翠峯禪寺語
Recorded Teachings at Cuifeng Chan Monastery on Dongting Lake, Suzhou
師在萬壽。開堂日白槌了。師云。宗乘一唱三藏絕詮。祖令當行十方坐斷。其有達士不避死生。眨上眉毛出眾相見。問人天普集佇聽雷音。學人上來。乞師垂示。師云。十萬八千不是遠。進云。恁麼則大眾霑恩也。師云。後五日看。問師唱誰家曲。宗風嗣阿誰。師云。分明記取。進云。恁麼則昔日智門今朝和尚。師云。有甚麼交涉。問如何是和尚為人一句。師云。量才補職。學云。謝師方便。師云。自領出去。師乃云。一問一答。總未有事在。直饒乾坤大地草木叢林。盡為衲僧。異口同聲各置百千問難。也不消長老。彈指一下。並乃高低普應前後無差。曠祖佛之妙靈。廓天人之幽迹。如是則何假覺城東際。五眾咸居古佛廟前。此時參畢。
The Master was at Wanshou Temple. On the day of the Dharma hall opening, after the ceremonial mallet was struck, the Master said:
"When the teaching of our lineage is proclaimed, the three baskets of scriptures fall silent. When the ancestral decree is enacted, the ten directions are brought to rest. If there are those of penetrating insight who do not fear life and death, let them raise their eyebrows and step forward to meet."
A question was asked: "The assembly of humans and devas is gathered, awaiting the thunderous voice of the Dharma. This student has come forward, begging the Master to bestow instruction."
The Master said: "A hundred and eight thousand miles is not far."
The questioner pressed: "If so, then the assembly receives your grace."
The Master replied: "Look again in five days."
Another asked: "Whose tune does the Master sing? To whom does your lineage descend?"
The Master said: "Remember this clearly."
The questioner said: "If so, then it is the former Zhimen and today's venerable master."
The Master replied: "What connection is there?"
Another asked: "What is the Master's one phrase for guiding people?"
The Master said: "Assign duties according to ability."
The student said: "Thank you for your skillful means."
The Master said: "Take it and go out on your own."
The Master then said: "Question and answer—still nothing has happened. Even if the whole earth, mountains, rivers, plants, and forests all became monks, speaking with one voice, each posing a hundred thousand difficult questions, it would not require this elder to lift a finger. High and low, all would be met; before and after, without discrepancy. It reveals the wondrous spirit of the ancestral buddhas, and unveils the hidden traces of devas and humans. If it is thus, what need is there for the eastern borders of the City of Enlightenment, where the five assemblies all dwell, or before the ancient buddha's shrine? At this moment, the inquiry is complete."
師在杭州靈隱。受疏了。眾請陞座。時有僧問。寶座先登於此日。請師一句震雷音。師云。徒勞側耳。進云。恁麼則一音普遍於沙界。大眾無不盡咸聞。師云。忽有人問。爾作麼生舉。僧云。三十年後敢為流芳。師云。賺了也。師乃云。天下絕勝之覺場。靈隱導師之廣座。暫借卑僧陞陟。實愧非材。豈敢於五百員衲子前提唱佛祖抑揚古今衒耀見知恥他先作。假饒說得。天雨四華地分六震。於曹溪路上一點使用不著。何以行脚高士。有把定世界函蓋乾坤底眼。誰敢錯誤絲毫。其知有者必共相悉。
The Master was at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. After receiving the formal invitation, the assembly requested him to ascend the Dharma seat. At that time, a monk asked, "The precious seat is ascended on this day. I request the Master to utter one phrase that thunders like the heavens." The Master said, "It is in vain to strain your ears." The monk pressed further, "If so, then a single sound pervades the world of sand, and the entire assembly will surely hear it all." The Master said, "What if someone suddenly asks you, how would you present this?" The monk said, "Thirty years from now, I dare to leave a fragrant legacy." The Master said, "You've been deceived."
