泗州大聖普照禪寺上堂語錄
Recorded Sayings from the Dharma Hall of Great Sage Puzhao Chan Temple in Sizhou
侍者集成編
Compilation of Attendants' Records
師在長蘆受請。拈疏示眾。云言語道斷文字性空。到這裡可謂。鯨吞海水盡。露出珊瑚枝。諸人還會麼。其或未然。更煩知音底人。為我說破。宣疏罷。師於長蘆和尚手中。接得法衣。捧起呈示。云西竺頭陀長年相待。東山行者半夜傳通。恰至大庾嶺頭。盡力提持不起。而今長蘆堂上兩手分付將來。諸人還會箇中消息麼。一氣連枝同盛事。光風無影樹頭春。遂指法座云。朕兆未興。會要借功明位。影響纔露。還須借位明功。諸人還相委悉麼。跨足已超凡聖表。通身不滯有無功。便就座僧問。數行公命猶煩彩鳳銜來。一片閑心忽被清風引動。祇如祖意高提。如何剖露。師云。風行草偃水到渠成。進云。洪音一震驚天地。四海禪人盡得聞。師云。謝子證明。進云。此猶是應時及節因緣。祇如寂然不動。智已周於十方。廓爾無私。道已行於樂國。又作麼生。師云。知音不在頻頻舉。僧問。三際泯跡。而真假頓空。悲智纔興。而法輪便轉。祇如敲唱門中。如何得不落今時去。師云。不答爾這話。進云。恁麼則玉馬雪行歸半夜。混然渾不露纖機。師云。更須知有轉身一路始得。進云。金雞啼處三更月。玉鳳棲時午夜雲。師云。直須恁麼。師乃云。名不得象不得。從來清淨不受染污。本自圓成不勞修證。銷融萬有。堂堂穩馭真乘。和合眾緣。處處顯揚茲事。諸仁者。今日山河大地草木叢林。與覺上座同時成道。一音說法。還相證明麼。良久云。相逢會有知音知。何必清風動天地。陳謝罷復舉。僧問曹山。佛未出世時如何。山云。曹山不如。僧云。出世後如何。山云。不如曹山。師云佛與曹山一出一沒。可謂拈頭作尾。拈尾作頭。子細看來。是他曹山終是不出世。覺上座今日不是顛敗家風。且要荷檐底事。敢問諸人。且道別有甚麼長處。良久云。白牛飲盡無源水。天曉椉風過玉關。久立眾慈伏惟珍重。
The Master was invited to Changlu. He raised the scripture and showed it to the assembly, saying: "The path of words is cut off; the nature of writing is empty. Having reached this point, one could say: 'The whale swallows the sea until the water is gone, revealing the coral branches.' Do you all understand? If not, I must trouble someone who understands to explain it for me."
After the scripture was read, the Master received the Dharma robe from the hands of the Elder of Changlu. Holding it up to show the assembly, he said: "The Indian ascetic waited for years; the practitioner of Dongshan transmitted it in the middle of the night. Just when they reached the summit of Dayu Ridge, they exerted all their strength but could not lift it. Now, here in Changlu's hall, it is handed over with both hands. Do you all understand the message within? One breath, connected branches—a shared flourishing event; light wind without shadow, spring at the treetop."
Then, pointing to the Dharma seat, he said: "Before signs arise, one must borrow function to illuminate the position. When reflections first appear, one must still borrow the position to illuminate function. Do you all comprehend this? Stepping beyond, one already transcends the realm of holy and ordinary; the whole body does not stagnate in the work of existence and non-existence."
He then took his seat.
A monk asked: "Several lines of public decree still require the colorful phoenix to carry them; a moment of idle mind is suddenly stirred by the clear breeze. Just as the ancestral meaning is raised high, how is it revealed?"
The Master said: "The wind blows and the grass bends; water arrives and the channel forms."
The monk pressed: "A great sound shakes heaven and earth; all Chan practitioners throughout the four seas hear it."
The Master said: "Thank you for bearing witness."
The monk pressed further: "This is still a matter of timely, seasonal conditions. What about when utterly still and unmoving, wisdom already pervades the ten directions; vast and selfless, the Way is already practiced in the Land of Bliss—how is that?"
The Master said: "One who understands does not need it pointed out repeatedly."
Another monk asked: "The three times vanish without trace, and true and false are instantly empty. Compassion and wisdom just arise, and the Dharma wheel turns. Within the gates of striking and singing, how can one avoid falling into the present moment?"
The Master said: "I will not answer this question."
The monk said: "So then, the jade horse treads snow, returning at midnight—blended and whole, not revealing the slightest mechanism."
The Master said: "You must still know there is a path of turning the body."
The monk said: "The golden rooster crows beneath the moon at the third watch; the jade phoenix perches amid clouds at midnight."
The Master said: "It must be precisely so."
The Master then said: "It cannot be named, cannot be imaged. From the beginning, pure and unstained. Originally complete, requiring no cultivation or proof. Melting away all phenomena, majestic and steady, it rides the true vehicle. Harmonizing all conditions, everywhere it reveals this matter. Virtuous ones, today the mountains, rivers, earth, plants, trees, and forests, together with this seat of awakening, simultaneously accomplish the Way. With one voice expounding the Dharma, do you bear witness for each other?"
After a long pause, he said: "When we meet, there will be those who understand—why must the clear breeze stir heaven and earth?"
After expressions of gratitude, he brought up an old case: A monk asked Caoshan, "Before the Buddha appeared in the world, what was it like?" Caoshan said, "Caoshan is not equal to it." The monk asked, "After he appeared, what was it like?" Caoshan said, "It is not equal to Caoshan."
The Master said: "The Buddha and Caoshan, one appearing, one disappearing—one could say they take the head as the tail, take the tail as the head. Looking carefully, this Caoshan ultimately did not appear in the world. Today, this seat of awakening does not merely overturn the family tradition, but wishes to shoulder the matter. May I ask you all: tell me, what other special quality is there?"
After a long pause, he said: "The white ox drinks the endless water without a source; at daybreak, riding the wind, it passes through the jade pass."
"You have stood long, assembly of compassion. Please take good care."
當日晚小參示眾云。護明降跡。破家[(林/日)*ㄆ]宅。達磨傳心。攙行奪市。我衲僧家本分事。元無一絲頭缺少。無一絲頭分外。從本已來。靈明廓徹。豈假人磨礱。豈假人處分。真是內無繫蟻之絲。外無聚蠅之糝。還端的麼。其或未然。不免指註去也。易外家風未兆時。三更黑馬上烏雞。而今撥轉機輪也。剎剎塵塵更是誰。陳謝罷復舉。僧問龍牙。蟾蜍無返照之光玉兔無伴月之意時如何。牙云。堯舜之君猶有化在。師云。好諸禪德。龍牙老子。善解逢場作戲混俗和光。覺上座今日也恁麼去也。還相委悉麼。天共白雲曉。水和明月秋。久立珍重。
That evening, during the small assembly, the master addressed the gathering:
"From the descent of the Guardian of Light to the breaking of the old house, from Bodhidharma's transmission of mind to the bustling marketplace—for us monks, our original duty lacks nothing, not a single thread, nor holds anything extra. From the very beginning, the luminous mind is vast and clear—how could it need anyone to polish it? How could it require anyone's arrangement? Truly, within there is no thread to tie an ant, without there is no grain to gather flies. Is this clear to you? If not, I must point it out further:
Before the signs of the outer path's style appear, At the third watch, a black horse becomes a crowing rooster. Now that the wheel of opportunity has turned, Who is it in every speck of dust, in every grain?"
After expressing gratitude, he brought up an old case: A monk asked Longya, "When the toad has no light to reflect, and the jade rabbit has no intention to accompany the moon—what then?" Longya said, "Even the rulers Yao and Shun had their transformations."
The master said, "Good fellow Chan practitioners, Old Longya was skilled at playing along with the scene, blending with the ordinary and harmonizing with the light. Today, I too will proceed in this manner. Do you understand?
The sky shares the dawn with white clouds, Water flows with the autumn moon. You have stood long—take care."
次日辭眾。陞座云。同聲相應。同氣相求。同風千里。不隔絲頭。脫盡情塵。消息在。蘆花江上月明秋。乍遠眾慈伏惟珍重。
The next day, he bid farewell to the assembly. Ascending the seat, he said:
"Like sounds resonate together; Like energies seek each other out. The same wind travels a thousand miles, Not a thread's breadth apart. When all worldly dust is shed, The true message remains— In the reed flowers by the river, The autumn moon shines bright."
Then he added: "Now I must part from your compassionate presence. Please, take good care."
入寺上堂云。古人道盡十方世界。是箇解脫門。把手拽不入。今日覺上座。意要普請諸人入門。還有得入者麼。若也入得。便向普光法堂上相見。可謂尊賓和合。理事圓融。且作麼生相見。還會麼。幢網寶珠無向背。自他光影一時周。
Entering the temple hall, he said: The ancients taught that the entire ten-direction world is a gate of liberation, yet you cannot be dragged through it by the hand. Today, I, the monk Jue, intend to invite everyone to enter this gate. Is there anyone who can enter? If you can enter, then we will meet in the Dharma Hall of Universal Light. This can be called the harmony of honored guests and the perfect fusion of principle and phenomena. But how shall we meet? Do you understand? The banners, nets, and precious pearls have no front or back; the light and shadow of self and others are instantly complete.
