---
title: "趙州和尚語錄 · 偈頌"
description: "赵州从谂禅师是唐代著名禅宗高僧其语录由弟子文远记录后世有大参重校和明声重刻本流传内容汇集了赵州接引学人的机锋对话公案禅语生动展现了南宗禅的生活化与直指人心之特色赵州茶等著名公案广为流传影响深远该语录是研究禅宗临济宗思想的重要文献在佛教史上地位崇高对后世禅风及中日韩禅学发展皆有深刻影响"
url: "https://rushiwowen.co/en/r/cmgn0oimf0gxxjl0427iva4ia"
---

## 趙州和尚語錄卷下　　并對機勘弁偈頌等

師因在室坐禪次，主事報和尚云：「大王來禮拜。」大王禮拜了，左右問：「烈土王來，為什麼不起？」師云：「你不會。老僧者裏，下等人來，出三門接；中等人來，下禪床接；上等人來，禪床上接。不可喚大王作中等、下等人也，恐屈大王。」大王歡喜，再三請入內供養。

> The master was sitting in meditation in his room when the temple steward reported, "The king has come to pay his respects." After the king had finished his bow, those around him asked, "When a great king comes, why do you not rise?" The master replied, "You do not understand. In my place, when someone of lower standing comes, I go out to the main gate to greet them. When someone of middling standing comes, I step down from the meditation seat to greet them. When someone of superior standing comes, I greet them from the meditation seat. I cannot treat the king as a middling or lower person; that would be disrespectful to His Majesty." The king was delighted and repeatedly invited the master into the palace to offer him support.

師因問周員外：「你還夢見臨濟也無？」員外豎起拳。師云：「那邊見？」外云：「者邊見。」師云：「什麼處見臨濟？」員外無對。師問：「周員外什麼處來？」云：「非來非去。」師云：「不是老鴉，飛來飛去。」

> The master asked Official Zhou, "Do you still dream of Linji?" Official Zhou raised his fist. The master asked, "Where do you see him?" Zhou replied, "Here." The master asked, "Then where do you see Linji?" Official Zhou had no answer. The master asked, "Official Zhou, where have you come from?" Zhou said, "Neither coming nor going." The master said, "If you're not a crow, why fly back and forth?"

師示眾云：「才有是非，紛然失心，還有答話分也無？」後有僧舉似洛浦，洛浦扣齒；又舉似雲居，雲居云：「何必。」僧舉似師，師云：「南方大有人喪身失命。」僧云：「請和尚舉。」師才舉，僧便指傍僧云：「者箇師僧，喫卻飯了，作什麼語話。」

> The master addressed the assembly, saying, "Once you start making distinctions between right and wrong, your mind falls into confusion. Is there any room left for a response?" Later, a monk recounted this to Luopu. Luopu clicked his teeth in response. The monk then recounted it to Yunju. Yunju said, "Why bother?" The monk reported this back to the master. The master said, "In the south, many people lose their lives over this." The monk said, "Please, Master, explain further." As soon as the master began to speak, the monk pointed to a nearby monk and said, "This monk here—after eating his meal, what kind of talk is this?"

師因看《金剛經》次，僧便問：「一切諸佛及諸佛阿耨菩提，皆從此經出。如何是此經？」師云：「《金剛般若波羅蜜經》，如是我聞，一時佛在舍衛國。」僧云：「不是。」師云：「我自理經也不得？」

因僧辭去，師云：「闍梨出外，忽有人問：『還見趙州否？』你作麼生祗對？」云：「只可道見。」師云：「老僧是一頭驢，你作麼生見？」無語。

> When a monk was about to leave, the Master asked, "Venerable, when you go out into the world, if someone asks you, 'Have you seen Master Zhaozhou?' how will you answer?" The monk replied, "I can only say I have seen him." The Master said, "This old monk is a donkey—how do you see that?" The monk was speechless.

師問新到：「從什麼處來？」云：「南方來。」師云：「還知有趙州關麼？」云：「須知趙州關者。」師叱云：「者販私鹽漢。」又云：「兄弟！趙州關也難過。」云：「如何是趙州關？」師云：「石橋是。」

> The master asked a new arrival, "Where have you come from?" The monk replied, "From the south." The master asked, "Do you know of the Zhaozhou Pass?" The monk said, "One must know of the Zhaozhou Pass." The master scolded him, "You smuggler of salt!" Then he added, "Brother, even the Zhaozhou Pass is hard to cross." The monk asked, "What is the Zhaozhou Pass?" The master said, "The stone bridge is."

有僧從雪峰來，師云：「上座莫住此間，老僧者裏只是避難所在，佛法盡在南方。」云：「佛法豈有南北？」師云：「直饒你從雲居、雪峰來，也只是箇擔板漢！」云：「未審那邊事如何？」師云：「你因什麼夜來尿床？」云：「達後如何？」師云：「又是阿屎。」

> A monk came from Xuefeng. The master said, "Venerable, do not stay here. This old monk's place is merely a refuge. The Dharma is fully present in the south." The monk said, "How can the Dharma have north or south?" The master said, "Even if you come from Yunju or Xuefeng, you are still just a shoulder-pole carrier!" The monk said, "I do not understand the matter over there. How is it?" The master said, "Why did you wet the bed last night?" The monk said, "After awakening, then what?" The master said, "Just another pile of shit."

示眾云：「我此間有出窟師子，亦有在窟師子，只是難得師子兒。」時有僧彈指對之。師云：「是什麼？」云：「師子兒。」師云：「我喚作師子兒早是罪過，你更行趯踏。」

> The master addressed the assembly, saying, "Here I have lions who have left the cave, and lions who remain in the cave. But what is truly hard to find is a lion cub." At that moment, a monk snapped his fingers in response. The master asked, "What is that?" The monk replied, "A lion cub." The master said, "Even calling it a lion cub is already a fault. Yet you go further and trample on it."

