江州廬山圓通崇勝禪院語錄
Recorded Sayings from Yuantong Chongsheng Chan Monastery on Mount Lu in Jiangzhou
侍者宗榮編
Compiled by Attendant Zong Rong
師於建炎元年十月十八日。就東林禪寺開堂。知府寺丞。度疏與師。師接得呈示大眾云。須知即一微塵。普容無外。方信大千經卷。出自其中。分明字義炳然。切忌見聞迷却。諸人若端的恁麼去。不在叨叨。其或未然。更煩重舉宣疏罷。師陞座拈香云。此一瓣香。恭為祝延。
On the eighteenth day of the tenth month in the first year of the Jianyan era, the Master held an inaugural ceremony at the Donglin Chan Monastery. The prefectural governor and the temple officials presented him with a formal invitation. The Master received it and showed it to the assembly, saying: "You must realize that even a single speck of dust can contain the boundless universe. Only then will you believe that the vast scriptures of the great cosmos arise from within it. The meaning of the words is clear and bright—do not be confused by what you see and hear. If each of you truly understands this, there is no need for further explanation. If not, I will have to repeat the invitation in detail." After the reading of the invitation was completed, the Master ascended the seat, took incense, and said: "This stick of incense is offered with reverence for blessings and longevity."
今上皇帝陛下萬歲萬歲萬萬歲。伏願。聖心合道。得陰陽造化之元。睿算無彊。等蓋載成平之久。次拈香云。此一瓣香。奉為執政大臣兩制侍從知府寺丞通判大夫。洎闔府文武寀僚。莊嚴祿算。伏願。智照象先。體同道久。奉。
May His Majesty the Emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years. Humbly we pray that the Imperial Heart may unite with the Way, attaining the origin of creation by yin and yang; that the Imperial Wisdom may be boundless, enduring as long as heaven and earth in sustaining peace.
Next, taking up incense, it is said: This single stick of incense is offered for the high ministers of state, the officials of the two courts, the attendants, the prefects, the temple ministers, the vice-prefects, and the grand masters, together with all the civil and military officials of the entire court, to adorn their blessings and years. Humbly we pray that their wisdom may illuminate the formless, and their essence may embody the Way eternally. We reverently offer this.
一人而盡節。育萬物以如春。致 宗廟之內安。為法門之外護。又拈香云。此一瓣香。供養隨州大洪山第四代淳和尚。用酬法乳之恩。遂就坐。東林長老白推云。法筵龍象眾。當觀第一義。師云。祇如第一義諦。又作麼生觀。密密綿綿。佛祖在其間。不容著眼。明明了了。師資於當處。相與傳心。不可思議。難為話會。眾中莫有向興化門頭敲唱底麼。僧問。昔日波羅奈國。轉大法輪。甘露灑而群生普潤。今日大守請師。未審。有何祥瑞。師云。朔風吹雨成雪。天意傕梅作花。進云。一雨周沙界。群生永夜甦。師云。在爾分上。還有津潤也無。進云。雨中看皓月。火裏汲清泉。師云。又向甚處去也。進云。圓通佛祖上頭機。玉馬垂絛日下嘶。師云。後五日與爾相見。僧問。南泉有書。與茱萸云。理隨事變。寬廓非外。事得理容。寂寥非內。未審。意旨如何。師云。水向竹邊流出綠。風從花裏過來香。進云。作家鑪鞴本分鉗鎚。師云。讚歎也讚歎不及。師乃云。從上諸祖。以心印心。殊無外得底一毫許法。直須照徹根源窮極淵底。得坐也。水連天岸。㳷合秋容。旁分也。月度星河。增明夜魄。直是混不得。類難齊。絕功勳無辨處。居壽域於萬化之後。靈然無根。體生緣於一念之前。妙存有地。到這裏。可謂從佛口生。從法化生。得佛法分。便乃法隨法行。法幢隨處建立。即一如於萬變之上。住三昧於諸塵之中。所以道。若般若波羅蜜多清淨。若一切智智清淨。無二無二分無別無斷故。諸禪德。還體悉得麼。良久云。機絲不掛梭頭事。文彩縱橫意自殊(謝詞不錄)復舉。睦州和尚開堂。陞坐便問。院主在麼。僧正云在。又問。首座在麼。僧正云在。又問。維那在麼。僧正云在。州云。三段不同。收歸上科。餘義文長。付在來日。便下座。師云。睦州和尚。十字打開。兩手分付。若也踏步向前。便被當面諱却。睦州開堂圓通。為爾諸人點撿了也。圓通開堂。諸人且道。畢竟作麼生。相逢會有智音知。何必清風動天地。東林長老白椎云。諦觀法王王王王法如是。師便下座。
One person fulfills their duty completely, Nurturing all beings as if it were spring. Bringing peace within the ancestral temple, And guarding the Dharma gate from without.