當日晚小參。示眾云。法隨法行。法幢隨處建立。昨時長蘆江上。而今普照光中。衲僧家。不可以靜躁則。不可以去來求。步步不將來。心心無處所。直得正不立玄。偏不涉事。處處無滲漏。密密常現前始得。敢問諸人。畢竟向什麼處。見覺上座。良久云。幽洞不拘關鎖意。縱橫那涉兩頭人。
That evening, during the informal gathering, he addressed the assembly, saying:
"The Dharma follows the practice of Dharma; the banner of Dharma is erected wherever one goes. Yesterday it was upon the river at Changlu, and today it is within the light of Puzhao. For a monk, one cannot be measured by stillness or agitation, nor sought through coming or going. Step by step, nothing is brought along; mind after mind, there is nowhere to dwell. Only when uprightness does not set up mystery, and partiality does not involve affairs—when everywhere there is no leakage, and in the subtle, it is always present—is it attained. I dare to ask everyone: Ultimately, where do you see Elder Jue?"
After a long pause, he said:
"The deep cave does not confine the intent of barriers; free and unhindered, how could it involve the person of two ends?"
復舉趙州問僧。曾到此間麼。僧云曾到。州云。喫茶去。又問僧。曾到此間麼。僧云不曾到。州云。喫茶去。師云。到與不到。喫茶一樣。不著機關。殊無伎倆。且非平展家風。豈是隨波逐浪。唯嫌揀擇沒分疎。識得趙州老和尚。
Again, Master Zhaozhou asked a monk, "Have you been here before?" The monk said, "I have been here." Zhaozhou said, "Go have some tea." He asked another monk, "Have you been here before?" The monk said, "I have never been here." Zhaozhou said, "Go have some tea."
The master comments: Whether you've been here or not, the tea is the same. No tricks are employed, no clever schemes are used. This is not the ordinary way of the world, nor is it just going along with the flow. Only when you stop picking and choosing, and see things clearly, will you truly recognize the old master Zhaozhou.
上堂云。好諸禪德。廓爾而靈。本光自照。寂然而應。大用現前。木馬嘶風。不運今時之步。泥牛出海。耕開空劫之春。諸人還相委悉麼。良久云。玉人招手處。復妙在迴途。
The master ascended the platform and said: Good fellow Chan practitioners, when you are expansive and clear, your own inherent light naturally illuminates. When you are still and tranquil, the great function manifests right before you. A wooden horse neighs in the wind, yet it does not take a single step in the present moment. A clay ox emerges from the sea, plowing open the spring of the empty kalpa. Do you all understand this thoroughly? After a long pause, he said: Where the jade maiden beckons, the wonder lies in the return journey.
上堂僧問。如何是溈仰宗。師云。一棬攣跳不出。進云。如何是臨濟宗。師云。一棒一條痕。進云。如何是雲門宗。師云。目前薦取。進云。如何是法眼宗。師云。山河大地。大地山河。進云。如何是曹洞宗。師云。黑狗爛銀蹄。白象昆命騎。進云。未審。和尚宗風。又作麼生。師云。別時來向爾道。師乃云。山雲冉冉。江水茫茫。正不居位。偏不涉傍。顯而不露。隱而彌彰。猿啼古木音聲急。鶴宿枯松夢寐長。
A monk came forward and asked, "What is the Weiyang school?"
The master said, "A single loop, you can't jump out of it."
The monk pressed, "What is the Linji school?"
The master said, "One strike, one clear mark."
The monk pressed, "What is the Yunmen school?"
The master said, "Recognize it right before your eyes."
The monk pressed, "What is the Fayan school?"
The master said, "Mountains, rivers, and the great earth; the great earth, mountains, and rivers."
The monk pressed, "What is the Caodong school?"
The master said, "A black dog with tarnished silver hooves; a white elephant ridden by Kunming."
The monk pressed, "I do not understand. What, then, is the master's own school and style?"
The master said, "I'll tell you another time."
The master then said: "Mountain clouds drift softly; river waters stretch vast and deep. The true does not dwell in position; the partial does not touch the sides. Manifest yet not exposed, hidden yet even more revealed. A monkey cries from an ancient tree, its sound urgent; a crane rests on a withered pine, its dreams long."
上堂舉僧問洛浦。供養百千諸佛。不如供養一無心道人。未審。百千諸佛有何過。無心道人有何德。浦云。一片白雲橫谷口。幾多歸鳥盡迷巢。師云。好兄弟環中辨白。量外觀光不觸塵機。妙分真照。還會麼。雪月蘆花江上寒。曉風颯颯沙鷗語。
The master ascended the hall and cited a case: A monk asked Luopu, "It is said, 'Making offerings to hundreds of thousands of Buddhas is not as good as making offerings to a single mindless adept.' I wonder, what fault do the hundreds of thousands of Buddhas have? What virtue does the mindless adept possess?" Luopu replied, "A single stretch of white clouds lies across the valley's mouth; how many returning birds lose their way home."
The master said, "Good brothers, discerning clarity within the circle, observing radiance beyond measure—untouched by worldly mechanisms, wondrously distinguishing true illumination. Do you understand? Snow and moonlight, reed flowers chill on the river; dawn winds rustle, sand gulls call."
上堂云。朔風作寒色。愛口流恩光。處處相逢遇。明明不覆藏。山河無隔越。草木盡敷揚。剎說眾生說。毘盧舌廣長。諸禪德。盡十方世界。山河大地。草木叢林。祇是毘盧遮那一箇舌頭。諸人還聞麼。若向這裡聞得。猶是建化門頭事。且道不落化門。一句作麼生道。良久云。轉身就父無標的。拈却花冠不得名。
The master ascended the hall and said: The north wind brings a chill, Yet loving words flow with grace. Everywhere we meet and encounter, Clearly, nothing is concealed. Mountains and rivers hold no barriers, Grasses and trees all unfold and flourish. The realms speak, living beings speak— Vairocana’s tongue is vast and long.
O fellow practitioners of Chan, Throughout the ten directions, The mountains, rivers, earth, The grasses, trees, and forests— All are but Vairocana’s single tongue. Do you hear it?
If you hear it here, That is still within the gate of teaching and transformation. Now tell me, what is the phrase that does not fall into the gate of transformation?
After a long pause, he said: Turning to face the father, there is no mark to aim for. Lifting off the flower crown, yet no name can be given.
上堂云。十五日已前。有口說不得。十五日已後。無心却自然。正當十五日。一句作麼生道。良久云。雲籠無縫襖。花笑不萠枝。
The Master ascended the hall and said:
"Before the fifteenth day, though you have a mouth, you cannot speak. After the fifteenth day, without intention, it comes naturally. Now, right on the fifteenth day—how would you express it?"
After a long pause, he said:
"The cloud wraps the seamless robe; The flower smiles on the unblossomed branch."
上堂云。一亘清虛夜正央。桂宮老兔冷噴霜。混融明暗無分處。誰辨箇中偏正方。所以道。正位雖正却偏。偏位雖偏却圓。正恁麼時。作麼生辨。良久云。歷歷機前雙照眼。堂堂象外萬年身。
The Master ascended the hall and said: The vast emptiness is clear, the night at its deepest. The old hare in the moon palace breathes out cold frost. Where brightness and darkness merge without distinction, Who can tell which side is straight and which is slanted?
Thus it is said: The true position, though true, is yet partial; The partial position, though partial, is yet complete.
At just such a moment, how do you discern?
After a long pause, he said: Clearly, before the mind’s eye—two lights shine. Majestically, beyond all form—the body of ten thousand years.
冬至上堂云。陰極而陽潛。布生成之道。虛凝而照。旁分建化之緣。直得俯仰順化。應接無虧去也。諸人還會麼。鏡淨誰嫌差別像。谷虛自應合同音。
On the winter solstice, the Master ascended the dais and said:
"When yin reaches its peak, yang lies hidden—this is the way of creation and growth. When stillness is pure and awareness clear, the conditions for transformation naturally arise. Thus, one may move in harmony with change, responding to all things without flaw. Do you understand, everyone?
A clean mirror does not reject any reflection; an empty valley echoes all sounds as one."
上堂云。明明百草頭。明明祖師意。於他未甞一。於我未甞異。若祇這便是。當頭觸諱。若祇這不是。甚處藏避。所以道。無是無非。不即不離。三世如來同宣此義。敢問諸人。且道。畢竟是什麼義。良久云。向下文長。付在來日。
The master ascended the hall and said: "The green grass is clearly there; the ancestral master's meaning is clearly present. For others, it has never been one; for me, it has never been different. If you say this is it, you run headlong into a taboo. If you say this is not it, where can you hide? Therefore it is said: neither right nor wrong, neither attached nor apart. All Buddhas of past, present, and future proclaim this meaning. I ask you all: tell me, what is this meaning after all?" After a long pause, he said: "The words below are long; we will continue another day."
長蘆書至。上堂云。靈機未轉。難窺青白之痕。寶印當權。密布正偏之位。壺中消息。劫外春光。還他一氣連枝。須是同身共命。明頭轉側。暗裡逢迎。直得千里同風去也。諸人還體悉得麼。明月滿空天水淨。弟兄俱在合同舡。
Changlu's letter has arrived. Ascending the platform, he said: "When the spiritual mechanism has not yet turned, it is difficult to perceive the traces of blue and white. When the precious seal holds authority, it secretly arranges the positions of the upright and the partial. The news within the pot, the spring light beyond the kalpa—these must be returned to the one breath and connected branches, requiring that we share the same body and the same life. In the light, turning and shifting; in the dark, meeting and welcoming. Only then can we travel a thousand miles with the same wind. Do you all understand? The bright moon fills the empty sky, water and heavens pure; brothers are all together in the same boat."