The Master then said, "This is the world's most sublime place of awakening, the broad seat of the guiding teacher at Lingyin. To temporarily lend this humble monk the honor of ascending it, I am truly ashamed of my inadequacy. How dare I, before five hundred patch-robed monks, expound on the Buddha and patriarchs, critique the past and present, flaunt my own understanding, or feel ashamed that others have spoken before? Even if I were to speak until flowers rain from the heavens and the earth trembles in six ways, on the path of Caoxi, it would be of no use whatsoever. Why? Because wandering practitioners of high virtue possess the eye that encompasses the world and covers the universe. Who would dare make the slightest error? Those who truly understand will surely know this together."
師在靈隱。諸院尊宿。茶筵日。眾請陞座。僧問。禪侶盡臨於座側。未審師還說也無。師云。寰中天子塞外將軍。進云。恁麼則一震雷音滿大唐也。師云。看取令行。師乃云。上士相見。一言半句如擊石出火。瞥爾便過應非。即言定旨滯句迷源。從上宗乘合作麼生議論。直得三世諸佛不能自宣。六代祖師全提不起。一大藏教詮注不及。所以棒頭取證。喝下承當。意句交馳並同流浪。其有知方作者。相共證明。
The Master was at Lingyin Monastery. On the day of the tea banquet hosted by the venerable elders of the various halls, the assembly invited him to ascend the seat.
A monk asked, "The Chan companions have all gathered before the seat. I wonder if the Master will still speak?"
The Master said, "The Son of Heaven within the realm, the general beyond the frontier."
The monk pressed, "If so, then with a single thunderous voice, the entire Great Tang will be filled."
The Master said, "Watch for the command to be carried out."
The Master then said, "When superior practitioners meet, a single word or half a phrase is like striking a stone to produce fire—gone in an instant. It should not be taken as fixed phrases that trap the meaning and obscure the source. How should the ancestral teachings from the past be discussed? Even the Buddhas of the three times cannot fully express it; the six ancestral patriarchs cannot wholly lift it up; the entire canon of scriptures cannot exhaustively explain it. Thus, realization is attained through the staff, and understanding is received in the shout. When ideas and phrases chase each other, they merely drift in confusion. Those who know the proper way, let us together bear witness."
師到蘇州日。僧俗迎在萬壽。眾請上堂。問向上一路千聖不傳。和尚從何而得。師云。將謂是衲僧。學云。恁麼則大眾霑恩。學人禮謝也。師云。龍頭蛇尾。問選佛場開。還許學人選也無。師云。切忌點額。學云。恁麼則心空及第歸也。師云。階下漢。師乃云。如天普蓋。似地普擎。有如是自在。具如是威德。誰不承恩。誰不景慕。過去諸聖。於無量劫勤苦受盡。所得祕要法門。今將普示大眾。不用纖毫心力。各請一時驗取。於此薦得。便能永出四流。高步三界。其或不知。剛是諸人諱却師初到院陞座。僧問。杖錫已居於此日。請師一句定乾坤。師云。百雜碎。進云。恁麼則海晏河清去也。師云。非公境界。問如何是佛法大意。師云。龍吟霧起虎嘯風生。問如何是祖師西來意。師云。山高海闊。進云。學人不會。師云。緊悄草鞋。師乃云。未來翠峯多人疑著。及乎親到一境蕭然。非同善財入樓閣之門。暫時歛念。莫比維摩掌中世界。別有清規。冀諸人飽足觀光。以資欣慰。
When the master arrived in Suzhou, monks and laypeople welcomed him at Wanshou Temple. The assembly requested him to ascend the teaching seat.
A question was asked: "The ultimate path is not transmitted by a thousand sages. From where did the master obtain it?"
The master said: "I thought you were a patch-robed monk."
The questioner said: "If so, then the assembly receives your grace. This student bows in gratitude."
The master said: "Dragon's head, snake's tail."
Another question: "The hall for selecting Buddhas has opened. Is this student permitted to make a selection?"
The master said: "Be careful not to fail."
The questioner said: "If so, then with an empty mind, one returns having passed the examination."
The master said: "A fellow at the foot of the steps."
The master then said: "Like the sky covering all, like the earth supporting all. With such freedom, possessing such majestic virtue, who does not receive grace? Who does not admire? The sages of the past, through countless eons of diligent practice and enduring hardships, obtained the essential Dharma gate. Now I will reveal it to the entire assembly. Without using the slightest mental effort, each of you please verify it at once. If you realize this, you will forever transcend the four currents and stride high above the three realms. If you do not know, it is simply because you people conceal it."