問新到：「離什麼處？」云：「離雪峰。」師云：「雪峰有什麼言句示人？」云：「和尚尋常道：『盡十方世界，是沙門一隻眼，你等諸人向什麼處屙？』」師云：「闍梨若迴，寄箇鍬子去。」

> The master asked a newly arrived monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk replied, "From Xuefeng." The master asked, "What teachings did Xuefeng impart to people?" The monk said, "The master often said: 'The entire universe is the eye of a monk. Where do you all go to relieve yourselves?'" The master said, "If you return, send him a shovel."

師因捨衣俵大眾次，僧便問：「和尚總捨卻了，用箇什麼去？」師召云：「湖州子。」僧應諾。師云：「用箇什麼！」

> When the master was distributing robes to the assembly, a monk asked, "Venerable, you’ve given them all away—what will you use yourself?" The master called out, "Huzhou fellow!" The monk responded, "Yes?" The master said, "What will you use!"

師示眾云：「未有世界，早有此性；世界壞時，此性不壞。」僧問：「如何是此性？」師云：「五蘊四大。」云：「此猶是壞，如何此性？」師云：「四大五蘊。」

> The Master addressed the assembly, saying: "Before the world existed, this nature was already present. When the world perishes, this nature does not perish." A monk asked: "What is this nature?" The Master replied: "The five aggregates and the four elements." The monk said: "These too perish. How can this be the nature?" The Master answered: "The four elements and the five aggregates."

定州有一座主到，師問：「習何業？」云：「經律論不聽便講。」師舉手示之：「還講得者箇麼？」座主茫然不知。師云：「直饒你不聽便講得，也只是箇講經論漢，若是佛法，未在。」云：「和尚即今語話，莫便是佛法否？」師云：「直饒你問得答得，總屬經論，佛法未在。」無語。

> In Dingzhou, there was a head monk who arrived. The master asked, “What practice do you engage in?” He replied, “I lecture on the sutras, vinaya, and treatises without needing to listen first.” The master raised his hand and asked, “Can you lecture on this?” The head monk was bewildered and did not know how to respond. The master said, “Even if you can lecture without listening first, you are still just a lecturer of sutras and treatises. When it comes to the true Dharma, you are not yet there.” The head monk asked, “Master, are the words you speak now not the true Dharma?” The master replied, “Even if you can ask and answer questions, it all belongs to sutras and treatises. The true Dharma is not yet present.” The head monk was left speechless.

師因問一行者：「從什麼處來？」云：「北院來。」師云：「那院何似者院？」行者無對。有僧在邊立，師令代行者語，僧代云：「從那院來。」師笑之。師又令文遠代之，文遠云：「行者還是；不取師語話。」

> The master then asked a practitioner, "Where have you come from?" The practitioner replied, "From the Northern Monastery." The master asked, "How is that monastery compared to this one?" The practitioner had no response. A monk was standing nearby, so the master asked him to answer on the practitioner's behalf. The monk replied, "I came from that monastery." The master laughed at this. The master then asked Wen Yuan to answer instead. Wen Yuan said, "The practitioner is correct—there is no need to rely on the master's words."

師問座主：「所習何業？」云：「講《維摩經》。」師云：「《維摩經》：『步步是道場。』座主在什麼處？」無對。師令全益代座主語，全益云：「只者一問，可識道場麼？」師云：「你身在道場裏，心在什麼處？速道取！」云：「和尚不是覓學人心。」師云：「是。」云：「只者一問一答，是什麼？」師云：「老僧不在心所裏，法過眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意而知解。」云：「既不在心數裏，和尚為什麼覓？」師云：「為你道不得。」云：「法過眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意而不解，作麼生道不得？」師云：「喫我涕唾。」

> The master asked the lecturer, "What do you practice?" He replied, "I lecture on the \*Vimalakirti Sutra\*." The master said, "The \*Vimalakirti Sutra\* says: 'Every step is a place of practice.' Where is your place of practice?" The lecturer had no reply. The master told Quanyi to answer for him. Quanyi said, "Just this one question—can you recognize the place of practice?" The master said, "Your body is in the place of practice—where is your mind? Speak quickly!" Quanyi said, "The master is not searching for the student's mind." The master said, "Correct." Quanyi said, "Then what is this question and answer?" The master said, "This old monk is not within the realm of mind. The Dharma transcends the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and intellect, yet is known and understood." Quanyi said, "If you are not within the realm of mind, why does the master search?" The master said, "Because you cannot express it." Quanyi said, "If the Dharma transcends the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and intellect without being understood, how can it not be expressed?" The master said, "You're just swallowing my spit."

師問僧：「你曾看《法華經》麼？」云：「曾看。」師云：「經中道：『納衣在空閑，假名阿練若，誑惑世間人。』你作麼生會？」僧擬禮拜。師云：「你披納衣來否？」云：「披來。」師云：「莫惑我。」云：「如何得不惑去？」師云：「自作活計，莫取老僧語。」

> The master asked a monk, "Have you ever read the Lotus Sutra?" The monk replied, "Yes, I have." The master said, "The sutra says: 'Wearing patched robes in solitude, calling oneself a forest-dweller, deceiving the people of the world.' How do you understand this?" The monk made as if to bow in reverence. The master said, "Are you wearing patched robes?" The monk said, "I am." The master said, "Don't deceive me." The monk asked, "How can I avoid deception?" The master said, "Attend to your own practice. Don't cling to my words."

師問座主：「所習何業？」云：「講《維摩經》。」師云：「那箇是維摩祖父？」云：「某甲是。」師云：「為什麼卻為兒孫傳語？」無對。

> The master asked the lecturer, “What is your field of study?” He replied, “I lecture on the \*Vimalakīrti Sūtra\*.” The master said, “Who is Vimalakīrti’s grandfather?” The lecturer said, “I am.” The master said, “Then why are you merely passing on the words of his descendants?” He had no reply.