上堂云。居淨而彌耀。歷變而常如。本光現象外之身。妙應具物中之眼。直得頭頭不滯。物物順真。所以道。旁分帝命為傳持。萬里山河布正威。且作麼生是旁分底事。還會麼。月夜金雞傳曉意。芳衢步步錦雲深。復舉陳尚書訪資福。福見來便畫一圓相。書云。弟子恁麼來。早是不著便。更畫圓相。福便歸方丈閉却門。師云。資福畫圓相。尚書恁麼道。豈不是落他資福棬䙡了也。資福便歸方丈閉却門。豈不是落他尚書棬䙡了也。可謂。一抑一揚。一奪一縱。各出一隻手。提撕此事。且道。是什麼事。巨鼇飲盡滄溟水。留得珊瑚對月明。
The master ascended the hall and said: "Dwelling in purity, yet shining ever brighter. Passing through change, yet remaining constantly as is. The fundamental light manifests a body beyond phenomena. The wondrous response possesses an eye within all things. Thus, every single thing is unobstructed, and each object follows the true nature. Therefore it is said: 'To spread and uphold the imperial decree from the side, a thousand miles of rivers and mountains display the true majesty.' Now, what is this matter of 'spreading from the side'? Do you understand? In the moonlit night, the golden rooster announces the dawn's meaning; on the fragrant path, each step is deep with brocade clouds."
He then cited the case: "Minister Chen visited Master Zifu. Upon seeing him, Zifu drew a circle. The minister said, 'For this humble official to come like this is already inconvenient enough—why draw a circle?' Zifu then returned to his abbot's quarters and closed the door."
The master commented: "Zifu drew a circle, and the minister spoke like that. Wasn't this falling into Zifu's trap? Zifu then returned to his quarters and closed the door. Wasn't this falling into the minister's trap? Truly, one restrains and one releases, one takes and one gives. Each extended a hand to point out this matter. Now tell me, what is this matter? The giant turtle drinks dry the ocean's waters, leaving the coral to face the bright moon."
上堂舉僧問洞山。如何是佛向上人。山云。非佛。師云。洞山恁麼道。直是把斷家風。不通水泄。見聞匪及。心迹俱消。到這裡。却須通其變使人不倦。直得蒼龍蛻骨。玉鳳生雛。且作麼生。說箇通變底道理。還會麼。清風隨棹滿。明月逐舟來。
The master ascended the platform and brought up the case: A monk asked Dongshan, "What is the person beyond Buddha?" Dongshan said, "Not Buddha."
The master said, "When Dongshan spoke like this, he truly sealed off his own family style, not allowing a single drop to leak through. Seeing and hearing cannot reach it; mind and traces are both extinguished. But at this point, one must still know how to adapt skillfully, so that people do not grow weary. It must be like a blue dragon shedding its bones, or a jade phoenix giving birth to its young. So, how would you speak of this principle of skillful adaptation? Do you understand yet? The clear breeze follows the oar, filling the boat; the bright moon chases the skiff, drawing near."
上堂舉則監院在法眼會中。一日眼問。爾在此多少時。則云三年。眼云。爾是後生。尋常何不問事。則云。某甲不敢瞞和尚。曾在青峰處。得箇安樂。眼云。爾因甚語得入。則云。曾問如何是學人自己。峰云。丙丁童子來求火。眼云好語。祇恐爾不會。則云。丙丁屬火。將火求火。將自己覓自己。眼云。情知。爾不會。佛法若如此。不到今日。則躁悶便起。至中路却云。他是五百人善知識。道我不是。必有長處。却迴懺謝便問。如何是學人自己。眼云。丙丁童子來求火。則於言下大悟。師云。前來恁麼道。却不會。後來恁麼道。却悟去。且道。關捩子在什麼處。覺上座有頌。丙丁童子來求火。南海波斯鼻孔大。狤獠舌頭會者難。直下而今照得破。照得破沒功過。知爾被底穿。曾與同床臥。廉纖脫盡舊時疑。柸影蛇絃留再坐。
The master ascended the hall and raised the case of Prefect Ze, who was in Fayan’s assembly. One day, Fayan asked him, “How long have you been here?” Ze replied, “Three years.” Fayan said, “You are still young. Why don’t you usually ask about the Dharma?” Ze said, “I dare not deceive you, Master. I once attained a state of peace and ease with Qingfeng.” Fayan asked, “Through what words did you enter?” Ze said, “I once asked, ‘What is the true self of the student?’ Qingfeng said, ‘The fire-tending boy comes seeking fire.’” Fayan said, “Good words. But I’m afraid you didn’t understand them.” Ze said, “The fire-tending boy belongs to fire. To seek fire with fire is to seek oneself with oneself.” Fayan said, “I knew you didn’t understand. If the Buddha-Dharma were like that, it wouldn’t have lasted until today.” Ze became agitated and left. But halfway down the road, he thought, “He is a teacher of five hundred people. If he says I’m wrong, there must be something deeper.” So he returned, apologized, and asked, “What is the true self of the student?” Fayan said, “The fire-tending boy comes seeking fire.” At these words, Ze was greatly awakened.
The master said, “Earlier, when it was said this way, he didn’t understand. Later, when it was said the same way, he awakened. Tell me, where is the turning point?” The monk Jue offered a verse:
The fire-tending boy comes seeking fire— A Persian from the southern seas, nostrils wide. The barbarian’s tongue—hard for the one who understands. Right now, directly, it’s seen through.
Seen through, without merit or fault— I know your quilt is worn through, Having once shared the same bed. Fine doubts all shed, the old uncertainty gone, Only the cup’s shadow, the snake’s image, remain for another look.
上堂云。心不自心始是心。眼不見眼始是眼。堂堂無影跡。歷歷絕思惟。明滿環中。兔懷夜月。翠橫海上。犀暈秋山。直須及盡玄微始解承當底事。且道。承當底事作麼生。智不到處切忌道著。
The Master ascended the hall and said: The mind is not a mind, and only then is it truly mind. The eye does not see the eye, and only then is it truly eye.
Vast and luminous, leaving no trace or shadow; Clear and distinct, beyond all thought and deliberation.
Brightness fills the circle of space— the rabbit in the night moon holds it in its heart. Emerald stretches across the sea— the rhinoceros glows against autumn mountains.
Only when you exhaust the profound and subtle can you begin to bear the ultimate matter. Now tell me: What is this ultimate matter that must be borne?
Where wisdom cannot reach—do not speak of it.
上堂舉僧問洞山。和尚病。還有不病者麼。山云有。僧云。不病者還看和尚否。山云。老僧看他有分。僧云。和尚看他時如何。山云。則不見有病者。師云。得往得來。得來得往。我看他有分。他看我不然。正恁麼時如何體悉。良久云。宿霧尚深無見頂。春風常在不萠枝。
The master ascended the hall and brought up a case: A monk asked Dongshan, "Venerable, when you are ill, is there one who is not ill?" Dongshan said, "There is." The monk asked, "Does the one who is not ill still look after you, Venerable?" Dongshan said, "This old monk has a share in looking after him." The monk asked, "How is it when you look after him?" Dongshan said, "Then I do not see one who is ill."
The master said: "Going and coming, coming and going—I have a share in looking after him; he does not look after me. Right at such a moment, how do you understand?" After a long pause, he said: "The lingering mist is still deep, concealing the peak; the spring breeze is ever present, yet the branch does not sprout."
上堂云。機輪未動影像俱忘。無跡可尋。與虛空而合體。無家可坐。盡法界以成身。毘盧頂後看神光。舜若體前分活眼。正恁麼時如何履踐。良久云。手指空時天地轉。迴途石馬出紗籠。
The Master ascended the platform and said: "Before the wheel of opportunity turns, all images are forgotten. With no trace to be found, it merges with the void. With no fixed abode to dwell in, it forms a body throughout the entire dharma realm. Atop the crown of Vairocana, behold the divine light. Before the body of Shunyata, discern the living eye. At such a moment, how does one walk the path?"
After a long pause, he said: "When the finger points to emptiness, heaven and earth revolve. Turning back on the path, the stone horse emerges from its gauze cage."
上堂云。緣思不到。一片靈明。廓落無依。十方通暢。摩竭閉門無法說。少林面壁訪知音。若是本色衲僧。未舉步前薦取。
The Master ascended the platform and said: When thought cannot reach it, a clear, luminous awareness remains. Vast and boundless, with nothing to rely on, it is open and unobstructed in all directions. In Magadha, the door was closed, and no dharma could be spoken. At Shaolin, facing the wall, he sought one who truly understood. If you are a true patch-robed monk, realize this before you even take a step.
上堂云。一不是二不成。介然獨立。法爾雙行。柳線漸搖風力嫰。草針齊上燒痕青。一點靈光普天地。更嫌何處不分明。諸禪德。分明處作麼生體悉。鬧裡摸著鼻孔。忙時換却眼睛。
The master ascended the hall and said: "One is not two, and two cannot be formed. Standing alone, distinctly independent. The Dharma nature flows in pairs. Willow threads sway gently in the tender breeze; grass blades rise together from the scorched earth, turning green. A single point of spiritual light shines throughout heaven and earth—so where could clarity be lacking? Virtuous Chan practitioners, how do you understand this clarity? In the midst of commotion, find your nostrils; in the rush of busyness, change your eyes."
上堂云。黃閣簾垂。難傳家信。紫羅帳合。暗攃真珠。正恁麼時。視聽有所不到。言詮有所不及。如何通得箇消息去。良久云。夢回夜色依俙曉。笑指家風爛熳春。
The master ascended the hall and said:
"With the yellow curtain lowered, it's hard to deliver a letter home. With the purple silk bed-curtain drawn, pearls are secretly polished in the dark.
At such a moment, what is seen and heard cannot reach it; what words and explanations can grasp cannot touch it.
How then can the message be conveyed?"
After a long pause, he said:
"In the dream's return, the night scene fades as dawn draws near; With a smile, I point to the family tradition—a spring of radiant blossoms."