When the master first arrived at the temple and ascended the seat, a monk asked: "The staff has already settled here today. Please, master, one phrase to stabilize heaven and earth."
The master said: "A hundred fragments."
The monk pressed: "If so, then the seas are calm and the rivers clear."
The master said: "Not your realm."
Another question: "What is the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma?"
The master said: "When the dragon chants, fog arises; when the tiger roars, wind is born."
Another question: "What is the meaning of the Patriarch coming from the West?"
The master said: "The mountains are high, the seas are vast."
The questioner said: "This student does not understand."
The master said: "Tighten your straw sandals."
The master then said: "Before arriving at Cuifeng, many had doubts. But upon personally reaching it, the realm is serene and clear. It is not like Sudhana entering the tower gate, temporarily collecting his thoughts. Nor is it comparable to Vimalakirti's world in the palm, which has different pure rules. I hope you all fully satisfy your sightseeing, thereby gaining comfort and joy."
上堂。問答罷。師乃云。釋迦已滅彌勒未生。正當今日。佛法委在翠峯。放開揑聚總由者裏。放開也七縱八橫。是處填溝塞壑。揑聚也天下老和尚。盡在拄杖頭。不消一劄。
The master ascended the teaching seat. After the question-and-answer session, he said:
"Shakyamuni has already passed into nirvana, and Maitreya has not yet descended. Right now, in this very moment, the Dharma is entrusted to Cuifeng.
Whether it is spread wide or gathered tight, it all depends on this very place.
When spread wide, it expands freely in all directions, filling valleys and blocking gorges.
When gathered tight, all the venerable masters of the world are right here on the tip of this staff—and not a single one is missing."
上堂。僧問。如何是實學底事。師云。針劄不入。進云。乞師方便。師云。水到渠成。問如何是教外別傳一句。師云。看看臘月盡。學云。恁麼則流芳去也。師云。瘂子喫苦瓜。問言迹之興。異途之所由。生不犯鋒鋩。請師道。師云。誰家無白月清風。進云。還當也無。師云。土上加泥漢。師乃云。劍輪飛處日月沈輝。寶杖敲時乾坤失色。眾魔從茲膽裂。千聖由是眼開。其如二聽不圓。震迅雷而莫覺。孤根將敗。霈春雨以非滋。致使凡聖岐分。悟迷派列。奔馳七趣。泊沒四流重。業相纏。無有休日。爾諸禪德。覬善參詳。如人上山。各自努力。
The master ascended the hall. A monk asked, "What is the real practice?" The master said, "Even a needle cannot penetrate." The monk pressed, "Please, Master, give me a skillful means." The master said, "When the water comes, the channel forms."
Another asked, "What is the phrase transmitted outside the teachings?" The master said, "Look—the end of the twelfth month is near." The student said, "Then it will be passed down with fragrance." The master said, "A mute person eats bitter melon."
Another asked, "When words and traces arise, different paths emerge. Without touching the sharp edge, please, Master, speak." The master said, "Who doesn’t have a bright moon and a clear breeze?" The monk pressed, "Is that still appropriate?" The master said, "Piling mud on top of earth."
The master then said, "When the sword-wheel flies, the sun and moon lose their light. When the precious staff strikes, heaven and earth fade. All demons tremble in fear. A thousand sages open their eyes. Yet if the two ears are not clear, even a sudden thunderclap goes unnoticed. If the solitary root is about to wither, even a spring rain cannot nourish it. Thus, ordinary beings and sages part ways; awakening and confusion form separate streams. Racing through the seven destinies, sinking in the four currents, heavy karma entangles without end. O you meditators, strive to investigate well. Like people climbing a mountain, each must exert their own effort."