師一日上堂。僧纔出禮拜，師乃合掌珍重。又一日僧禮拜。師云：「好好問。」云：「如何是禪？」師云：「今日天陰，不畣話。」

> One day, the master ascended the teaching seat. A monk had just stepped forward to bow in respect when the master clasped his hands together and said, "Take care." Another day, a monk bowed in respect. The master said, "Ask properly." The monk asked, "What is Chan?" The master replied, "The sky is overcast today—no answer."

問新到：「從何方來？」云：「無方面來。」師乃轉背。僧將坐具，隨師轉。師云：「大好無方面。」

> The master asked the newly arrived monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk replied, "I come from no direction." The master then turned his back to him. The monk picked up his sitting mat and followed the master as he turned. The master said, "Excellent—no direction at all."

問新到：「從什麼處來？」云：「南方來。」師云：「三千里外逢，莫戲！」云：「不曾。」師云：「摘楊花，摘楊花。」

> The master asked the newcomer, "Where have you come from?" He replied, "From the south." The master said, "Meeting from three thousand miles away—don't play games!" The other said, "I'm not playing." The master said, "Pluck the willow blossoms, pluck the willow blossoms."

豐干到五臺山下，見一老人。干云：「莫是文殊也無？」老人云：「不可有二文殊也！」干便禮拜，老人不見。有僧舉似師，師云：「豐干只具一隻眼。」師乃令文遠作老人，我作豐干。師云：「莫是文殊也無？」「豈有二文殊也！」師云：「文殊，文殊。」

> Fenggan arrived at the foot of Mount Wutai and saw an old man. Fenggan asked, "Could this be Manjushri?" The old man replied, "There cannot be two Manjushris!" Fenggan immediately bowed in reverence, and the old man vanished. A monk later recounted this to the master. The master said, "Fenggan possessed only one eye." The master then instructed Wenyuan to play the old man, while he himself took the role of Fenggan. The master asked, "Could this be Manjushri?" "How could there be two Manjushris!" The master then said, "Manjushri, Manjushri."

師問二新到：「上座曾到此間否？」云：「不曾到。」師云：「喫茶去！」又問那一人：「曾到此間否？」云：「曾到。」師云：「喫茶去！」院主問：「和尚！不曾到，教伊喫茶去，即且致；曾到，為什麼教伊喫茶去？」師云：「院主。」院主應喏。師云：「喫茶去！」

> The master asked two newly arrived monks, "Have either of you been here before?" One replied, "I have not been here before." The master said, "Go have some tea." He then asked the other, "Have you been here before?" The other replied, "I have been here before." The master said, "Go have some tea." The monastery director asked, "Venerable Master, telling the one who hasn't been here to go have tea—that I can understand. But why tell the one who has been here to go have tea as well?" The master called, "Director." The director responded, "Yes?" The master said, "Go have some tea."

師到雲居，雲居云：「老老大大，何不覓箇住處？」師云：「什麼處住得？」雲居云：「前面有古寺基。」師云：「與麼即和尚自住取。」師又到茱萸，茱萸云：「老老大大，何不覓箇住處去？」師云：「什麼處住得？」茱萸云：「老老大大，住處也不識！」師云：「三十年弄馬騎，今日卻被驢撲。」師又到茱萸方丈，上下觀瞻，茱萸云：「平地喫交作什麼？」師云：「只為心麤。」

> The master arrived at Yunju's place. Yunju said, "You're an old, venerable one. Why haven't you found a place to settle?" The master replied, "Where is there a place that can be settled?" Yunju said, "There's an old temple foundation up ahead." The master said, "In that case, you should settle there yourself." The master then went to Zhuyu's place. Zhuyu said, "You're an old, venerable one. Why haven't you found a place to settle?" The master replied, "Where is there a place that can be settled?" Zhuyu said, "You're an old, venerable one, and you don't even know where to settle!" The master said, "After thirty years of riding horses, today I'm tripped up by a donkey." The master then entered Zhuyu's abbot's quarters, looking all around. Zhuyu said, "What's the point of stumbling on level ground?" The master replied, "Only because my mind is still coarse."

師一日將拄杖上茱萸法堂上，東西來去，萸云：「作什麼？」師云：「探水！」萸云：「我者裏一滴也無，探箇什麼？」師將杖子倚壁，便下去。

> One day, the master took his staff and went up to the hall where Zhuyu was teaching. He paced back and forth from east to west. Zhuyu asked, "What are you doing?" The master replied, "Checking the water!" Zhuyu said, "Here, there isn't a single drop. What are you checking?" The master leaned his staff against the wall and went down.

臺山路上有一婆子，要問僧。僧問：「臺山路，向什麼處去？」云：「驀直去！」僧才行，婆云：「又與麼去也！」師聞後，便去問：「臺山路，向什麼處去？」云：「驀直去！」師才行，婆云：「又與麼去也！」師便歸，舉似大眾云：「婆子今日被老僧勘破了也。」

> On the way to Mount Tai, there was an old woman who wanted to question a monk. The monk asked, "Where does the road to Mount Tai lead?" She replied, "Go straight ahead!" As soon as the monk started walking, the old woman said, "And so he goes!" When the master heard about this, he went to ask her, "Where does the road to Mount Tai lead?" She replied, "Go straight ahead!" As soon as the master started walking, the old woman said, "And so he goes!" The master then returned and said to the assembly, "Today, this old woman has been seen through by this old monk."