上元示眾云。半夜誰傳無盡燈。黃梅席上許盧能。虛明自照非心力。分付叢林了事僧。有佛世界。以光明為佛事。普照今日也恁麼去也。還會麼。燈連鳳翅當堂照。月印娥眉䫌面看。
On the Lantern Festival, the Master addressed the assembly, saying:
"At midnight, who passes on the endless lamp? On Huangmei's seat, Huineng was acknowledged. Luminous clarity shines by itself, not by mental effort; It is entrusted to the monks in the forest who understand the matter."
There is a Buddha-world where light is the Buddha's work. Today, the universal illumination is just like this—do you understand?
The lamp, linked to the phoenix wings, shines in the hall; The moon, reflected on the crescent brows, gazes upon the face.
上堂云。習習春風絲絲春雨。一等沾濡十方周普。甘草得之甜。黃連得之苦。天意發叢林。簷聲鬧窓戶。古德甞云。已不迷。等閑教壞人男女。大眾已既不迷。為甚教壞人男女。還會麼。出身猶可易。脫體道還難。參上堂舉玄沙云。撈籠不肯住。呼喚不回頭。古聖不安排。至今無處所。據普照門下祇成得箇擔版漢。到這裡。却須把得住喚得回。退位相承。借功相見。直得同聲相應。雅合宮商。同道相忘。不分堦級。還會麼。鷺鷥立雪非同色。明月蘆花不似他。
The master ascended the platform and said:
A gentle spring breeze, threads of spring rain. All equally moistened, pervading the ten directions. Licorice gets sweetness from it; coptis gets bitterness. Heaven's intent stirs the grove; eaves drip, windows clamor.
An ancient worthy once said: "If you yourself are not confused, you casually ruin people's sons and daughters." Assembly, if you yourself are already not confused, why ruin people's sons and daughters? Do you understand?
To step forth is still possible; to shed the body and speak of it is difficult. Contemplate this.
The master ascended the platform and cited Xuansha, who said: "Trapping it, it won't stay; calling it, it won't turn its head. The ancient sages did not arrange it; to this day, it has no fixed place."
From the perspective of Puzhao's gate, this only amounts to a shoulder-pole carrier. Arriving here, you must be able to grasp it firmly and call it back. Retreating from position to transmit; borrowing merit to meet. Only then can you achieve: the same tone responding, perfectly matching the musical scale; the same path forgetting each other, without distinction of rank. Do you understand?
A heron standing in snow is not the same color; the bright moon and reed flowers are not like it.
上堂云。不墮虛凝體前運步。不迷照用。鬧裡分身。可謂。獨立而不改。周行而不殆。還會麼。機絲不掛梭頭事。文彩縱橫意自殊。
The Master ascended the hall and said:
"Not falling into empty stillness, yet moving forward before the form appears. Not confused in illumination and function, yet manifesting in the midst of clamor. This can be called: Standing alone without changing, Circling everywhere without tiring. Do you understand? The shuttle's thread does not hang on the loom's affair— Patterns unfold in all directions, yet the meaning remains distinct."
上堂云。浩然遍域內。無私如陽春。箇是萬法之生緣也。靈照妙環中。離染而清淨。箇是眾生之歇地也。直須玉線貫金針之穴。金針引玉線之蹊。方能回互旁參。轉身通氣。還會麼。寶印當風妙。重重錦縫開。
The master ascended the platform and said:
Vast and boundless, filling all realms, Selfless like the spring sun— This is the origin from which all phenomena arise.
Luminous and wondrous, within the perfect circle, Free from defilement and utterly pure— This is the resting place where all beings find peace.
Only when the golden needle guides the jade thread through the opening, And the jade thread follows the path of the golden needle, Can one turn and interweave, examine from all sides, And pivot freely, with breath flowing through.
Do you understand?
The precious seal reveals its wonder in the wind, Layer upon layer, the brocade seams open wide.
上堂云。法界無塵心月圓。本光還照未萠前。而今直下分明去。猶較南泉二十年為甚麼如此。金屑雖貴。落眼成翳參。
The Master ascended the platform and said: The realm of Dharma is without dust; the mind's moon is full. The original light still shines, before a single thought has sprouted. Now, if you see this clearly, directly and without hesitation— You still lag behind Nanquan by twenty years. Why is it so? Even gold dust is precious, but if it falls into the eye, it becomes a blur. Reflect on this.
上堂云。本明破暝。看毘盧頂後之光。寂照含虛。具舜若身中之眼。絲綸未降。尊貴難名。須憑通事舍人。展演邦家號令。傳出九重之語。光生萬里之春。理藉旁分事能圓應。直得塵塵見佛。剎剎聞經。便現宰官身。而為說法。要垂自家手接引於人。且道。正恁麼時。作麼生說箇旁分底道理。還會麼。不見九峰道。勅遍天下。王不流行。
The Master ascended the platform and said:
The fundamental brightness shatters the darkness; behold the light behind Vairocana's crown. Quiet illumination embraces emptiness; it possesses the eye within the formless body.
Before the imperial decree is issued, its noble dignity is beyond naming. One must rely on the interpreter-official to proclaim the nation's commands.
When the words from the ninefold palace are transmitted, light gives birth to spring across ten thousand miles. The principle is revealed through indirect expression; affairs are perfectly responded to.
Thus, in every speck of dust one sees the Buddha, in every land one hears the sutras. Manifesting as an official's body, one preaches the Dharma.
One must extend one's own hand to guide others. Now tell me: At just such a moment, how do you speak of this principle of indirect expression? Do you understand?
Have you not heard Jiufeng say: "The imperial edict reaches everywhere, yet the king does not travel."
上堂云。心不能緣。口不能議。直須退步荷擔。切忌。當頭觸諱。風月寒清古渡頭。夜舡撥轉琉璃地參。
The Master ascended the platform and said:
The mind cannot grasp it, The mouth cannot speak of it.
You must step back and shoulder the burden— Take care not to clash head-on with what cannot be named.
Wind and moonlight, cold and clear, at the ancient crossing, In the night boat, turn the tiller— The land of lapis lazuli.
Ponder this.
上堂云。來雁遷鶯盡作觀音佛事。野花芳草全彰妙德家風。了得底人。直是騎聲跨色。越見超聞。始與他合。且道。普賢行履。又作麼生。動容揚古路。不墮悄然機。
The Master ascended the platform and said:
The migrating geese and returning orioles—all perform the work of Guanyin. The wildflowers and fragrant grasses—all reveal the family style of Wonderful Virtue.
For one who truly understands, it is as if riding on sounds and striding across forms, transcending sight and surpassing hearing—only then can one join with it.
Now tell me: What about the practice of Samantabhadra? In every movement and expression, the ancient path is made manifest, never falling into silent, lifeless stillness.
上堂云。體彌虛而普應。用彌實以常如。所以古人道。青山白雲父。白雲青山兒。白雲終日倚。青山總不知。大眾既是終日倚。為什麼却不知。還會麼。野鳥自啼花自笑。不干巖下坐禪人。
The Master ascended the platform and said:
"The essence is utterly empty, yet responds universally; The function is utterly real, yet remains ever thus. That is why the ancients said: Green mountains are the father of white clouds, White clouds are the child of green mountains. White clouds lean on them all day long, Yet the green mountains never know."
"Assembly, since they lean on them all day long, why do they not know? Do you understand? Wild birds sing by themselves, flowers laugh by themselves— It has nothing to do with the one sitting in meditation beneath the cliff."
大聖菩薩忌日。上堂拈香云。此一辨香。奉為大聖等慈普照明覺國師菩薩圓寂之辰。用報恩煇。莊嚴聖化。況菩薩蓋載道同。三際亘一如之體。生靈化被。十方現應變之身。道運等慈。智能普照。聖力扶持於宗社。真心廓大於教門。誓與眾生同圓種智。遂就座示眾云。當生不生。借光現三十六應。當滅不滅。忘照攝千百億身。祇如絕去來無動靜。正恁麼時向甚麼處。見大聖菩薩。良久云。當堂不正坐。那赴兩頭機。
The Anniversary of the Great Sage Bodhisattva. Ascending the hall and offering incense, he said: "This single stick of incense is offered in honor of the Great Sage, the Compassionate and Universally Illuminating Enlightened National Teacher Bodhisattva, on the day of his parinirvana. It is to repay his grace and adorn his sacred influence.
Moreover, the Bodhisattva's way is one with all creation—past, present, and future are a single, unchanging essence. All living beings are transformed by his presence—throughout the ten directions, he manifests in responsive forms. His path is all-encompassing compassion, his wisdom shines everywhere. With sacred power he supports the ancestral temple, with genuine heart he expands the teachings. He vowed to help all beings attain perfect wisdom together."
Then, taking his seat, he addressed the assembly: "Not arising when it is time to arise—borrowing light, he manifests thirty-six responsive forms. Not ceasing when it is time to cease—forgetting illumination, he gathers a billion billion bodies. But tell me: when coming and going are cut off, when motion and stillness are no more—right at such a moment, where do you see the Great Sage Bodhisattva?"
After a long pause, he said: "Not sitting straight in the hall, How could he attend to both ends?"