He then lifts incense and says: "This single petal of incense is offered To the Fourth Generation Master Chun of Suizhou's Great Hong Mountain, In gratitude for the nourishment of the Dharma milk."
He then takes his seat.
The Elder of Donglin strikes the gavel and says: "All dragons and elephants of the Dharma assembly, Contemplate the First Meaning."
The Master says: "Just what is this First Meaning? How should one contemplate it? Subtle and continuous, Buddhas and patriarchs are within it, Yet no eye can fix upon it. Clear and luminous, Master and disciple meet in that very place, Transmitting mind to mind. It is inconceivable, Difficult to express in words. Is there anyone in the assembly Who can strike up a tune at Xinghua's gate?"
A monk asks: "In ancient times, in the land of Varanasi, The great Dharma wheel was turned. The sweet dew fell, and all beings were universally moistened. Today, the Prefect invites the Master. We ask, what auspicious signs are there?"
The Master says: "The north wind blows rain into snow; Heaven's will urges the plum to blossom."
The monk says: "One rain pervades the sands of the world; All beings awaken from the long night."
The Master says: "On your part, is there any moistening or not?"
The monk says: "Seeing the bright moon in the rain; Drawing clear water from within the fire."
The Master says: "And where have you gone now?"
The monk says: "The supreme device of the perfectly penetrating Buddhas and Patriarchs; The jade horse neighs at sunset, its tassels hanging down."
The Master says: "In five days, I will meet with you."
A monk asks: "Nanquan sent a letter to Zhuyu, saying: 'Principle follows phenomena and changes; Vastness is not external. Phenomena accord with principle and are contained; Profound stillness is not internal.' We ask, what is the meaning?"
The Master says: "Water flows green from beside the bamboo; Wind carries fragrance as it passes through the flowers."
The monk says: "A true adept's forge and bellows, The proper tongs and hammer."
The Master says: "Even praise cannot reach it."
The Master then says: "All the patriarchs from of old Transmitted mind with mind. There is not the slightest bit of dharma to be obtained from outside. You must directly penetrate to the very root, Exhaust the depths of the source. When you attain it, sitting, Water joins the sky's edge, Mist merges with autumn's hues. When you differentiate, The moon crosses the river of stars, Brightening the night's spirit. Truly, it cannot be mixed, Its category is hard to equal. Devoid of merit, with no place for discrimination, It dwells in the realm of longevity beyond all transformations, Spiritually rootless. It embodies the arising of conditions before a single thought, Mysteriously existing in a place. Arriving here, It can be said: born from the Buddha's mouth, Born from transformation by the Dharma, Obtaining a share of the Buddha-Dharma. Then, Dharma follows Dharma in practice, Dharma banners are erected everywhere. It is the very sameness upon ten thousand changes, Abiding in samadhi within all dusts. Therefore it is said: 'If prajñāpāramitā is pure, If all-knowing wisdom is pure, They are not two, not divided, not separate, not cut off.' O assembly of Chan virtues, do you understand?"
After a long pause, he says: "The shuttle's head bears no thread of device; Patterns spread out freely, their meaning unique."
(Words of thanks are not recorded.)