師見僧來，挾火示之，云：「會麼？」僧云：「不會」。師云：「你不得喚作火，老僧道了也。」師挾起火云：「會麼？」云：「不會。」師卻云：「此去舒州有投子山和尚，你去禮拜問取；因緣相契，不用更來；不相契，卻來。」其僧便去，才到投子和尚處，投子乃問：「近離什麼處？」云：「離趙州，特來禮拜和尚！」投子云：「趙州老人有何言句？」僧乃具舉前話。投子乃下禪床，行三五步，卻坐云：「會麼？」僧云：「不會！」投子云：「你歸舉似趙州。」其僧卻歸，舉似師，師云：「還會麼？」云：「未會。」師云：「也不較多也。」

> When the master saw a monk approach, he picked up a firebrand and showed it to him, asking, "Do you understand?" The monk said, "I don't understand." The master said, "You must not call this fire. I have already spoken." The master then picked up the firebrand again and asked, "Do you understand?" The monk said, "I don't understand." The master then said, "From here, go to Shuzhou, where there is a monk on Mount Touzi. Go pay your respects and ask him. If your connection with him is harmonious, there is no need to return. If it is not harmonious, then come back." The monk then went. As soon as he arrived at Master Touzi's place, Touzi asked him, "Where have you come from recently?" The monk said, "I have come from Zhaozhou, especially to pay my respects to you, Master!" Touzi asked, "What words did the old man of Zhaozhou have to say?" The monk then recounted the previous conversation in full. Touzi then stepped down from his meditation seat, walked three or five steps, sat back down, and asked, "Do you understand?" The monk said, "I don't understand!" Touzi said, "Go back and report this to Zhaozhou." The monk then returned and reported this to the master. The master asked, "Do you understand now?" The monk said, "I still don't understand." The master said, "That's not far off either."

洞山問僧：「什麼處來？」云：「掌鞋來。」山云：「自解？依他？」云：「依他。」山云：「他還指闍梨也無？」無對。師代云：「若允即不違。」普化喫生菜，臨濟見云：「普化大似一頭驢。」普化便作驢啼。臨濟便休去。普化云：「臨濟小廝兒，只具一隻眼。」師代云：「但與本分草料。」

> Dongshan asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk replied, "From mending shoes." Dongshan asked, "Did you do it yourself, or did you rely on someone else?" The monk said, "I relied on someone else." Dongshan asked, "Did that person point out anything to you?" The monk had no reply. The master answered on his behalf: "If it is accepted, there is no contradiction." Puhua was eating raw vegetables. Linji saw him and said, "Puhua is just like a donkey." Puhua immediately brayed like a donkey. Linji then stopped. Puhua said, "Linji, you little fellow, you only have one eye." The master answered on his behalf: "Just give him his proper fodder."

保壽問胡釘教：「莫便是胡釘教否？」云：「不敢。」保云：「還釘得虛空麼？」云：「請打破虛空來！」保壽便打，卻云：「他後有多口阿師，與你點破在。」胡釘教後舉似師，師云：「你因什麼被他打？」云：「不知過在什麼處！」師云：「只者一縫尚不奈何，更教他打破！」釘教便會。師代云：「且釘者一縫。」師問新到：「離什麼處？」云：「雪峰來。」師云：「雪峰有什麼言句示人？」云：「雪峰尋常道：『盡十方世界都來是沙門一隻眼。你諸人向什麼處屙？』」師云：「你若迴，寄闍梨一箇鍬子去。」

> Baoshou asked Hu Dingjiao, "Are you perhaps Hu Dingjiao?" He replied, "I dare not claim to be." Baoshou said, "Can you nail the void?" Hu replied, "Please break the void first!" Baoshou then struck him and said, "Later, there will be a talkative monk who will point it out for you." Later, Hu Dingjiao recounted this to the master. The master asked, "Why did he strike you?" Hu said, "I don't know where my fault lies!" The master said, "Even this one seam you cannot handle, yet you ask him to break the void!" Hu Dingjiao understood. The master commented, "Just nail this one seam." The master asked a newly arrived monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk replied, "From Xuefeng." The master asked, "What teachings does Xuefeng impart to people?" The monk said, "Xuefeng often says, 'The entire ten-direction world is but one eye of a monk. Where do you all go to relieve yourselves?'" The master said, "If you return, bring a shovel for the abbot."

師因行路次，見一婆子問：「和尚住什麼處？」師云：「趙州東院西。」師舉向僧云：「你道使那個西字？」一僧云：「東西字。」一僧云：「依棲字。」師云：「汝兩人總作得鹽銕判官。」

> The Master was walking along the road when he met an old woman who asked, "Venerable, where do you live?" The Master replied, "East of Zhaozhou, west of the temple." Later, the Master brought this up with a monk and asked, "What do you think—which word for 'west' did I mean?" One monk said, "The word meaning 'direction.'" Another said, "The word meaning 'dwelling.'" The Master said, "You two would both make fine salt-and-iron officials."

師與侍郎遊園，見兔走過，侍郎問：「和尚是大善知識，兔子見為什麼走？」師云：「老僧好殺。」

> The master was strolling in the garden with the official when a rabbit ran past. The official asked, "Venerable master, you are a great teacher of wisdom. Why did the rabbit run away at the sight of you?" The master replied, "Because I have a taste for killing."

師因見僧掃地次，遂問：「與麼掃，還得淨潔也無？」云：「轉掃轉多。」師云：「豈無撥塵者也？」云：「誰是撥塵者？」師云：「會麼？」云：「不會。」師云：「問取雲居去。」其僧乃去，問雲居：「如何是撥塵者？」雲居云：「者瞎漢。」

> The master saw a monk sweeping the ground and asked, "Sweeping like that, does it become clean or not?" The monk replied, "The more I sweep, the more dust there is." The master said, "Is there no one who can clear away the dust?" The monk asked, "Who is the one who can clear away the dust?" The master said, "Do you understand?" The monk said, "I don't understand." The master said, "Go ask Yunju." The monk then went and asked Yunju, "What is the one who can clear away the dust?" Yunju said, "This blind fellow."