大洪忌日。上堂僧問。如何是洪山的的意。師云。昔年記得。而今忘却。進云。可謂是金鷄朝抱卵。玉兔夜懷胎。師云。三級浪高魚化龍。癡人猶戽夜塘水。師乃舉。洞山問雲巖。百年後忽有人。問邈得師真。向他道什麼。雲巖良久云。祇這是。山佇思。巖云。价闍梨。承當此事也大難。他後須是子細。山便辭去。後雲巖忌日。洞山掛真僧問。雲巖道祇這是。未審。還知有也無。山云。若不知有。爭解恁麼道。若知有爭肯恁麼道。師云。老婆心腸。蓋是養兒之道。衲僧手段。還他奪父之機。知恩報恩。句中宛轉。似肯不肯。量外提撕。箇是洞山底。或有人問普照邈得師真。對他道什麼。良久云。心不負人。面無慚色。
On the anniversary of Master Dahong's passing. The master ascended the hall, and a monk asked, "What is the true meaning of Hong Mountain?" The master said, "I remembered it in years past, but now I have forgotten." The monk pressed, "Could it be said: the golden rooster embraces the egg at dawn, the jade hare conceives by night?" The master replied, "When the waves rise high, fish transform into dragons; fools still bail water from the night pond."
The master then raised a story: Dongshan once asked Yunyan, "A hundred years from now, if someone suddenly asks me to depict your true likeness, what should I say to them?" Yunyan remained silent for a long time, then said, "Just this." Dongshan pondered. Yunyan said, "Brother Jia, to take on this matter is truly difficult. You must be careful in the future." Dongshan then took his leave. Later, on the anniversary of Yunyan's passing, Dongshan hung up his portrait. A monk asked, "Yunyan said, 'Just this.' I wonder, did he know it or not?" Dongshan said, "If he didn't know it, how could he speak like that? If he knew it, why would he speak like that?"
The master said, "A mother's heart is the way of raising a child. A monk's skill lies in seizing the father's opportunity. To know kindness and repay kindness—within the words, there is subtlety. Seeming to agree, yet not agreeing—lifting it beyond measure. This is Dongshan's way. If someone were to ask Puzhao to depict the master's true likeness, what would I say to them?" After a long silence, he said, "The heart bears no guilt toward others; the face shows no shame."
上堂云。照與照緣。混融不二。心與心法。㳷合無差。所以道。如珠發光。光還自照。還會麼。百草頭上閑和尚。買盡風流不著錢。
The master ascended the platform and said:
"Light and that which is illuminated by light blend together without distinction. Mind and the objects of mind merge seamlessly without difference. Therefore it is said: Like a pearl emitting light, the light illuminates the pearl itself. Do you understand? On the tip of every blade of grass rests a leisurely monk—buying all that is elegant without spending a single coin."
上堂云。雲斂長空風日和。太平樵牧共高歌。衲僧飯飽無他事。密密機前弄玉梭。所以道。琉璃殿上。玉女拋梭。明月堂前。石人撫掌。作麼生。行履得恁麼相應去。暗裡抽橫骨。明中坐舌頭參。
The master ascended the platform and said: The clouds clear, the sky is vast, the wind gentle, the sun bright. Woodcutters and herdsmen in this peaceful time sing aloud together. A monk, with his belly full, has no other tasks— Before the subtle workings, he deftly plies the jade shuttle.
Thus it is said: In the hall of crystal, a maiden tosses her shuttle; Before the hall of bright moon, a stone man claps his hands. What does this mean? How can one’s practice accord so intimately? In the dark, draw out the crosswise bone; In the light, set the tongue to rest— Investigate this!
上堂云。水中鹽味。色裏膠青。體之有據。取之無形。用時密密。寂處惺惺。是諸佛之本覺。乃眾生之妙靈。廓大千而為量。破微塵而出經。
The Master ascended the platform and said: Salt dissolved in water, Glue blended into color— Its substance is real, Yet to grasp it is formless. When active, it moves in hidden subtlety; When still, it remains clear and aware. This is the original awakening of all buddhas, And the wondrous spirit of all living beings. It expands to fill the great cosmos, And emerges from a speck of dust to reveal the sutras.
浴佛上堂云。清淨彌滿。是法性水。真覺靈明。是法性身。同水是身。乃現灌沐邊事。通身是水。方成離垢之緣。正恁麼時如何辨白。良久云。如淨琉璃中。內現真金像。
When bathing the Buddha, the master ascended the hall and said:
Pure and all-pervading—this is the water of Dharma-nature. True awareness, luminous and clear—this is the body of Dharma-nature. When the water and the body are one, we then witness the act of bathing. When the whole body is water, the condition for leaving defilement is fulfilled.
At just such a moment, how do we distinguish?
After a long pause, he said:
As if within a pure crystal, a golden image appears.
上堂云。玉機轉側。梭頭絲路誰分。月戶挨開。域內風光自異。金雞唱曉。石女遊春。翛然鳥道不逢人。廓爾大方還獨步。還知不墮虛凝迴途復妙麼。滿頭白髮離巖谷。半夜穿雲入市𭚆。
The master ascended the platform and said: When the jade loom turns, who can distinguish the threads on the shuttle’s tip? When the moonlit door is pushed open, the view within the realm naturally shifts.
The golden rooster heralds the dawn; the stone maiden strolls through spring. On the solitary bird’s path, no one is met— in the vast, open expanse, one walks alone.
Do you understand? It does not fall into empty fixation; the return path is wondrous indeed.
With white hair flowing from the cliffside valley, at midnight, piercing through the clouds, he enters the bustling market.
舉智首座立僧。上堂云。誰將活眼窺空劫。我道宗枝染浩春。頭角崢嶸藏不得。青原門下有祥麟。
Raising the staff, the head monk Zhi addressed the assembly. Ascending the hall, he said:
Who can see through the empty eon with living eyes? I say our ancestral branch is dyed in vast spring. Sharp horns and noble bearing cannot be concealed— Beneath Qingyuan’s gate, a blessed unicorn appears.
上堂僧問。古人道。先向那邊擔荷。却來這邊揩磨。這邊揩磨即不問。作麼生是那邊擔荷底。師云。照盡體無依。通身不隔越。進云。恁麼則就舡買得魚偏美。踏雪沽來酒陪香。師云。到這裡也無這箇閑聲色。師乃云。萬仞崖前攃手。始見妙存。十字路口現身。方能圓應。轉頭異類。遊步那邊。活人路上死人行。死人口裡活人舌。還會麼。妙圓非隱照。大用不當機。
The master ascended the platform. A monk asked, "The ancients said, 'First shoulder the burden over there, then come back here to polish and refine.' Setting aside the polishing and refining here for now, what is it to shoulder the burden over there?"
The master said, "Illuminating everything, the essence has no reliance; penetrating completely, there is not the slightest separation."
The monk continued, "If so, then buying fish right from the boat is especially fine; buying wine by treading through the snow makes it doubly fragrant."
The master said, "At this point, there are no such idle sights and sounds."
The master then said, "Only by letting go at the edge of a ten-thousand-foot cliff does one begin to see the wondrous existence. Only by manifesting oneself at the crossroads can one respond perfectly. Turning one's head to a different kind, wandering steps over there. On the road of the living, the dead walk; in the mouth of the dead, the tongue of the living speaks. Do you understand? The wondrous and complete is not hidden illumination; the great function does not seize the opportunity."
上堂舉德上座在曹山。山問。菩薩在定。聞香象渡河。出甚麼經。德云。涅槃經。山云。定前聞定後聞。德云。和尚流也。山云。道即太殺道。祇道得八成。德云。和尚作麼生。山云。灘下接取。師云。德上座真箇識病。曹山善解下藥。若恁麼會去。許爾有安樂分。其或未然。不免作死馬醫去也。取涉乎功。聞得之的。香象渡河。大家體悉。
The master ascended the hall and cited the case of Elder De at Caoshan. Caoshan asked, "The bodhisattva in samadhi hears the fragrant elephant crossing the river. From which sutra does this come?" Elder De said, "The Nirvana Sutra." Caoshan asked, "Was it heard before entering samadhi or after emerging from samadhi?" Elder De said, "Venerable, you are drifting." Caoshan said, "What you say is quite sharp, but it only hits eighty percent." Elder De said, "How would you put it, Venerable?" Caoshan said, "Go to the riverbank and fetch it."
The master said: Elder De truly recognized the illness. Caoshan was skilled at prescribing the medicine. If you understand it in this way, I grant you a share of peace and joy. If not, I cannot avoid treating you like a dead horse. Grasping at effort, hearing what is real—the fragrant elephant crossing the river—let everyone fully comprehend it.
上堂云。寥寥無異轍。密密去玄功。月轉蘆花岸。水秋吞太空。還會麼。欲識誕生王子父。鶴騰霄漢出銀籠。上堂云。法法不隱藏。築著文殊鼻孔。步步無處所。照徹普賢脚跟。祇如毘盧遮那大人相。又作麼生。良久云。夜靜水寒魚不食。滿舡空載月明歸。
The master ascended the platform and said: Vast and empty, no different tracks; Profoundly subtle, the mysterious work unfolds. The moon turns over the reed-flowered shore; Autumn waters swallow the boundless sky. Do you understand? If you wish to know the father of the newborn prince— The crane soars beyond the clouds, leaving the silver cage.
The master ascended the platform and said: Every dharma is not concealed; Strike it, and you touch Manjushri’s nostrils. Every step has no fixed place; Illuminate it, and you shine through Samantabhadra’s heels. But what about the majestic form of Vairocana? After a long pause, he said: The night is still, the water cold—fish do not feed; The boat returns empty, laden only with moonlight.
上堂舉。世尊問文殊。何不入門來。文殊云。我不見一法在門外。師云。文殊大士。被釋迦老子一問。直得迷失四向。討門戶不著。却道我不見一法在門外。玄覺云。是門內語。門外語。諸人還會麼。賞不給大平之士。禍不入慎家之門。
The master ascended the platform and raised an example: The World-Honored One once asked Mañjuśrī, “Why don’t you enter through the gate?” Mañjuśrī replied, “I do not see a single dharma outside the gate.”