He further brings up: When Master Muzhou held his inaugural Dharma hall address, He ascended the seat and immediately asked: "Is the temple director here?" The monastic rector said, "He is." He asked again, "Is the head monk here?" The rector said, "He is." He asked again, "Is the overseer here?" The rector said, "He is." Muzhou said: "Three sections differ, But all are gathered under the main heading. The remaining meaning is long; I'll entrust it to another day." Then he descended from the seat.
The Master says: "Master Muzhou opened it wide in all directions, Handing it over with both hands. If you step forward, You'll be turned away right to your face. Muzhou's inaugural address, Perfect Penetration, Has already checked you all out. Perfect Penetration's inaugural address— Tell me, after all, what is it? When we meet, there will be wise tones to know; Why must the clear wind stir heaven and earth?"
The Elder of Donglin strikes the gavel and says: "Contemplate the Dharma King, the king, the king, the king—the Dharma is thus." The Master then descends from the seat.
師入院上堂云。去時踏雪似來時。來去途中一色迷。妙得轉身賓是主。宗家正令付全提。諸禪德。三年前客居此間。甚荷山門延遇。今日復來應緣掃灑。全仗大眾道力芘茠。與日排遣也。諸仁者。去時不出戶。來時不入門。清癯山有骨。閑澹雲無根。歸家奉祖禰。了事還兒孫。雲水通方士。相期報佛恩。祇如大覺世尊等虛空遍法界底恩。作麼生報。還委悉麼。無鬚鎖子藏頭弄。折脚鐺兒出手扶。
The master entered the monastery hall and addressed the assembly, saying:
When I left, I trod on snow as if arriving; In the going and coming, the path is all one color, lost in mist. Marvelously turning around, the guest becomes the host; The ancestral teaching’s true command is wholly entrusted.
Virtuous meditators, three years ago I was a guest here, and I am deeply grateful for the monastery’s hospitality. Today I return in response to conditions, to sweep and tend, relying entirely on the power of your practice for shelter and support, and to pass the days in mutual encouragement.
Good friends, when leaving, you do not step out the door; when coming, you do not enter the gate. The clear, gaunt mountain has bones; the idle, pale clouds have no root. Return home and serve your ancestors; finish your affairs and hand them to your descendants. Wandering monks who understand the way meet with the vow to repay the Buddha’s kindness.
But tell me—the great awakened World-Honored One’s kindness fills empty space and pervades the entire Dharma realm. How do you repay it? Do you understand?
A lock without a key hides its head in play; a broken-legged cooking pot reaches out a hand to help.
冬節上堂云。律樞機轉。卦象爻分。陰中之陽。雖生而未兆。寂中之用。雖照而彌虛。到這裡。須是總生殺之權衡。當動靜之會要。諸人還體悉得麼。良久云。夜明簾外主。不落偏正方。
On the winter solstice, the master ascended the hall and said:
The pivot of the precepts turns, The hexagrams divide into their lines. Yang within yin— Though born, it has not yet shown its sign. Function within stillness— Though illuminating, it grows ever more empty.
To reach this point, One must grasp the scales of life and death, And stand at the meeting point of movement and stillness.
Do you all understand this?
After a long pause, he said:
Beyond the curtain of night’s brightness, The master does not fall into partiality or correctness.
上堂云。月低天曉。雪積山寒。風樹蕭蕭。野雲冉冉。廣長舌相。無爾藏縮處。淨妙法身。無爾蓋覆處。到這裡如何。得端的相應去。還會麼。蓑衣篛笠賣黃金。幾處相逢不解喚。
The master ascended the platform and said:
The moon sinks, dawn breaks. Snow gathers, the mountains are cold. Wind rustles through the trees. Wild clouds drift slowly.
The vast, long tongue of the Buddha—there is no place for you to hide or shrink from it. The pure, wondrous Dharma body—there is no place for you to cover or conceal it.
When you reach this point, how can you attain true, direct correspondence? Do you understand yet?