上堂。僧問。昭昭於心目之間。而相不可覩。晃晃在色塵之內。而理不可分。既於心目之間。為甚麼不覩其相。師云。華須連夜發。莫待曉風吹。進云。恁麼則雲散家家月。師云。毘婆尸佛早留心。僧方禮拜。師以拄杖打一下云。不得放過。問猿抱子歸青嶂後。鳥㘅華落碧巖前。古人意旨如何。師云。夾山猶在。學云。和尚如何。師云。依稀似曲纔堪聽。又被風吹別調中。僧却問。如何是翠峯境。師云。春至桃華亦滿溪。僧禮拜。師云。山僧今日敗闕。有人點撿得出。許他頂門上一隻眼。便下座。
The Master ascended the hall. A monk asked, "It is bright and clear within the mind and eye, yet its form cannot be seen. It is luminous and radiant within form and dust, yet its principle cannot be separated. Since it is within the mind and eye, why can its form not be seen?"
The Master said, "The flowers must bloom through the night; do not wait for the morning breeze to blow."
The monk pressed, "If so, then the clouds disperse and the moon shines in every household."
The Master said, "Vipashyin Buddha took notice long ago."
As the monk was about to bow, the Master struck him once with his staff and said, "Do not let it slip away."
Another asked, "After the ape embraces its child and returns behind the green cliffs, the bird drops the flower before the blue crags. What was the ancient's intention?"
The Master said, "Jiashan is still present."
The student asked, "What about you, Master?"
The Master said, "It vaguely resembles a tune just worth hearing, yet again the wind blows it into a different melody."
The monk then asked, "What is the realm of Cuifeng?"
The Master said, "When spring arrives, peach blossoms fill the stream."
The monk bowed.
The Master said, "This mountain monk has failed today. If anyone can point it out, I grant them an eye upon the crown of the head." Then he descended the seat.
上堂。僧問。古人借問田中事。插鍬叉手意如何。師云。人從陳州來。不得許州信。問古人道。有讀書人到來。意旨如何。師云。且在門外立。學云。請師相見。師云。任是顏回亦不通。師乃云。立賓立主剜肉作瘡。舉古舉今拋沙撒土。直下無事。正是無孔鐵槌。別有機關。合入無間地獄。明眼衲子應須自看。
The master ascended the hall. A monk asked, "The ancients inquired about matters in the field—what was the meaning of planting the spade and crossing their hands?" The master said, "Someone came from Chenzhou, but there was no news from Xuzhou."
The monk asked, "The ancients said, 'When a scholar arrives, what is the meaning?'" The master said, "First stand outside the gate." The monk said, "Please, Master, meet with him." The master said, "Even Yan Hui would not be allowed through."
The master then said, "Establishing guest and host is like cutting flesh to make a wound. Citing the past and present is like throwing sand and scattering dirt. Directly, there is nothing to do—this is precisely an iron hammer without a hole. If there is some other mechanism, you will surely fall into the Avīci Hell. Discerning monks should look into this for themselves."
上堂。僧問。古人一喝不作一喝用。是否。師云是。僧便喝。師便棒。僧無語。師云。謔我。問古人道。有佛法處不得住。無佛法處急走過。意旨如何。師云。氣急殺人。僧擬議。師云。甚麼處去也。問只在目前。為甚麼再三不覩。師云。截耳臥街。僧云恰是。師云。令我攢眉。問黑豆未生芽時如何。師云。餧驢餧馬。進云。生後如何。師云。透水透沙。僧禮拜。師云。一似不齋來。問功巧諸技藝。盡現行此事。如何是此事。師云。諸方牓樣進云。莫便是學人會處也無。師云。有頭無尾漢。師乃云。過去諸如來。斯門已成就。放過一著。現在諸菩薩。今各入圓明。兩重公案。未來修學人。總被翠峯穿却鼻孔。
The master ascended the hall. A monk asked, "The ancients said, 'One shout is not used as one shout.' Is this so?" The master said, "Yes." The monk then shouted. The master struck him with his staff. The monk was silent. The master said, "You mock me."
Another asked, "The ancients said, 'Where there is Dharma, do not dwell; where there is no Dharma, pass through quickly.' What is the meaning?" The master said, "So urgent it kills." The monk hesitated. The master said, "Where have you gone?"
Another asked, "It is right before your eyes—why do you fail to see it even after repeated attempts?" The master said, "Cut off your ears and lie in the street." The monk said, "Exactly!" The master said, "You make me frown."