The master said, “When Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva was questioned by old Śākyamuni, he was utterly bewildered, unable to find the gate. Yet he said, ‘I do not see a single dharma outside the gate.’”
Xuánjué remarked, “Is this speech from inside the gate or outside the gate? Do you all understand? Rewards do not reach those who dwell in great peace; misfortune does not enter the gate of the careful household.”
上堂云。百骸俱潰散。一物鎮長靈。白雲功盡青山秀。青山路轉白雲迎。不曾死不曾生。金繩拽轉泥牛鼻。半夜驅來海上耕。
The master ascended the platform and said:
When the hundred bones crumble and scatter, one thing remains eternally bright.
White clouds complete their work, and green mountains stand in beauty; Green mountains turn their path, and white clouds come to greet.
Neither dead nor ever born, A golden rope pulls the clay ox by the nose, And drives it to plow the sea at midnight.
上堂舉。石柱遊方到洞山。山垂語云。有四種人。一人說過佛祖。一步行不得。一人行過佛祖。一句說不得。一人說得行得。一人說不得行不得。石柱出眾云。一人說過佛祖。一步行不得者。祇是無舌不許行。一人行過佛祖。一句說不得者。祇是無足不許說。一人說得行得者。祇是函蓋相稱。一人說不得行不得者。如斷命求活。此是石女兒。被枷帶鎖。洞山云。闍梨分上作麼生。柱云。該通分上。卓卓寧彰。山云。祇如海上明公秀。又作麼生。柱云。幻人相逢。撫掌呵呵。師云。一言盡十方。萬卷該不得。一步周八紘。駟馬追不及。直須無舌人解語。無足人能行始得。說不得行不得。直是無氣息。有甚麼用處。且道。幻人相逢。撫掌呵呵。又作麼生。良久云。念念攀緣一切境。心心永斷諸分別。
The master ascended the hall and cited this case: Stone Pillar traveled to Dongshan. Dongshan offered this teaching: "There are four kinds of people. One person speaks beyond the Buddhas and ancestors, yet cannot take a single step. One person walks beyond the Buddhas and ancestors, yet cannot utter a single phrase. One person can both speak and walk. One person can neither speak nor walk." Stone Pillar stepped forward from the assembly and said: "The one who speaks beyond the Buddhas and ancestors yet cannot take a single step—it is simply that having no tongue, he is not permitted to walk. The one who walks beyond the Buddhas and ancestors yet cannot utter a single phrase—it is simply that having no feet, he is not permitted to speak. The one who can both speak and walk—it is simply that the lid fits the box perfectly. The one who can neither speak nor walk—it is like cutting off life to seek survival. This is a stone woman, shackled and bound." Dongshan said: "What about from your standpoint?" Pillar said: "From the standpoint of complete penetration, it stands out clearly and distinctly." Dongshan said: "And what about the brilliant masters on the sea—how about them?" Pillar said: "When illusory people meet, they clap their hands and laugh heartily."
The master said: "One word encompasses the ten directions; ten thousand scrolls cannot contain it. One step circles the eight directions; a team of four horses cannot catch up. Only when a tongueless person can speak, and a footless person can walk, will it do. As for 'cannot speak, cannot walk'—it is truly lifeless. What use is it? Now tell me, when illusory people meet, they clap their hands and laugh heartily—what about that?" After a long pause, he said: "Thought after thought clings to all realms; mind after mind forever severs all discrimination."
上堂云。一椎下出生諸佛。生即無生。微塵中轉大法輪。轉無所轉。直得念念見物。無異相者即真。處處聞經。不落耳而方妙。雖然如是。光影門頭了事底漢即得。祇如賓主未分。影像未具時。如何履踐。良久云。風雲未犯曉。天水合同秋。
The master ascended the hall and said: "With a single strike, all Buddhas are born—yet this birth is birthless. Within a single speck of dust, the great Dharma wheel turns—yet this turning is turnless. Only when, in every thought, you see things without any difference in appearance, is it true. Only when, in every place, you hear the teachings without them falling upon the ear, is it wondrous. Even so, this may suffice for those who have settled matters at the gate of light and shadow. But what about before guest and host are distinguished, before form and shadow have taken shape—how then should one tread the path?" After a long pause, he said: "Wind and clouds have yet to touch the dawn; sky and water share the same autumn."
聖節上堂云。從來尊貴。借為誕生。一步密移。全身合體。據太平之本。持造化之元。等虛空同壽而長靈。與日月齊明而無晦。聖踵一揆。神應萬機。且道。箇人行履作麼生。玉扆垂衣自端拱。萬方化洽入無為。
On this holy festival, the Master ascended the hall and said:
"From time immemorial, the revered and noble have taken birth as a means of manifestation. With each subtle step, the whole being merges into one. Abiding in the foundation of great peace, holding the origin of creation, they are equal to empty space—enduring in age and ever luminous. They shine with the sun and moon, yet never dim. The holy trace is one principle; the divine response meets ten thousand opportunities. Now tell me, how does such a person walk their path?
The jade screen hangs, robes drape in serene composure; All directions are transformed, entering into effortless action."
上堂云。尋常一言半句。有時解粘去縛。有侍攃沙攃土。衲僧分上。俱為剩法。祇如言語道斷心行處滅。又作麼生。良久云。野雲收半夜。明月在中峯。
The master ascended the hall and said:
"An ordinary word or half a phrase—sometimes it can untie bonds and remove fetters. At other times, it just stirs up dust and mud. From a monk's perspective, both are just extra baggage.
But tell me, when words fail and thoughts cease—what then?"
After a long pause, he said:
"Wild clouds clear at midnight; the bright moon rests on the central peak."
上堂云。性覺妙明本覺明妙。與太虛等量。與物情同道。應色應聲。隨聽隨眺。入三世而非去來。混萬緣而無正倒。還會麼。雲日低時字雁橫。夜蟾落處孤猿叫。
The master ascended the platform and said:
The nature of awareness is wondrously luminous; fundamental awareness is luminously wondrous. It is equal in measure to the vast emptiness, And shares the same path as the feelings of all things.
It responds to form and sound, Follows hearing and sight. It enters the three times yet is not coming or going; It merges with all conditions yet has no upright or inverted.
Do you understand?
When clouds and sun hang low, wild geese fly in formation; Where the night moon sets, a lone monkey cries.
上堂舉。李翱相公問藥山。如何是道。山指天復指淨缾云。會麼。相公云。不會。山云。雲在青天水在缾。師云。雲在青天水在缾。幾人錯認定盤星。藥山八字轟開也。恰到而今話大行。
The master ascended the hall and recounted: Minister Li Ao once asked Yaoshan, "What is the Way?" Yaoshan pointed to the sky, then pointed to a clean water jar and asked, "Do you understand?" The minister replied, "I do not." Yaoshan said, "Clouds in the sky, water in the jar."
The master commented: "Clouds in the sky, water in the jar—how many have mistaken the guiding star? Yaoshan's eight words shattered all barriers, yet even now, this saying spreads far and wide."
開爐上堂云。寒灰發焰舊家風。恰恰當人受用中。片雪飛來爐上盡。通身無像不同功。記得。雪峯云。三世諸佛。向火焰裏轉大法輪。玄沙云。火焰為三世佛說法。三世佛立地聽。師云。向這裏身心一如。身外無餘。說底是聽底。聽底是說底。方知道。目前無闍梨。此間無老僧。其或未然。火爐頭參取。
The assembly was called to the hall for the opening of the meditation stove. He said:
Cold ashes spark into flame, an old family tradition. Just right for the person to make use of. A single snowflake flies onto the stove and vanishes completely. The whole body, formless, yet not separate in its function.
Remember, Xuefeng said: "The Buddhas of the Three Times turn the great Dharma wheel within the flames."
Xuansha said: "The flames preach the Dharma for the Buddhas of the Three Times. The Buddhas of the Three Times stand and listen."
The Master said: Here, body and mind are one. Beyond the body, there is nothing else. The one who speaks is the one who listens. The one who listens is the one who speaks. Only then do you realize: Before your eyes, there is no teacher. In this place, there is no old monk.
If you haven't yet reached this point, Go and investigate at the head of the stove.
上堂舉僧問清平。如何是大椉。平云井索。僧云。如何是小椉。平云錢貫。僧云。如何是有漏。平云單籬。僧云。如何是無漏。平云木杓。師云。貧便貧如范丹。拙便拙於盤特。要且不可移動。不可商量。無爾鬪釘處。所以道差之毫釐。過犯山嶽。且道畢竟作麼生。不見道斗滿秤槌住。
The master ascended the hall and cited a case: A monk asked Qingping, "What is the Great Vehicle?" Qingping said, "A well rope." The monk asked, "What is the Lesser Vehicle?" Qingping said, "A string of cash." The monk asked, "What is the defiled?" Qingping said, "A single fence." The monk asked, "What is the undefiled?" Qingping said, "A wooden ladle."
The master said, "Poor? As poor as Fan Dan. Clumsy? Clumsier than Pan Te. Yet, fundamentally, it cannot be moved, cannot be deliberated. There is no place for you to pick and choose. Therefore it is said: Off by a hair's breadth, the transgression is as great as a mountain. Now, tell me, after all, what is it? Have you not heard: When the dipper is full, the steelyard weight rests."
上堂云。佛病法病。佛藥法藥。本色衲僧。俱不染著。遇飯開口。要行移脚。自是現成。誰能造作。可謂言滿天下無口過。行滿天下無怨惡。還會麼。莫把是非來辨我。浮生穿鑿不相干。
The master ascended the platform and said: "The Buddha's sickness, the Dharma's sickness; the Buddha's medicine, the Dharma's medicine—a true monk is not stained by any of these. When food is offered, open your mouth; when you need to move, lift your foot. All is naturally complete—who can create it? This is what is meant by: 'Words fill the world, yet no fault is spoken; deeds fill the world, yet no resentment arises.' Do you understand? Do not bring right and wrong to judge me. The fleeting world's forced interpretations have nothing to do with me."