A straw cloak and bamboo hat, selling pure gold— In how many encounters do you meet without recognizing the call?
因雪上堂云。好諸禪德。同雲顯瑞。大地呈輝。祇箇清白家風。得似枯寒時節。十分瑩徹。誰知踏雪人迷。一色齊平。切忌守株自困。到這裡如何履踐。得超脫去。良久云。還會麼。功盡亡依者。轉身覺路玄參。
Because of the snow, the master ascended the teaching seat and said:
Good fellow meditators, The same clouds reveal auspicious signs, The great earth displays its radiance. This pure, clear family tradition— Can it compare to this withered, cold season? Perfectly transparent and pure, Yet who knows the wanderer in the snow is lost? A single color, level and even— Be careful not to trap yourself by clinging to a stump.
When you reach this point, how do you walk the path? How do you break free and go beyond?
After a long pause, he said: Do you understand yet? When effort is exhausted and all reliance falls away— Turning the body around, the path of awakening is profoundly realized.
上堂云。內若不動外必不亂。箇是叢林知有漢。而今識得不為冤。自家兵馬何須戰。心因不生境緣斷體若虛空勿崖岸。霜天皎月上中峯。一段光明洗癡暗。上堂云。衲僧須瀝髑髏乾。透出威音世外看。歲月不能遷變處。箇人肯共爾同盤參。
The master ascended the platform and said: If the inner mind does not stir, the outer world will not be in chaos. This is the mark of one who truly knows the way in the monastery. Now that you recognize it, there is no grievance. Why should your own troops go to battle?
When the mind ceases to arise, conditions of the senses are cut off. The body is like empty space, without cliffs or shores. On a frosty night, the bright moon climbs the central peak— A stretch of clear light washes away the darkness of delusion.
The master ascended the platform and said: A patch-robed monk must dry the skull to the bone, And see through to what lies beyond the first sound. In the place where time cannot bring change, Will that person agree to share a meal with you?
歲旦上堂云。千峯寒色。也知氷雪迷家。觸處歡聲。已賀春風入律。其來無像。所惠非輕。須明至化無為。始信大功不宰。所以道。聖人空洞其懷。萬物無非我造。且作麼生體悉得相應去。還會麼。可愛寒梅清照雪。未嫌陽鳥巧歌春。
On New Year's Day, the Master ascended the hall and said:
"The thousand peaks wear a cold hue, Yet we know the ice and snow have lost their way home. Everywhere, joyful voices rise, Already celebrating the spring wind's return to harmony.
Its coming leaves no trace, Yet the gift it brings is not light. We must understand the ultimate transformation that acts without acting, Then we may believe in the great work that governs without governing.
Thus it is said: The sage empties their heart, making it a void, And all things are none other than their own creation.
But how can we embody and understand this, So that we may be in accord?
Do you understand?
Lovely is the cold plum blossom, pure as snow, And unashamed is the sunbird, skillfully singing of spring."
上堂云。好諸禪悳。雪滿前岐。著脚玻𭹳地上。春生歸路。藏身翡翠屏中。功勳未動已前。境迷一色。家法相承之處。道絕諸隣。諸人還會麼。謀臣猛將今何在。萬里清風祇自知。
The master ascended the platform and said, "Good meditators, the snow blankets the path ahead, yet your feet tread on slippery ground. Spring emerges along the road home, yet you hide yourselves behind emerald screens. Before merit and effort have even stirred, the realm is lost in a single hue. Where the family tradition is passed down, the Way stands apart from all neighbors. Do you all understand? Where are the strategists and fierce generals now? The boundless clear breeze is known only to oneself."
