予嘗讀圓悟之錄而重有感也，其言曰：「佛語心為宗，宗通說亦通。」絕學凌夷，棲神溟涬之域，執文彩已彰為第二義，失於墮空；吝情筌蹄之境，苦形名未兆為向上事，過在墮實。英俊之流，踏倒化城，直趨寶所，如波斯胡，珍寶滿船，遇風而濟。凡所謦咳，孰不是珠玉從九天下也？惟遠禪師其無媿乎！師字鎣方，蘇之長洲人。年少從諸老宿游，登陟講肆，博通該練。每以聖言玄遠，非可聲求色見，而未審所趨向。適本師夫山和尚錫駐靈峰，和尚為三峰嫡子，天童、三峰兩翁倡明大道，如日月麗天，而管窺蠡測紛紜之議，每同聚訟。和尚崛起，融瓶盂釵釧為一金，攪酥酪醍醐為一味，愍世愈切，門庭愈峻，一時順風以請者，無不望崖而退。師獨矍然曰：「吾獲所歸矣！」素有贏疾，扶杖而登，先具大戒岐嶷之質，和尚已心器之，然謂：「是年少者，佛法不怕爛卻，曷俟病愈？」師自矢朝聞夕死無憾，而後即安。未幾，於槌拂之下驀得心空，證之圓覺，洞徹無礙。座下久參龍象蹴踏，師新到，出其間，橫機無所讓。靈嵒一席得法，實自師始。師為人重然諾，不輕嚬笑，以佛祖大事，非得少為足所能荷擔，窮探關鍵，冥搜堂奧，脅不安席者三載，聲名藹著，遍於吳越。而二豎為虐，刀圭罔效，所稱亡身徇道者非耶？予辱與師交最稔，晤對終日，勤勤以法門大事為勉勵，一巾布之微，不敢屑越，食息寢興，稍逸於眾，輒顰蹙曰：「余有玷叢席矣！」或以疾相勞苦，即謂：「彼斷臂投崖者何人？小子而敢自怠？」其志念深遠，又豈流俗所能測其涯涘者？故泊然於去來之際，顏色談笑如平時。自師之歿，士大夫嘆於室，昆弟哭於途，和尚盡然有喪予之痛，風穴所以垂涕，仰山所以再來，端有俟矣！卯辰之交，和尚弘法受誣，師寢疾一室，雞鳴風雨之餘，從藥罏茶鐺邊掇拾流落，其著述未富，頌古百首為成書，凡出語必欲超軼古之作者，如十影神駒，九霄俊鶻，濤涌雲興，一一從胸襟流出。稽之圓悟之語，吻合無間，孤峰絕炤，寒潭寫影，撒珍珠於紫羅帳內，栽玉樹於明月堂前，鴛鴦繡出，漆桶增光，蝴蝶夢回，古錐失色。今其言具在，必有讀而興起者，若舍爾兼帶，取茲鞶帨，則趙昌畫花，非真花也，吾滋懼矣！為略敘其梗概如此，而師不止此。嗚呼！敢曰知言哉？

I have read the records of Yuanwu and was deeply moved by them. It says: "The Buddha's teachings take the mind as their essence. When the essence is understood, the words are also understood." When profound learning declines and the spirit dwells in the realm of obscurity, clinging to the beauty of words as the ultimate truth leads to the error of emptiness. Clinging to the tools of understanding and treating the unmanifested as the highest truth leads to the error of attachment. Outstanding individuals, however, trample the illusory city and head straight for the treasure land, like the Persian merchant whose ship is full of jewels, sailing through the wind. Every word they utter is like pearls and jade descending from the heavens. Is not Master Yuan truly worthy of this?

The master, named Yingfang, was from Changzhou in Suzhou. In his youth, he studied under many elders, delving into lectures and becoming widely learned and proficient. He often felt that the sacred teachings were profound and could not be grasped through mere words or appearances, yet he was unsure of the path to follow. It happened that his teacher, Master Fushan, was residing at Lingfeng Temple. Master Fushan was a direct disciple of Sanfeng. Masters Tiantong and Sanfeng had revived the great Way like the sun and moon shining in the sky, yet many shallow and confused debates arose, often leading to disputes. Master Fushan rose above this, merging vessels and ornaments into one gold, blending milk and ghee into one flavor. The more he pitied the world, the stricter his gate became. Those who sought his guidance were often turned back at the threshold. Yet Master Yuanwu declared with determination: "I have found my refuge!"

Though plagued by illness, he climbed the mountain with a cane. His exceptional qualities were already recognized by Master Fushan, who said: "This young man, the Dharma is not afraid of being lost. Why not wait until he recovers?" But Master Yuanwu vowed that even if he died in the evening, he would have no regrets if he heard the truth in the morning. Not long after, under the guidance of the master's staff, he suddenly realized the emptiness of mind, awakening to the perfect enlightenment, seeing through all without obstruction. Among the long-practicing dragons and elephants in the assembly, he, as a newcomer, stood out fearlessly, engaging in debates without yielding. The transmission of the Dharma at Lingyan Temple truly began with him.

Master Yuanwu was a man of his word, seldom smiling lightly. He knew that the great matter of the Buddhas and ancestors could not be shouldered by those content with little. For three years, he tirelessly explored the key points and delved into the depths, never resting comfortably. His reputation spread widely across Wu and Yue. Yet illness plagued him, and medicine proved ineffective. Was he not one who sacrificed himself for the Way? I had the honor of being his close friend. We would converse all day, and he would tirelessly encourage me with the great matter of the Dharma. Even in the smallest matters, such as a cloth towel, he would not be careless. If he rested or ate even slightly more than others, he would frown and say, "I have disgraced the assembly!" If someone expressed concern about his illness, he would reply, "What of those who cut off their arms or leaped from cliffs? How dare I, a mere youth, slack off?" His aspirations were profound, far beyond what ordinary people could fathom. Thus, he faced life and death with equanimity, his expression and laughter as calm as ever.

After his passing, scholars lamented in their chambers, brothers wept on the roads, and Master Fushan grieved as if he had lost his own child. Just as Fengxue shed tears and Yangshan returned, there is indeed a reason for this. During the years of Mao and Chen, when Master Fushan was slandered while spreading the Dharma, Master Yuanwu, confined to his sickroom, gathered scattered teachings amidst the crowing of roosters and the sound of wind and rain, beside the medicine pot and tea stove. Though his writings were not extensive, his hundred verses in praise of the ancients became a completed work. Every word he uttered sought to surpass the ancient masters, like a divine steed with ten shadows or a majestic hawk soaring in the nine heavens. His words flowed from his heart like surging waves and rising clouds. Examining Yuanwu's words, they match perfectly—a solitary peak shining brightly, a cold pond reflecting clearly, scattering pearls within a purple curtain, planting jade trees before the hall of bright moonlight. Embroidering mandarin ducks adds luster to the lacquer bucket; awakening from a butterfly dream dims the ancient awl. Now his words remain, and there will surely be those who read them and are inspired. But if one discards the essence and clings to the ornamentation, it is like Zhao Chang painting flowers—they are not real flowers. I fear this deeply. Thus, I have briefly recounted his story, though the master was far more than this. Alas, dare I claim to understand his words?

Lingshu Yuan Chan Master Yunyan Collection (靈樹遠禪師雲嵒集)

Lingshu Yuan Chan Master Yunyan Collection (靈樹遠禪師雲嵒集)