師問僧：「你在此間多少時也？」云：「七八年。」師云：「還見老僧麼？」云：「見。」師云：「我作一頭驢，你作麼生見？」云：「入法界見。」師云：「我將為你有此一著，枉喫了如許多飯！」僧云：「請和尚道。」師云：「因什麼不道：『向草料裏見！』」

> The master asked a monk, "How long have you been here?" The monk replied, "Seven or eight years." The master said, "Have you ever seen me?" The monk said, "Yes, I have." The master said, "If I become a donkey, how would you see me?" The monk said, "I would see you within the Dharma realm." The master said, "I thought you had something like this in you—all those meals you’ve eaten have been wasted!" The monk said, "Please, Master, explain." The master said, "Why didn’t you say: 'I’d see you in the hay and fodder!'"

師問菜頭：「今日喫生菜熟菜？」菜頭提起一莖菜，師云：「知恩者少，負恩者多。」

> The master asked the vegetable gardener, "Today, did you eat raw vegetables or cooked vegetables?" The gardener picked up a stalk of greens. The master said, "Few are those who know gratitude; many are those who forget kindness."

有俗行者到院燒香，師問僧：「伊在那裏燒香禮拜，我又共你在者裏語話，正與麼時，生在那頭？」僧云：「和尚是什麼？」師云：「與麼即在那頭也。」云：「與麼已是先也。」師笑之。

> A lay practitioner came to the temple to burn incense. The master asked a monk, "While he is over there burning incense and making prostrations, and I am here conversing with you—at this very moment, where does life arise?" The monk replied, "Master, what do you mean?" The master said, "If so, then it arises over there." The monk said, "Then it has already arisen earlier." The master smiled.

師與小師文遠論義，不得占勝，占勝者輸餬餅。師云：「我有一頭驢！」遠云：「我是驢紂。」師云：「我是驢糞。」遠云：「我是糞中虫。」師云：「你在彼中作麼？」遠云：「我在彼中過夏。」師云：「把將餬餅來。」

> The Master was debating with his junior disciple Wen Yuan, with the rule that whoever won the argument would lose a sweet cake. The Master said, "I have a donkey!" Wen Yuan said, "I am the donkey's harness." The Master said, "I am the donkey's dung." Wen Yuan said, "I am a worm in the dung." The Master said, "What are you doing in there?" Wen Yuan said, "I am spending the summer there." The Master said, "Hand over the sweet cake."

師因入內回，路上見一幢子無一截，僧問云：「幢子一截，上天去也？入地去也？」師云：「也不上天，也不入地。」云：「向什麼處去？」師云：「撲落也。」

> The master was returning from the palace when he saw a broken flagpole along the road. A monk asked, "Where did the broken part of the flagpole go—up to the heavens or down into the earth?" The master replied, "It neither went up to the heavens nor down into the earth." The monk asked, "Then where did it go?" The master said, "It just fell down."

師坐次，一僧才出禮拜，師云：「珍重。」僧伸問次，師云：「又是也。」

> As the Master was seated, a monk stepped forward to bow in reverence. The Master said, "Take good care." Just as the monk began to speak, the Master said, "Here it is again."

師因在簷前立，見燕子語，師云：「者燕子喃喃地，招人言語。」僧問：「未審他還甘也無？」師云：「依俙似曲才堪聽，又被風吹別調中。」

> The master was standing under the eaves when he saw swallows chattering. He said, "These swallows, murmuring away, seem to be inviting conversation." A monk asked, "I wonder if they are truly content with it?" The master replied, "Their song, like a faint melody, is just pleasant to hear—yet with the next gust of wind, it shifts to another tune."

有僧辭去，師云：「什麼處去？」云：「閩中去。」師云：「閩中大有兵馬，你須迴避。」云：「向什麼處迴避？」師云：「恰好。」

> A monk came to take his leave. The master asked, "Where are you going?" The monk replied, "To Minzhong." The master said, "Minzhong is full of troops and horses—you must avoid them." The monk asked, "Where should I avoid them?" The master said, "Right where you are."

有僧上參次，見師衲衣蓋頭坐次，僧便退。師云：「闍梨莫道老僧不祗對。」

> A monk came forward to seek guidance and saw the master sitting with his robe covering his head. The monk then withdrew. The master said, "Venerable, do not say that this old monk refused to respond."

師問僧：「從什麼處來？」云：「南方來。」師云：「共什麼人為伴？」云：「水牯牛。」師云：「好箇師僧，因什麼與畜生為伴？」云：「不異故。」師云：「好箇畜生。」云：「爭肯。」師云：「不肯且從，還我伴來。」

> The master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk replied, "From the south." The master said, "Who did you travel with?" The monk said, "A water buffalo." The master said, "A fine monk like you—why would you travel with an animal?" The monk said, "Because there is no difference." The master said, "A fine animal indeed." The monk said, "How could it be otherwise?" The master said, "Whether it is or not, return my companion to me."

師問僧：「堂中還有祖師也無？」云：「有。」師云：「喚來與老僧洗腳。」

> The master asked a monk, "Is there a patriarch in the hall?" The monk said, "Yes, there is." The master said, "Call him over to wash my feet."

堂中有二僧，相推不肯作第一座，主事白和尚，師云：「總教他作第二座。」云：「教誰作第一座？」師云：「裝香著。」云：「裝香了也。」師云：「戒香定香。」

> In the hall, two monks were deferring to each other, neither willing to take the first seat. The attendant reported this to the master. The master said, "Then let them both be the second seat." The attendant asked, "Who should take the first seat?" The master replied, "Set out the incense." The attendant said, "The incense has been set out." The master said, "The incense of precepts, the incense of meditation."

師問僧：「離什麼處？」云：「離京中。」師云：「你還從潼關過麼？」云：「不歷。」師云：「今日捉得者販私鹽漢。」

> The master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk replied, "From the capital." The master said, "Did you pass through Tongguan on your way?" The monk said, "I did not go that way." The master said, "Today I have caught a smuggler of salt."