師在東林上堂云。好諸禪德。鎖斷眾流。雪雲同色。放行一線。塵剎空身。借位明功。不礙隨方作主。回塗復妙。何妨觸處為家。頭頭和合因緣。恰恰現成公案。所以古人道。周遍十方心。不在一切處。諸人還委悉麼。良久云。幽洞不拘關鎖意。縱橫那涉兩頭人。
The master ascended the platform at Donglin and said:
Good fellow meditators, When the flow of thoughts is locked and still, Snow and clouds share the same color. When a single thread of awareness is released, Dusty realms and empty bodies merge into one. Borrowing positions to clarify the work, Yet not hindering the freedom to act as master in each situation. Returning along the path, the mystery deepens— Why not make every place your home? Every moment harmonizes with causes and conditions, Each instant presents a complete case.
Thus the ancients said: “The mind pervades the ten directions, Yet it is not found in any place.”
Do you all understand this clearly?
After a long pause, he added: “The deep cave does not confine the intent of the lock; Free and unhindered, how could it involve a person of two ends?”
上堂云。生生死死。輪迴之跡無窮。寂寂惺惺。真照之機不昧。雲倚山而是父。箇中功就於功。月在水而為家。直下住無所住。離見聞覺知有智。非分別心。離地水火風有身。非和合相。所以道。四大性自復。如子得其母。諸禪德作麼生。行履得恁麼相應去。還會麼。霜天月落夜將半。誰共澄潭照影寒。
The master ascended the platform and said:
Birth and death, life after life—the wheel of rebirth turns without end. In stillness and awareness, the light of true insight never fades.
Clouds rest on the mountain—this is the father. Within this, accomplishment is found in the very act of accomplishing. The moon dwells in the water—this is home. Right here, abiding is abiding nowhere.
Beyond seeing, hearing, feeling, and knowing—there is wisdom. It is not the mind of discrimination. Beyond earth, water, fire, and wind—there is the body. It is not a composite form.
Thus it is said: The four great elements return to their own nature, Like a child finding its mother.
O assembly of meditators, how do you practice To attain such harmony? Do you understand?
When frost fills the sky, the moon sets, and night grows deep— Who will join me in gazing at the cold reflection in the clear pool?
寶峯師叔遷化。上堂云。五九四十五。春風吹斷前山雨。行雲歸去復何心。轉背飄然無覓處。無覓處知不知。坐斷十方還是誰。東弗于代欝單越。西瞿耶尼閻浮提。
Uncle Baofeng has passed away. The master ascended the platform and said:
Five times nine is forty-five, The spring wind blows away the rain on the mountain ahead. Drifting clouds return—what heart do they have? Turning their backs, they vanish without a trace.
Without a trace, do you know or not? Who is it that sits firmly in all ten directions? East lies Purvavideha, north Uttarakuru, West Aparagodaniya, south Jambudvipa.
上堂云。影轉體前。白雲就青山之父。光分頂後。溫風成枯木之春。直得八面玲瓏。十方通暢。應機宜而了了。順變化以綿綿。所以古人道。一句子。當明不當照。一句子。當照不當明。一句子。當明當照。一句子。不當明不當照。諸禪德作麼生。體悉得圓滿去。良久云。坐却舌頭參活意。扭回鼻孔辨生緣參。
The Master ascended the hall and said:
When the shadow turns before the body, white clouds draw near the father of the blue mountains. When the light parts behind the crown, warm breezes bring spring to withered trees.
Directly attaining eight sides of clarity, ten directions unobstructed. Responding to the moment with perfect clarity, flowing seamlessly with change.
Thus the ancients said: One phrase—it should be clear, not illuminated. One phrase—it should be illuminated, not clear. One phrase—it should be both clear and illuminated. One phrase—it should be neither clear nor illuminated.
O assembly of Chan practitioners, how will you realize this fully?
After a long pause, he said: Sit the tongue down and grasp the living meaning. Turn the nostrils back and discern the source of life.
上堂云。風不鳴條。雨不破塊。也知春水如藍。羸得春山若黛。物芸芸兮。誰生誰榮。道綿綿兮。自買自賣。一真圓妙。而法法含容。萬像齊觀而心心絕待。衲僧家放大光明。得大自在。劫成也。由我相隨而成。劫壞也。由我相隨而壞。坐斷乾坤而稱尊。斡旋陰陽而作宰。諸禪德且道。修何功德。住何三昧。爾纔踏步向前。敢道非公境界。
The master ascended the hall and said:
The wind does not rustle the branches, The rain does not break the clods. One knows the spring waters are like indigo, Yet sees the spring mountains as dark brows. All things flourish—who gives them life, who makes them prosper? The Way is continuous—buying and selling itself.
