---
title: "石門文字禪 · 送脩彥通還西湖序"
description: "石門文字禪是宋代高僧釋德洪的詩文集。德洪又稱惠洪，活躍於北宋末南宋初，與蘇軾、黃庭堅等文人交遊，是禪宗臨濟宗黃龍派的重要傳人。該書內容豐富，不僅收錄了大量詩歌、偈頌和文章，更以文字闡釋禪理，融通文學與佛學，體現了文字禪的獨特風格。書中強調不離文字而悟道，對宋代及後世禪宗思想影響深遠，是研究中國佛教史、文學史及文字禪思想的珍貴典籍。"
url: "https://rushiwowen.co/en/r/cmgn0ih0q0erujl04urcm4jmf"
---

### 送脩彥通還西湖序

> Preface for Seeing Off Xiu Yantong's Return to West Lake

東吳山川清勝甲於天下，而湖山深秀，正如美丈夫之眉目。大通禪師淡然無營於林石之間，而聲光照曜於四海之外。如曉天之日，從而遊者，睿郎廓然焉。其高秀之韻，爛然相映，如長庚之星。吾友彥通，既以父事大通，而其德友廓然。又如無心之雲，往來於湖山之上，從容二老之間，舒徐容曳，油然自得其直諒多聞之寔、道德光華之言，與夫幽尋清討之趣，固已厭飫平生矣。而又周遊淮海，浮飄大江，經行於鑪峰之下。久之南窮衡嶽，遼繞數千里，弔古聖之陳跡，覽林壑之形勝。求諸宗故，老而扣之，其異家入道之智、差別之旨，無所不聞，於是浩然有歸歟之興，為余留於湘江道林者一月。既旦行，余執其手而語之曰：「昔雪峰道經祝融，人勸其一登絕頂，掉頭掣肘曰：『青山長在，知識難逢。』」且山林雖佳，於道無所益也，明矣。馬祖謂紫玉曰：「山水之秀可居，益汝道氣。」是若有益於道者。何也？及觀興化之論，乃曰：「吾雖嗣臨濟而發藥之友者大覺。」是已山林未暇論也，而師且後之，是勝侶之德，其不可不重如是其甚也。嗚呼！是三者，古之人有得於一，則固已誇談於叢林，而傳誦於後世。矧吾彥通兼取而有之，可謂盛哉！獨余奇窮侵尋老境，得一而志二，相視無所逃其羞。雖然，於其私則若不足，而能喜彥通之樂有餘也。諸公咸賦詩，而余敘此為贐，彥通其見憐乎！

> The mountains and rivers of Eastern Wu are the finest under heaven, and the deep beauty of its lakes and hills is like the eyes and brows of a handsome man. Great Master Datong, serene and free from worldly concerns among the forests and rocks, yet his radiance shines beyond the four seas—like the sun at dawn. Those who follow him, such as Ruilang and Kuoran, carry his lofty elegance, glowing in mutual reflection like the morning star. My friend Yantong, having served Datong as a father, and befriended Kuoran as a virtuous companion, moves like a cloud without intention, drifting over the lakes and mountains. At ease between these two elders, unhurried and graceful, he has truly savored to the full their upright honesty, wide learning, radiant words of virtue, and the joy of tranquil exploration. Then he journeyed far and wide across the Huai and the sea, drifting along the great river, and walked beneath the Furnace Peak. In time, he went south to explore Mount Heng, winding through thousands of miles, visiting the traces of ancient sages and admiring the grandeur of forests and valleys. He sought out the elders of the tradition and questioned them, learning all there was to know of the wisdom that enters the path through various schools and the distinctions within their teachings. At last, filled with a longing to return home, he stayed with me at the Daolin Temple by the Xiang River for a month. As he was about to depart at dawn, I took his hand and said: "Long ago, when Xuefeng passed through Mount Zhurong, someone urged him to climb to the summit. He shook his head, pulled his sleeve free, and said: 'The green mountains will always be here, but a true teacher is hard to meet.'" Indeed, though the forests and mountains are beautiful, they offer no real benefit to the path—this is clear. Mazu once said to Ziyu: "The beauty of these mountains and waters is a worthy place to dwell, and it will nourish your spirit of the Way." This suggests that nature does benefit the path. Why is that? And when I consider the words of Xinghua, he said: "Though I succeed Linji, the one who awakened me as a friend was Dajue." So it seems that mountains and forests are not the first concern—what matters is the teacher who comes after. Such virtuous companions must be honored to this degree. Alas! Among these three things—fine landscapes, wise teachers, and virtuous friends—ancient sages who attained even one would boast of it among the monastic community and be remembered by later generations. How much more remarkable is Yantong, who possesses all three at once! I alone, bound by my narrow fate and nearing old age, grasp one while longing for the other two, and standing before him I cannot escape my shame. Yet though my own share seems meager, I rejoice abundantly in Yantong's good fortune. All the gentlemen have composed poems, and I offer this preface as a parting gift. May Yantong look upon it with compassion!