Another asked, "What about when the black bean has not yet sprouted?" The master said, "Feed it to donkeys and horses." The monk pressed, "And after it sprouts?" The master said, "It pierces water and sand." The monk bowed. The master said, "As if you came without fasting."
Another asked, "All skillful arts and crafts—they all manifest this matter. What is this matter?" The master said, "The signboards of all directions." The monk said, "Is this perhaps where the student understands?" The master said, "A man with a head but no tail."
The master then said, "All Buddhas of the past have already accomplished this gate. Let one move pass. All bodhisattvas of the present now each enter perfect clarity. A double case. All future practitioners—Cuifeng has pierced their nostrils."
上堂云。智者聊聞猛提取。莫待須臾失却頭。問丹霄獨步時如何。師云。脚下踏索。進云。天下橫行去也。師云。徐六擔板問學人乍入叢林。諸事不會。未審師還拯濟也無。師云。蘇州紙貴。進云。和尚豈無方便。師云。腦後拔榍。師云。爐鞴之所固無鈍鐵。良醫之門誰是病夫。向後鼻孔遼天。莫辜負人好。
The master ascended the hall and said: "The wise, upon hearing, swiftly grasp it. Do not wait a moment and lose your head."
A monk asked: "What is it like when treading alone in the crimson sky?"
The master said: "Walking on a rope beneath your feet."
The monk pressed: "Going forth to roam freely across the world."
The master said: "Like Xu Six carrying a plank."
Another asked: "I have just entered the monastery and understand nothing of its affairs. I wonder if the master will still offer salvation?"
The master said: "Suzhou paper is expensive."
The monk pressed: "Does the master not have skillful means?"
The master said: "Pulling a wedge from the back of the head."
The master then said: "In the forge, there is naturally no blunt iron. At the door of a skilled physician, who is the sick one? In the future, when your nostrils reach the heavens, do not let others down."
上堂云。欲得不招無間業。莫謗如來正法輪。便下座。
The Master ascended the platform and said: "If you wish to avoid creating the karma of the Avīci Hell, do not slander the true Dharma wheel of the Tathāgata." Then he descended from the seat.
上堂。纔有僧出禮拜。師云。大眾。一時記取者僧話頭。便下座。
The Master ascended the teaching seat. As soon as a monk stepped forward to bow, the Master said, "Everyone, take note of this monk's point of inquiry right now." Then he descended from his seat.
上堂。大眾雲集。以拄杖拋下云。棒頭有眼明如日。要識真金火裏看。
The assembly gathered in the hall. The master threw down his staff and said: At the tip of the staff, an eye shines bright as the sun. To recognize true gold, you must see it in the fire.
上堂云。從天降下從地湧出。南北東西一棚俊鶻。顧杼停機苦屈苦屈。
The Master ascended the platform and said: "They descend from the heavens and surge up from the earth. To the north, south, east, and west—a flock of swift falcons. They gaze at the shuttle and halt the loom, bitter and constrained, bitter and constrained."
上堂云。古人道。譬如擲劍揮空。莫論及之不及。斯乃空輪絕跡。劍刃非虧。好諸禪德。若能如是。心心無知。即是踞妙峯孤頂。非但善財七日不逢。設使文殊百劫親來。也摸𢱢不著。
The master ascended the platform and said: The ancients said, "It is like swinging a sword through empty space—do not discuss whether it hits or misses. This is the wheel of emptiness leaving no trace, yet the sword's edge is not diminished." Good Chan practitioners, if you can be like this—if your mind, thought after thought, is without knowing—then you are standing atop the solitary peak of the wondrous summit. Not only would Manjushri not be met even after seven days like Sudhana, but even if Manjushri himself came in person after a hundred kalpas, he still would not be able to grasp you.
上堂。有僧出禮拜了方伸問。師云。啼得血流無用處。便下座。
The master ascended the teaching seat. A monk stepped forward, bowed, and was just about to ask a question. The master said, "Crying till you bleed is of no use." Then he descended from the seat.
