Recorded Sayings of Zen Master Mingjue, Volume 1

Junior Monk Weigai Zhu Compilation

Recorded Teachings at Cuifeng Chan Monastery on Dongting Lake, Suzhou

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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.

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."

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.