上堂云。萬機休罷。千聖不携。父母非我親。諸佛非我道。本色衲僧。到這裡有一條活路。直是生滅不能移。差別不能轉。背塵合覺。即物契神。諸佛眾生。本來平等。大眾既是平等。為甚諸佛為永德。眾生為未然。且道。肴訛在甚麼處。不許夜行。投明須到參。
The master ascended the platform and said:
When all worldly affairs cease and even a thousand sages cannot accompany you, When your own parents are not your kin and all the Buddhas are not your path— For a true monk who reaches this point, there is a way of life.
It is truly such that birth and death cannot move it, distinctions cannot alter it. Turning away from the dust and uniting with enlightenment, Meeting things and joining with the spirit— Buddhas and sentient beings are fundamentally equal.
Since all beings are equal, Why are Buddhas eternally virtuous, while sentient beings are not yet so? Tell me, where does the confusion lie?
No traveling at night— You must arrive by dawn. Investigate!
冬節上堂僧問。一爻未動時如何。師云。乾三連坤六段。進云。可謂是卷地朔風寒索索。滿堂雲衲冷湫湫。師云。正恁麼時。爾道一陽生也未。進云。玉兔連雲臥。金雞對日啼。師云。春力不到處。枯樹亦生花。師乃云。宗旨旁通要。力窮而轉步。造化交泰政。陰極而陽生。春緣密布於寒林。暖信暗傳於枯木。直得月生半夜。雲起空山。正恁麼時。夢中眼活。所以道。當明中有暗。勿以暗相遇。當暗中有明。勿以明相覩。明暗各相對。比如前後步。還委悉麼。枯龜背上古爻象。艮位依俙變動文。
On the winter solstice, during the assembly, a monk asked, “What about before the first line is drawn?”
The master said, “Three unbroken lines for heaven, six broken lines for earth.”
The monk pressed further, “It could be said: the north wind sweeps the earth, cold and desolate; the hall full of cloud-robed monks, chill and still.”
The master said, “At just such a moment, do you say the first yang has been born or not?”
The monk replied, “The jade rabbit lies among the clouds; the golden rooster crows toward the sun.”
The master said, “Where spring’s power does not reach, even a withered tree can blossom.”
The master then said, “The essence of the teaching is found by reaching the limit and turning the step. In the interaction of creation, when yin reaches its extreme, yang is born. The threads of spring spread secretly through the wintry woods; the warmth of renewal is quietly transmitted in the withered trees. This is precisely what makes the moon rise at midnight, clouds gather over empty mountains. At just such a moment, the eye awakens in a dream. Therefore it is said: When there is darkness within brightness, do not meet it with darkness. When there is brightness within darkness, do not perceive it with brightness. Brightness and darkness face each other, like steps forward and back. Do you understand? On the back of a dried turtle, ancient lines appear; at the position of stillness, faintly, the pattern of change stirs.”
謝都監寺上堂云。衲僧祇麼是家風。隱顯磨礱入混融。師子返擲全歸父。羚羊掛角不同功。所以道。動若行雲。止猶谷神。即用而常寂。居晦而彌明。還會麼。果滿菩提圓。花開世界起。
The Abbot Xie Dujian addressed the assembly, saying:
"A monk's way is simply this home style, Hidden and revealed, polished into seamless fusion. The lion's turning leap returns entirely to the father; The antelope hanging by its horns is not the same achievement.
Thus it is said: In motion, like drifting clouds; In stillness, like the spirit of the valley. Active yet ever serene, Dwelling in obscurity, yet shining all the brighter.
Do you understand? When the fruit of enlightenment ripens, The flower of the world blossoms forth."
上堂云。寒雲密密。野雪漫漫。路絕千差。家迷一色。若未到這田地者。是須踏步向前。若墮此功勳者。要須轉却了來相見。且作麼生是相見底事。良久云。通身無辨處。當頭不坐功。
The master ascended the platform and said: "Cold clouds thick and dense, wild snow stretching far and wide. The path is cut off in a thousand ways, the home is lost in a single color. For those who have not yet reached this state, you must step forward. For those who have fallen into this achievement, you must turn around and come meet me. So, what is the matter of meeting?"
After a long pause, he said: "The whole body has nowhere to distinguish itself; right before your eyes, no effort is made."
上堂舉舡子和尚囑夾山。他後直須藏身處沒蹤跡。沒蹤跡處莫藏身。吾在藥山三十年。祇明此事。師云。藏身須要無蹤跡。碧眼胡僧難辨白。沒蹤跡處莫藏身。門門廓達了諸塵。獨來將謂無儔侶。鬧裏忽然逢故人。柳線含金猶畏冷。梅花破雪已成春。阿儂千眼通身是。善應無方處處真。且作麼生是處處真底事。還會麼。益州附子。懷州牛膝。
The Master ascended the hall and cited Boatman Monk's instruction to Jiashan: "In the future, you must hide where there are no traces; where there are no traces, do not hide. I spent thirty years at Yaoshan, only to understand this matter."
The Master said: To hide, one must leave no trace— Even the blue-eyed foreign monk finds it hard to discern. Where there are no traces, do not hide— Every gate opens wide, all dusts are cleared. Alone, thinking there is no companion, Amidst the bustle, suddenly an old friend appears. Willow threads hold gold, yet still fear the cold; Plum blossoms break through snow, already bringing spring. With a thousand eyes all over my body, Skillful response knows no fixed way—everywhere is true.
And what is this "everywhere true" matter? Do you understand? Yizhou aconite, Huaizhou ox-knee root.
上堂云。一點環中照極微。智無功處却存知。緣思淨盡無餘事。半夜星河斗柄垂。若向這裡著得箇眼。即照破生死。所以古人道。妄息寂自生。寂生知自現。知生寂自滅。了了唯真見。且道見箇甚麼。如珠發光。光還自照。
The master ascended the hall and said: A single point within the circle illuminates the most subtle. Where wisdom has no function, yet awareness remains. When conditioned thoughts are utterly purified, nothing else remains— In the deep of night, the River of Stars hangs by the Dipper's handle.
If you can open an eye right here, You immediately illuminate and shatter life and death. Thus the ancients said: When delusion ceases, stillness arises of itself. When stillness arises, knowing appears of itself. When knowing arises, stillness vanishes of itself— Clearly, only true seeing remains.
Now tell me, what is it that is seen? Like a pearl emitting light— The light illuminates itself.
歲旦上堂云。木雞報曉。石女歌春。物物咸新。人人受歲。野老門下。却不受賀。既不受賀。祇如尊賓父子。如何得血脈不斷去。金針玉線。如何得相續去。還體悉得麼。良久云。轉盻雪消峯頂白。舉頭春入燒痕青。
On New Year's morning, the master ascended the teaching seat and said:
"The wooden rooster heralds the dawn, The stone maiden sings of spring. All things are renewed, Each person receives another year.
Yet at this old rustic's gate, We do not accept congratulations. Since we do not accept congratulations, tell me: How can the honored guest and the father and son keep the bloodline from being severed? How can the golden needle and jade thread continue without interruption? Do you understand?"
After a long pause, he said: "In the blink of an eye, snow melts and the mountain peaks turn white; Lifting my head, spring enters where the fire scars are green."
再入院上堂云。脫去還如鳥出籠。水雲將與舊來同。依俙似曲纔堪聽。又被風吹別調中。復云。來無所從。去無所至。恁麼行履。十方著爾不得。三界轉爾不得。畢竟落在甚麼處。還相委悉麼。窣堵波前古寺基。家風清澹還如故。
Once more, the master ascended the hall and said:
"To cast it off is like a bird leaving its cage; The waters and clouds return to their original state. A faint melody, just audible, Is blown away by the wind into another tune."
Then he added:
"Coming from nowhere, going to no place— If you walk like this, The ten directions cannot grasp you, The three realms cannot turn you. Where, after all, do you land? Do you understand?
Before the stupa, the ancient temple’s foundation; Its pure and simple spirit remains as it ever was."
上堂舉僧問忠國師。教中但見有情作佛。不見無情受記。且賢劫千佛。孰是無情佛耶。國師云。如皇太子未受位時。唯一身耳。受位之後。國土盡屬於王。寧有國土別受位乎。今但有情受記作佛之時。十方國土悉是遮那佛身。那得更有無情受記耶。師云。剎中之佛。處處現身。佛中之剎。塵塵皆爾。還體悉得麼。良久云。六國自清紛擾事。一人獨檀太平基。
A monk once asked National Teacher Zhong: "In the teachings, we see only sentient beings becoming Buddhas. We do not see insentient things receiving predictions of Buddhahood. Now, among the thousand Buddhas of the Auspicious Aeon, which one is an insentient Buddha?"
The National Teacher replied: "It is like a crown prince before he ascends the throne—he is just one person. After he ascends, the entire kingdom belongs to the king. Would the kingdom separately receive the throne? Now, when a sentient being receives the prediction and becomes a Buddha, all lands in the ten directions are the body of Vairocana Buddha. How could there be an insentient thing separately receiving a prediction?"
The Master said: "The Buddha within the lands manifests everywhere. The lands within the Buddha—every dust mote is just so. Do you understand this thoroughly?" After a long pause, he added: "The six kingdoms settle their own disputes; one person alone establishes the foundation of peace."