The one true perfect wonder—all dharmas contain it. All phenomena are seen equally—every mind is beyond comparison.
Monks, radiate great light, Attain great freedom.
When a kalpa forms, it forms with me following along. When a kalpa decays, it decays with me following along.
Sit firmly across heaven and earth and be called honored; Turn yin and yang and act as master.
Virtuous meditators, now tell me: What merit do you cultivate? In what samadhi do you dwell?
The moment you step forward, I dare say it is not your realm.
上堂云。聲色見聞鬧浩浩。恰似兒時鬪百草。兩家拈出一般般。相對無言點頭笑。好笑好笑。人人盡道。香嚴擊竹響而明心。靈雲見桃花而悟道。還端的也無。當時到即不點。而今點即不到。
The master ascended the platform and said: The clamor of sights and sounds, the hustle and bustle of seeing and hearing— It’s just like children playing with a hundred grasses. Both sides pick out the very same thing, Face to face without a word, nodding and smiling.
How laughable, how laughable! Everyone says: Xiangyan heard the bamboo strike and his mind was awakened; Lingyun saw the peach blossoms and realized the Way. But is that really how it was?
Back then, when it arrived, there was no pointing; Now, when pointing, it does not arrive.
開啟乾龍節。上堂云。好諸禪德。錦雲迎日。玉殿傳春。祥光現尊貴之家。瑞應兆誕生之事。萬椉七寶。親曾父子相承。九重一人。還與弟兄和合。諸人還委悉麼。良久云。洪蕩溫風布炎德。熙和韶日洗寒姿。
The Qianlong Festival has begun. Ascending the hall, he said: Good Chan practitioners, brocade clouds welcome the sun, the jade hall heralds spring. Auspicious light appears in noble households; propitious signs foretell a birth. The ten thousand chariots and seven treasures—father and son have personally passed them down. The ninefold heavens and one person—still in harmony with brothers. Do you all understand? After a long pause, he said: Vast and sweeping, warm winds spread the virtue of fire; bright and harmonious, splendid sunlight washes away the cold's demeanor.
天池長老至上堂云。虛心能作。白雲起石柱源頭。有應不乖。明月印天池水面。因緣事偶。感應道交。有時孤峯頂上盤結草菴。呵佛罵祖去。有時下妙高頂來。別峯相見去。諸人還體悉得麼。不居正位要旁來。祇箇真金經百煉。
The Venerable Tianchi ascended the hall and said:
An empty mind can act, White clouds rise from the stone pillar's source. When there is response, it does not err, The bright moon reflects on the surface of Tianchi's waters.
Cause and condition meet by chance, Response and the Way intermingle. Sometimes, on the solitary peak's summit, I build a thatched hut and scold the Buddhas and ancestors. Sometimes, descending from the wondrous high peak, I go to meet on another summit.
Do you all understand this? Not dwelling in the proper position, I come from the side. This true gold is refined a hundred times.
四月八日上堂云。碧琉璃色水澄清。紫磨金光身瑩明。洗淨方知不受垢。釋迦老子此時生。若也恁麼行履。過去未來現在諸佛。是恁麼時生。恁麼時沐浴。其或未然。蹉過了也。非唯二千八十年。何翅三生六十劫。
On the eighth day of the fourth month, the master ascended the hall and said:
The water is clear as blue glass, The body shines with golden light. Only when washed clean do we know it is unstained— This is the moment Śākyamuni was born.
If you walk the path in this way, then all buddhas of the past, present, and future were born at such a time, and bathed at such a time.
But if not, you have missed it entirely— not only for two thousand and eighty years, but for three lifetimes and sixty kalpas.