因送亡僧，師云：「只是一箇死人，得無量人送。」又云：「許多死漢，送一箇生漢。」時有僧問：「是心生，是身生？」師云：「身心俱不生。」云：「者箇作什麼？」師云：「死漢。」

> While seeing off a deceased monk, the master said, "Just one dead person, yet so many come to see him off." Then he added, "So many dead men, seeing off one living man." At that moment, a monk asked, "Is it the mind that is born, or the body that is born?" The master replied, "Neither mind nor body is born." The monk asked, "Then what is this?" The master said, "A dead man."

有僧見貓兒，問云：「某甲喚作貓兒，未審和尚喚作什麼？」師云：「是你喚作貓兒。」

> A monk saw a cat and asked, "I call it a cat, but I wonder what the master calls it?" The master replied, "You are the one who calls it a cat."

因鎮州大王來訪師，侍者來報師，云：「大王來。」師云：「大王萬福。」侍者云：「未在，方到三門下。」師云：「又道大王來也。」

> When the Prince of Zhenzhou came to visit the Master, an attendant came to report, saying, "The Prince is here." The Master said, "May the Prince enjoy boundless blessings." The attendant said, "He hasn't arrived yet—he's just reached the outer gate." The Master said, "And yet you said the Prince is here."

因上東司召文遠，文遠應喏。師云：「東司上，不可與你說佛法也。」

> On the way to the latrine, the master called out to Wenyuan, and Wenyuan answered. The master said, "At the latrine, I cannot discuss the Dharma with you."

因在殿上過，乃喚侍者，侍者應喏。師云：「好一殿功德。」侍者無對。

> As he was passing through the main hall, the master called to his attendant, who responded. The master said, "What a fine hall of merit." The attendant had no reply.

師因到臨濟，方始洗腳，臨濟便問：「如何是祖師西來意？」師云：「正值洗腳。」臨濟乃近前側聆，師云：「若會便會，不會更莫啗啄，作麼？」臨濟拂袖去，師云：「三十年行腳，今日為人錯下注腳。」

> The master had just arrived at Linji's place and was washing his feet when Linji asked, "What is the true meaning of the Patriarch's coming from the West?" The master replied, "Just now I'm washing my feet." Linji then leaned closer, tilting his ear to listen intently. The master said, "If you understand, you understand. If you don't, don't keep pecking at it like a bird—what are you doing?" Linji flicked his sleeve and turned to leave. The master remarked, "Thirty years of wandering, and today I've misplaced a footnote for someone."

師因到天台國清寺，見寒山、拾得，師云：「久響寒山、拾得，到來只見兩頭水牯牛。」寒山、拾得便作牛鬥，師云：「叱叱。」寒山、拾得咬齒相看，師便歸堂。二人來堂內，問師：「適來因緣作麼生？」師乃呵呵大笑。

> The master arrived at Guoqing Temple on Mount Tiantai and saw Hanshan and Shide. The master said, "I've long heard of Hanshan and Shide, but now that I'm here, I only see two water buffaloes." Hanshan and Shide immediately began butting heads like bulls. The master said, "Tsk, tsk." Hanshan and Shide glared at each other, grinding their teeth. The master then returned to the hall. The two followed him into the hall and asked, "What was that exchange about earlier?" The master simply laughed heartily.

一日，二人問師：「什麼處去來？」師云：「禮拜五百尊者。」二人云：「五百頭水牯牛聻尊者。」師云：「為什麼作五百頭水牯牛去？」山云：「蒼天蒼天！」師呵呵大笑。

> One day, two people asked the master, "Where have you been?" The master said, "I went to pay respects to the five hundred venerable ones." The two said, "The five hundred venerable ones are just water buffaloes!" The master said, "Why do you call them five hundred water buffaloes?" The mountain said, "Heavens, heavens!" The master laughed heartily.

師行腳時，見二庵主。一人作ㄚ角童。師問訊，二人殊不顧。來日早晨，ㄚ角童將一鐺飯來，放地上，分作三分。庵主將席子近前坐。ㄚ角童亦將席近前，相對坐，亦不喚師。師乃亦將席子近前坐。ㄚ童目顧於師，庵主云：「莫言侵早起，更有夜行人。」師云：「何不教詔這行者？」庵主云：「他是人家男女。」師云：「洎合放過。」ㄚ童便起，顧視庵主，云：「多口作麼？」ㄚ童從此入山不見。

> When the Master was traveling, he saw two hermitage masters. One of them had a young attendant with hair tied in two buns. The Master greeted them, but the two paid him no attention at all. The next morning, the young attendant brought a pot of rice, placed it on the ground, and divided it into three portions. The hermitage master moved his mat forward and sat down. The young attendant also moved his mat forward and sat facing him, still not calling the Master. So the Master also moved his mat forward and sat down. The young attendant glanced at the Master. The hermitage master said, "Don't say you rose early; there are still night travelers." The Master said, "Why not instruct this attendant?" The hermitage master replied, "He is someone else's child." The Master said, "It would be fitting to let him pass." The young attendant then stood up, looked at the hermitage master, and said, "Why so much talk?" From then on, the young attendant entered the mountains and was never seen again.

師因看經次，沙彌文遠入來，師乃將經側視之。沙彌乃出去。師隨後把住，云：「速道！速道！」文遠云：「阿彌陀佛！阿彌陀佛！」師便歸方丈。

> The master was reading a scripture when the novice Wenyuan entered. The master glanced at him sideways over the scripture. The novice then turned to leave. The master followed, grabbed him, and said, "Speak! Speak quickly!" Wenyuan said, "Amitabha Buddha! Amitabha Buddha!" The master then returned to his room.

因沙彌童行參，師向侍者道：「教伊去。」侍者向行者道：「和尚教去。」師云：「沙彌童行得入門，侍者在門外。」

> When the novice monk and the young attendant came to visit, the master said to his attendant, "Tell them to leave." The attendant then said to the visitors, "The master says you must go." The master remarked, "The novice and the young attendant have entered the gate, but my attendant remains outside."