上堂云。藏峯劍客便請施呈。有僧方出來。師云。什麼處去也。便下座。
The master ascended the platform and said, "Hidden Peak swordsmen, please step forward and demonstrate your skill."
A monk then came forward.
The master asked, "Where have you gone?"
And with that, he descended from his seat.
上堂云。語漸也返常合道。且任諸人點頭。論頓也不留朕跡。衲僧又奚為開口。師以拄杖一劃云。上無衝天之計。下無入地之謀。蔡州千箇萬箇。打破只在須臾。
The master ascended the platform and said: "When speaking gradually, returning to the ordinary aligns with the Way—allow all of you to nod in agreement. When discussing the sudden, not a single trace is left—what need is there for a monk to open his mouth?" The master drew a line with his staff and said: "Above, there is no plan to pierce the heavens; below, no scheme to enter the earth. In Cai Prefecture, thousands upon thousands—shattered in an instant."
上堂問答罷乃云。映眼時若千日。萬像不能逃影質。凡夫只是未曾觀。何得自輕而退屈。師拈起拄杖云。把定世界不漏絲髮。還觀得也無。所以雲門大師道。直得乾坤大地無纖毫過患分。只是轉句不見一色。猶為半提。直得如此。更須知有全提時節。諸上座。翠峯若也全提。盡大地人。並須結舌。放一線道。轉見不堪。以拄杖一時趁下。
After the assembly's questions and answers were concluded, the master said: "In the blink of an eye, it is as if a thousand suns shine— all phenomena cannot escape their shadow and substance. It is only that ordinary people have never truly seen this— why then belittle themselves and retreat in doubt?"
The master raised his staff and said: "Grasping the world without letting a single thread slip— can you see it even then? Thus Master Yunmen said: 'Even if heaven and earth, the great ground, have not the slightest fault— it is still only seeing one side, not yet the whole. Even if you reach such a stage, you must still know there is a time of complete awakening.'"
"Venerable assembly, if Cuifeng were to speak of the whole truth, all people under heaven would have to fall silent. But leaving a thread of a path, turning to look—it still falls short."
With that, he struck the ground with his staff and dismissed the assembly.
上堂。僧問。如何是翠峯境。師云。有眼底見。學云。如何是境中人。師云。貪觀白浪失却手橈。問如何是和尚家風。師云。客來須看。進云。恁麼則學人得見也。師云。三十年後。問如何是第一義。師云。道士倒騎牛。學云。乞師再垂方便。師云。無孔鐵槌。問道遠乎哉。師云。青山夾亂流。學云。恁麼則得聞於未聞去也。師云。千里萬里。師乃云。大眾前共相詶唱。也須是箇漢始得。若未有奔流度刃底眼。不勞拈出。所以道。如大火聚。近著則燎却面門。亦如按太阿寶劍。衝前則喪身失命。師乃頌云。太阿橫按祖堂寒。千里應須息萬端。莫待冷光輕閃爍。復云看看。便下座。
The master ascended the hall. A monk asked, "What is the realm of Cuifeng?" The master said, "Those with eyes can see." The monk asked, "What is the person within that realm?" The master said, "Gazing greedily at the white waves, you lose the oar in your hand."
Someone asked, "What is the master's household style?" The master said, "When a guest comes, you must look." The monk said, "If so, then this student can see it." The master said, "Thirty years from now."
Someone asked, "What is the ultimate truth?" The master said, "A Daoist riding an ox backward." The monk said, "Please, master, offer further guidance." The master said, "An iron hammer without a hole."
Someone asked, "Is the Way far away?" The master said, "Green mountains amidst turbulent streams." The monk said, "If so, then I have heard what has never been heard before." The master said, "A thousand miles, ten thousand miles."
The master then said, "To engage in dialogue before the assembly, one must be a true person. Without eyes that can pierce through rushing currents and sharp blades, it is better not to bring it up. Therefore, it is said: Like a great fire, drawing near will scorch your face. It is also like holding the precious sword Tai'a—charging forward will cost you your life."
The master then recited: "Tai'a held sideways, the ancestral hall turns cold; A thousand miles away, all distractions must cease. Do not wait for the cold light to flicker lightly." He then said, "Look, look!" and descended from the seat.