乾龍節上堂云。尊貴位中尊貴身。綿綿不斷轉金輪。剎塵壽量無窮已。箇是乾坤舊主人。
On the occasion of the Qianlong Festival, the master addressed the assembly, saying:
In the most honored position resides the most honored form, Continuously turning the golden wheel without end. The lifespan of dust-motes in countless realms is without limit; This is the original master of heaven and earth.
開啟天申節上堂云。體與乾坤同壽。則無變無淪。用與日月竝輝。則無晦無缺。據尊貴位。坐斷十方。借誕生緣。恩均萬彙。諸人還知箇人作用處麼。良久云。金輪統攝四天下。萬像圓收一印中。
On the occasion of the Heavenly Birthday Festival, the master ascended the hall and said:
"The essence, sharing the same longevity as heaven and earth, is neither subject to change nor decline. The function, shining together with the sun and moon, is neither dimmed nor incomplete. Occupying the honored position, it cuts off all ten directions. Through the condition of birth, its grace extends equally to all beings. Do you all understand the workings of this one?"
After a long pause, he said: "The golden wheel governs the four realms, All phenomena are gathered within a single seal."
上堂云。五月半農忙亂。插田心是秋成飯。却道禾熟不臨場。祇麼任從風雨爛。禪和子。一身了一身兩眼對兩眼。箇中絲髮初無間。老狐涎盡復何疑。再坐盤中弓落盞。
The master ascended the hall and said:
It's the middle of the fifth month, farming is busy and chaotic. Planting the rice seedlings is the autumn harvest's meal. Yet they say, "When the grain ripens, I won't come to the threshing floor." Just letting it rot in the wind and rain.
Chan practitioners! One body settles one body; two eyes face two eyes. Within this, not even a hair's breadth of separation. When the old fox's drool is exhausted, what further doubt remains? Sit once more in the bowl; the bow falls, the cup is set down.
天申節上堂云。瑞籠雲錦。須知聖主之誕生。寶付金輪。還紹父王之至位。其尊貴也。肯墮二三。其壽量也。數踰萬億。乾坤合德。日月同光。攝十方剎土為一家。視四海眾生如赤子。便乃卷舒無礙。縱奪自由。順大道而無為。應群機而不忒。諸人還委悉麼。三代而來遵聖化。八絃此去沐淳仁。
On the occasion of the Heavenly Birthday Festival, the Master ascended the hall and said:
"Amid auspicious clouds and brocade-like mists, we recognize the birth of the Sacred Lord. The precious Dharma entrusted to the golden wheel, he inherits the supreme position of the father-king. In his dignity and nobility, he would never descend to second or third place. In his life span, it surpasses tens of thousands of eons. Heaven and earth unite in virtue; The sun and moon shine with the same light. He gathers all the worlds of the ten directions into one family, And regards all beings of the four seas as his own children. Thus, he expands and contracts without hindrance, Exercises freedom in giving and taking. He follows the Great Way and acts without striving, Responding to all beings without error.
Do you all understand this? Since the Three Dynasties, we have followed the sacred teachings; From the eight directions onward, we bathe in pure benevolence."
師於六月初三日退院。辭眾上堂云。衲僧去就水雲姿。偶墮夤緣出應時。今日又歸林壑去。得便宜了得便宜。諸禪德。且作麼生是得便宜處。良久云。此去常專自己事。者回不為別人憂。
On the third day of the sixth lunar month, the Master left the monastery. He ascended the teaching seat to bid farewell to the assembly, saying:
A monk’s comings and goings are like drifting clouds and flowing water. By chance, I entered this connection and responded to the times. Today, I return once more to the forests and valleys— Having gained the advantage, I’ve truly gained the advantage.
O fellow Chan practitioners, what is this “advantage” I speak of?
After a long pause, he said:
From now on, I shall devote myself wholly to my own affair; This time, I will not trouble myself with others’ worries.
江州圓通語錄(終)
The Recorded Sayings of Yuan Tong from Jiangzhou(End)