師行腳時，到一尊宿院，才入門相見，便云：「有麼？有麼？」尊宿豎起拳頭，師云：「水淺船難泊。」便出去。又到一院，見尊宿，便云：「有麼？有麼？」尊宿豎起拳頭，師云：「能縱能奪，能取能撮。」禮拜便出去。

> When the master was traveling on foot, he arrived at an elder's monastery. As soon as he entered and met the elder, he asked, "Anything? Anything?" The elder raised his fist. The master said, "The water is too shallow for the boat to moor," and left. He then came to another monastery and met the elder there. Again he asked, "Anything? Anything?" The elder raised his fist. The master said, "Able to release and able to seize, able to take and able to gather." He bowed and left.

師一日拈數珠，問新羅長老：「彼中還有者箇也無？」云：「有。」師云：「何似者箇？」云：「不似者箇。」師云：「既有，為什麼不似？」無語。師自代云：「不見道新羅、大唐。」

> One day, the master held up a string of prayer beads and asked the Elder from Silla, "Do they have this where you come from?" The elder replied, "Yes, we do." The master asked, "How does it compare to this one?" The elder said, "It is not like this one." The master pressed, "If you have it, why is it not the same?" The elder had no answer. The master answered for him, saying, "Haven't you heard it said: Silla is Silla, and the Tang is the Tang?"

問新到：「什麼處來？」云：「南方來！」師豎起指，云：「會麼？」云：「不會。」師云：「動止萬福。不會？」

> The master asked the newcomer, "Where have you come from?" He replied, "From the south." The master raised a finger and asked, "Do you understand?" He said, "I don't understand." The master said, "Then I wish you well in all your comings and goings. Still don't understand?"

師行腳時，問大慈：「般若以何為體？」慈云：「般若以何為體？」師便呵呵大笑而出。大慈來日見師掃地次，問：「般若以何為體？」師放下掃帚，呵呵大笑而去。大慈便歸方丈。

> When the master was traveling, he asked Daci, "What is the essence of Prajna?" Daci replied, "What is the essence of Prajna?" The master then let out a hearty laugh and left. The next day, Daci saw the master sweeping. He asked again, "What is the essence of Prajna?" The master put down his broom, laughed heartily, and walked away. Daci then returned to his room.

師到百丈，百丈問：「從什麼處來？」云：「南泉來。」百丈云：「南泉有何言句示人？」師云：「有時道『未得之人亦須峭然去。』」百丈叱之。師容愕然。百丈云：「大好峭然。」師便作舞而出。

> When the Master arrived at Baizhang, Baizhang asked, "Where have you come from?" He replied, "From Nanquan." Baizhang said, "What teachings has Nanquan been sharing with people?" The Master said, "Sometimes he says, 'Even those who have not yet attained must go forth with unwavering determination.'" Baizhang scolded him. The Master looked startled. Baizhang said, "Truly unwavering!" The Master then danced and left.

師到投子處，對坐齋。投子將蒸餅與師喫。師云：「不喫。」不久下糊餅，投子教沙彌度與師。師接得餅，卻禮沙彌三拜。投子默然。

> The Master arrived at Touzi's place and sat opposite him for the meal. Touzi offered him a steamed bun to eat. The Master said, "I won't eat it." Soon after, plain cakes were served. Touzi instructed a novice monk to pass one to the Master. The Master received the cake, then bowed three times to the novice. Touzi remained silent.

因僧寫師真呈師，師云：「若似老僧，即打殺我；若不似，即燒卻。」

> When a monk painted the master's portrait and presented it to him, the master said: "If it looks like me, you have killed me. If it does not look like me, burn it."

師因與文遠行次，乃以手指一片地，云：「這裏好造一箇巡鋪子。」文遠便去彼中立，云：「把將公驗來。」師便打一摑。遠云：「公驗分明過。」

> The master and Wenyuan were traveling together when the master pointed to a patch of ground and said, "This would be a good spot to set up a checkpoint." Wenyuan immediately went and stood there, saying, "Show me your travel pass." The master slapped him. Wenyuan said, "The pass is clearly in order."

師問新到：「近離甚處？」云：「臺山。」師云：「還見文殊也無？」僧展手。師云：「展手頗多，文殊誰睹？」云：「只守氣急殺人。」師云：「不睹雲中鴈，焉知沙塞寒。」

> The master asked a newly arrived monk, "Where have you come from recently?" The monk replied, "Mount Wutai." The master asked, "Did you see Manjushri?" The monk spread out his hands. The master said, "Many have spread their hands, but who has truly seen Manjushri?" The monk said, "I only know that holding one's breath can kill a person." The master replied, "If you have never seen the wild geese in the clouds, how would you know the cold of the desert frontier?"

問：「遠遠投師，請師一接。」師云：「孫賓門下，因什麼鑽龜？」僧拂袖出去。師云：「將為當榮，折他雙足。」

> The monk asked, "I have come from afar to seek your guidance. Please accept me as your disciple." The master replied, "At Sun Bin's gate, why do you still resort to tortoise-shell divination?" The monk flicked his sleeve and turned to leave. The master said, "Thinking it would bring honor, he broke both his feet."

師與首座看石橋，乃問首座：「是什麼人造？」云：「李膺造。」師云：「造時向什麼處下手？」無對。師云：「尋常說石橋，問著下手處也不知。」

> The master and the head monk were looking at the stone bridge. The master asked the head monk, "Who built this?" The head monk replied, "Li Ying built it." The master asked, "Where did he begin when he built it?" The head monk had no answer. The master said, "You often speak of the stone bridge, yet when asked where the work began, you do not know."

有新羅院主請師齋，師到門首，問：「此是什麼院？」云：「新羅院。」師云：「我與你隔海。」

> The abbot of the Silla Hall invited the master for a meal. When the master arrived at the gate, he asked, "What hall is this?" The abbot replied, "The Silla Hall." The master said, "You and I are separated by an ocean."