上堂舉僧問護國。如何是本生父母。國云。頭不白者是。僧云。未審。將何奉獻。國云。慇懃無米飯。堂前不問親。師云。室生虛白。眼照清光。猶未是衲僧安身立命處。且道。畢竟作麼生。良久云。三更月落夜巢寒。瓊林不宿千年鶴。
The master ascended the hall and brought up a case: A monk asked Huguo, "What is one's original birth parents?" Huguo said, "The one whose head is not white." The monk said, "I'm not sure—what should one offer to them?" Huguo said, "Serve rice without rice; in the hall, don't ask about kin." The master said, "The room gives rise to empty brightness; the eye reflects pure light—yet this is still not the place where a patch-robed monk settles his life and establishes his footing. Tell me, after all, what is it?" After a long pause, he said: "In the third watch, the moon sets, the night nest is cold; the jade forest does not host the thousand-year crane."
上堂云。虛中關捩。應處機鋒。恰恰相投。綿綿不斷。譬如聖王無為垂拱而治。賢臣出仕准政而行。心協二儀。德被萬物。便能一統天下。獨踞寰中。其如捍禦邊方。盡是臣分上事。諸人履道。還曾恁麼相應麼。良久云。妙印手持煙塞靜。當陽那肯露纖機。
The master ascended the platform and said: "In the emptiness within, there is a pivot; in the place of response, there is a sharp edge. When they meet precisely, they fit together seamlessly, continuing without interruption. It is like a sage king ruling through non-action, simply sitting with folded hands, while wise ministers carry out governance according to policy. When the mind aligns with the two principles and virtue extends to all things, one can unify the world and stand alone at the center of the cosmos. As for defending the borders, that is entirely the duty of the ministers. Practitioners of the Way, have you ever experienced such correspondence?"
After a long pause, he said: "Holding the wondrous seal, the misty pass grows still; facing the sun, how could one reveal the slightest mechanism?"
上堂云。廓爾虛通。洞然明白。靈光不暗。智照無私。干戈叢裡。太平基。是自家古來田地。搕𢶍推頭清淨土。即衲僧本分家風。還相委悉麼。陋巷不騎命色馬。回頭却著破襴衫。
The Master ascended the hall and said:
"Vast and empty, utterly clear and bright. The luminous spirit never dims; Wisdom's illumination holds no bias. Within the thicket of conflict, Lies the foundation of great peace— This is our own ancestral land.
The dust-swept, pure ground, Is the true home style of the patch-robed monk. Do you understand?
In the narrow lane, I do not ride the horse of fate. Turning my head, I don the tattered patchwork robe."
上堂云。不可以色見。不可以聲求。風定花猶落。鳥啼山更幽。四衢明自曉。六戶冷如秋。再坐不疑處。盃中弓影浮參。
The master ascended the teaching seat and said:
You cannot perceive it through form, nor seek it through sound.
When the wind settles, the flowers still fall; When the bird calls, the mountain grows more serene.
The four crossroads are bright, knowing dawn by themselves; The six senses are cold, like autumn.
Sitting again where no doubt remains— In the cup, the shadow of a bow floats.
上堂云。一雨一晴。底事分明。六塵昏擾。世界崢嶸。一心虛泊。萬法齊平。出得氣是爾鼻孔。覰得破是爾眼睛。還會麼有緣不是余朋友。無用雙眉却弟兄。
The master ascended the hall and said:
One moment rain, one moment clear— What is the matter, plainly seen? The six dusts cloud and disturb the mind, The world appears jagged and unkind. When the single heart is empty and still, All phenomena rest, equal and real.
The breath you breathe out is your own nostrils; What you see through is your own eyes. Do you understand?
Those who have affinity are not just friends; Those without use—eyebrows still are kin.
上堂舉洞山與密師伯遊山。見一白兔子走過。密云。俊哉恰似白衣拜相。山云。老老大大。作這箇語話。密云。爾又作麼生。山云。積代簪纓。暫時落薄。師云。即日責人。舊家富漢。兄弟相成。尊賓互換。突曉途中眼不開。夜明簾外機旋轉。騎牛戴帽異中來。百煉真金色不變。
The Master ascended the hall and brought up the story of Dongshan and Elder Mi traveling in the mountains. They saw a white rabbit run past. Elder Mi said, "How splendid! It is just like a commoner being appointed as prime minister." Dongshan said, "Old as you are, you still speak such words." Elder Mi said, "And what would you say?" Dongshan said, "A family of high officials for generations, temporarily fallen into poverty."
The Master said: At this very moment, demanding of others— Old wealthy families, Brothers supporting one another, Host and guest exchanging roles. Suddenly dawn breaks on the road, eyes still unopened; Beyond the luminous curtain, the mechanism turns. Riding an ox, wearing a hat—unusual visitors arrive; True gold refined a hundred times, its color unchanged.
上堂云。孤光轉夜。自然枯木也生花。垂手入𮠔。妙得荒田不揀草。可謂世界爾。眾生爾。塵塵爾。剎剎爾。念念爾。於恁麼時。更無異法。還會麼。機絲不掛梭頭事。文彩縱橫意自殊。
The master ascended the hall and said:
When a solitary light turns the night, even a withered tree naturally blossoms. When one lowers their hands into the dust, they wondrously attain that wild fields do not choose grass.
It can be said: the world is thus, sentient beings are thus, every particle is thus, every land is thus, every thought is thus. At such a moment, there is no other dharma.
Do you understand? The shuttle's head holds no thread of contrivance; Patterns unfold freely, and meaning stands apart.
上堂云。未痕青白。豈涉離微。坐斷報化佛頭。不見成住壞相。所以道全身放下。始解承當。作麼生是承當底事。良久云。十洲春盡花彫殘。珊瑚樹林日杲杲。
The master ascended the platform and said: "Before the green and white marks appear, how could one be entangled in separation and subtlety? Cutting off the heads of reward and transformation Buddhas, one does not see the phases of formation, abiding, decay, and emptiness. Therefore, it is said: Only when the whole body is laid down can one truly bear the responsibility. So, what is this matter of bearing responsibility?" After a long pause, he said: "When spring ends in the ten continents, flowers wither and fade; the coral forests shine brightly under the sun."
上堂云。心月孤圓。義天洞曉。照中之虛。虛中之照。不萠枝上鳥初惺。無影樹頭春不老。垢衣權掛類中來。出門信手拈來草。
The master ascended the platform and said:
The mind's moon stands alone and full; The sky of meaning is clear and bright. Within the radiance, there is emptiness; Within the emptiness, there is radiance.
On the branch that never sprouts, the bird first awakens; Atop the tree without shadow, spring never ages.
The dusty robe is temporarily hung—a thing among categories; Stepping out the door, one casually picks up a blade of grass.
上堂舉棱嚴會上十六開士。因僧浴時。隨例入室。忽悟水因。既不洗塵。亦不洗體。中間安然。得無所離。於是妙觸宣明。成佛子住。師云。心不見心。機前具眼。水不洗水。直下通身。所以道。性水真空。性空真水。清淨本然。周遍法界。祇如妙觸宣明處。作麼生體悉。莫聽別人澆惡水。要須冷煖自家知。
The master ascended the platform and cited the story of the sixteen bodhisattvas at the Shurangama assembly. When the monks were bathing, they followed the custom and entered the bathhouse. Suddenly, they realized the nature of water: It neither washes away dust, nor cleanses the body. In between, all is peaceful, with nothing to leave behind. Thus, through wondrous touch, clarity was revealed, and they attained the abode of a Buddha’s disciple.
The master said: The mind does not see the mind— before the moment arises, the eye is already present. Water does not wash water— directly, it permeates the whole body. Therefore it is said: The nature of water is true emptiness; the nature of emptiness is true water. Pure and fundamental, it pervades the entire Dharma realm.
But tell me, in the place where wondrous touch reveals clarity, how do you understand it? Don’t listen to others pouring muddy water— you must know warmth and cold for yourself.
舉宗首座立僧。上堂云。栴檀林裡。秀出一枝。薝蔔堂中。與分半座。直得木人招手。石女點頭。度關玉線兩岐分。細看頭尾。合縫金針雙鎖密。不露鋒鋩。正恁麼時。且道。甚人辨得。良久云。還會麼。可中會有兒孫。自解傳持家法。
開啟乾龍聖節。上堂云。豁爾轉身。全體紹父王之業。端然垂拱。應機付臣子之功。可謂道契環中。恩流域內。自然無為之化。不令而行。諸人還會麼。聖人體合乾坤道。國泰民安正是時。
The Sacred Festival of the Heavenly Dragon has commenced.
The Master ascended the hall and said: "With a sudden turn, one wholly inherits the sovereign father's legacy. Serenely enthroned, one responds to opportunities and entrusts tasks to ministers and subjects. This can be called the Way aligning with the center, grace flowing throughout the realm. The transformation of natural non-action proceeds without commands being issued. Do you all understand?"
The sage embodies the Way of Heaven and Earth; The nation is prosperous, the people at peace—this is the very moment.
上堂云。掣鼓奪旗。往往光影裡走作。停機息杼。往往死水裡浸却。衲僧家穩下脚。沒窠臼莫棲泊。月樹不啼猿。雲巢無宿鶴。玄微及盡類難齊。千手大悲難摸索。
The master ascended the hall and said:
"Seizing drums and capturing flags—often, you are chasing after shadows and illusions. Halting the loom and resting the shuttle—often, you are soaking in stagnant water.
A patch-robed monk should plant his feet firmly, without a nest to settle in, without a harbor to moor at. On the moonlit tree, no ape cries; in the cloud-wrapped nest, no crane roosts.
The profound and subtle, when exhausted, cannot be categorized; even the thousand-armed Great Compassion is hard to grasp."
四洲大聖普照禪寺語錄(終)
Recorded Sayings from the Great Sage of the Four Continents, the Zen Monastery of Universal Illumination(End)