問僧：「什麼處來？」云：「雲居來。」師云：「雲居有什麼言句？」云：「僧問：『靈羊掛角時如何？』雲居云：『六六三十六。』」師云：「雲居師兄由在。」僧卻問：「未審和尚尊意如何？」師云：「九九八十一。」

> The master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk replied, "From Yunju." The master asked, "What teachings does Yunju have?" The monk said, "A monk asked, 'When the spirit sheep hangs by its horns, what then?' Yunju said, 'Six sixes are thirty-six.'" The master said, "Brother Yunju is still caught up in it." The monk then asked, "May I ask, what is your honorable intention?" The master replied, "Nine nines are eighty-one."

有一婆子日晚入院來，師云：「作什麼？」婆云：「寄宿。」師云：「者裏是什麼所在？」婆呵呵大笑而去。

> One evening, an old woman entered the monastery. The master asked, “What are you doing here?” She replied, “I’m looking for a place to stay.” The master said, “What kind of place do you think this is?” The old woman let out a hearty laugh and left.

師出外，逢見一箇婆子提一箇籃子，師便問：「什麼處去？」云：「偷趙州筍去。」師云：「忽見趙州，又作麼生？」婆子近前，打一掌。

> The master went out and met an old woman carrying a basket. He asked, "Where are you going?" She replied, "I'm going to steal some bamboo shoots from Zhaozhou." The master said, "What if you run into Zhaozhou himself?" The old woman stepped forward and slapped him.

師因見院主送生飯，鴉子見便總飛去，師云：「鴉子見你為什麼卻飛去？」院主云：「怕專甲。」師云：「是什麼語話？」師代云：「為某甲有殺心在。」

> The master saw the monastery keeper bringing food for the creatures. As soon as the crows saw him, they all flew away. The master asked, "Why do the crows fly away when they see you?" The monastery keeper replied, "They're afraid of me." The master said, "What kind of talk is that?" The master then explained on his behalf, "Because I still have the intention to kill within me."

師問僧：「什麼處來？」云：「江西來。」師云：「趙州著在什麼處？」僧無對。

> The master asked a monk, "Where have you come from?" The monk replied, "I have come from Jiangxi." The master said, "Where is Zhaozhou in all this?" The monk had no answer.

師從殿上過，見一僧禮拜。師打一棒，云：「禮拜也是好事。」師云：「好事不如無。」

> The master passed through the hall and saw a monk bowing in reverence. He struck him with his staff and said, "Bowing is also a good thing." Then he added, "But a good thing is not as good as nothing at all."

師因參潼關，潼關問師云：「你還知有潼關麼？」師云：「知有潼關。」云：「有公驗者即得過，無公驗者不得過。」師云：「忽遇鑾駕來時如何？」關云：「也須檢點過。」云：「你要造反。」師到寶壽，寶壽見師來，遂乃背面而坐。師便展坐具。寶壽起立，師便出去。

> The Master went to visit Tongguan. Tongguan asked him, "Do you know there is a Tongguan?" The Master said, "I know there is a Tongguan." Tongguan said, "Those with official passes may pass; those without official passes may not pass." The Master said, "What if the imperial carriage suddenly arrives?" Tongguan said, "It too must be inspected before passing." The Master said, "You intend to rebel." The Master then went to Baoshou. When Baoshou saw the Master coming, he turned his back and sat facing away. The Master then spread out his sitting mat. Baoshou stood up, and the Master left.

師在南泉時，泉牽一頭水牯牛，入僧堂內，巡堂而轉。首座乃向牛背上三拍，泉便休去。師後將一束草安首座面前，首座無對。

> When the Master was at Nanquan, Nanquan led a water buffalo into the monks' hall, walking it around the hall. The head monk then patted the buffalo's back three times, and Nanquan stopped. Later, the Master placed a bundle of grass in front of the head monk. The head monk had no reply.

有秀才見師，乃讚嘆師云：「和尚是古佛。」師云：「秀才是新如來。」

> A scholar saw the Master and praised him, saying, "Venerable Master, you are a Buddha of ancient times." The Master replied, "And you, scholar, are a newly manifested Tathagata."

有僧問：「如何是涅槃？」師云：「我耳重。」僧再問，師云：「我不害耳聾。」乃有頌：「騰騰大道者，對面涅槃門；但坐念無際，來年春又春。」

> A monk asked, "What is Nirvana?" The master said, "My ears are heavy." The monk asked again, and the master said, "I am not pretending to be deaf." Then there was a verse: "Those who tread the great path, face the gate of Nirvana; just sit, thoughts without bounds, next spring, spring comes again."

有僧問：「生死二路是同是別？」師乃有頌：「道人問生死，生死若為論？雙林一池水，朗月耀乾坤。喚他句上識，此是弄精魂。欲會箇生死，顛人說夢春。」

> A monk asked, "Are the paths of life and death the same or different?" The master then offered this verse: "A seeker asks of life and death— How can one speak of life and death? At Twin Groves, a single pond of water, A bright moon illuminates the world. If you grasp at words to understand, That is just playing with shadows. To truly comprehend life and death— It's like a fool talking of spring in a dream."

有僧問：「諸佛有難，火焰裏藏身；和尚有難，向什麼處藏身？」師乃有頌：「渠說佛有難，我說渠有災；但看我避難，何處有相隨。有無不是說，去來非去來；為你說難法，對面識得未？」

> A monk asked, "When the Buddhas face calamity, they hide within the flames. When you, Master, face calamity, where will you hide?" The master then offered a verse: You speak of the Buddhas' calamity, I speak of your own disaster. Just watch how I take refuge from peril— nowhere is there any form to follow. "Being" and "non-being" are not what is spoken of; "coming" and "going" are neither coming nor going. For your sake I speak this Dharma of difficulty— have you recognized it, right here before your face?