黃檗隱元禪師語
Master Yinyuan of Huangbo: Chan Master Yinyuan's Sayings
人有傑，地有靈，交重也，亦交待也。夫人知之重，然後因緣著待，然後時節顯。時哉時哉！跂足引領日，幾幾於寂默灰冷之場，幾何歲月？而其人乃始一旦起乘之，豈偶哉？吾讀黃檗隱大師語錄，而知人地與時之合之非易也。斷際以前已有黃檗，而名未著；斷際著黃檗名，又以其名名所居。於是一黃檗現多黃檗，而開堂說法，非絳節之麓也。嗣居聲實並茂者不乏，又非斷際之傳，歷千餘年。今天童老人暨費大師父子接踵，迭興斷際之道，乃始大闡。而隱大師繼之，堂搆再新，黑白奔湊，纘父祖之緒，於斷際有光，蓋絳節之麓。山君樹神以及萬靈，八部懸企久如，始有今日殊勝耳。地耶？人耶？時耶？三者闕一，即勝亦不殊。因緣會合在今日，其致之，豈自今日哉？茲其語具在，大都掃除知解，直示根源，如吹毛之劍、點雪之爐，而又句意俱到，如摩尼珠，隨現五色，自非牢關穩密，途路坦平，踞佛祖頂𩕳、翻衲僧巴鼻者，安有如是輝天鑑地，活潑縱橫也。嗚呼！斷際以雄峰為父，以滹沱為子，故能掀揭宇宙，久而益昌。今大師父子祖孫，媲美前哲，而又同時闡化，消息互通，更不待重加尋繹，始知胡亂後不曾少鹽醬也。此豈獨一時一地為希有哉？屈指古今，丁斯盛者，蓋不數數源遠流長，吾於斯錄一見決矣。
People of exceptional quality bring honor to a land, just as a land’s spiritual energy enhances its people. The two are intertwined; they give meaning to each other. Only when people recognize what is truly valuable do the conditions for connection arise, and only then does the right moment reveal itself. What a crucial moment this is!
How long did we wait, with eager anticipation and on tiptoe, in a place of near silence and cold ashes? How many years passed? Then, suddenly, that person arose and seized the moment. Could this have been mere coincidence?
When I read the recorded sayings of Master Huangbo Yinduan [the "Hidden Great Master"], I realized how rare it is for a person, a place, and a time to align perfectly. Before Master Duanji [Yinduan's teacher], there was already a place called Huangbo, but its name was not well-known. Master Duanji made the name Huangbo famous, and then used that name for the monastery where he lived. Thus, one "Huangbo" manifested as many, and he began to teach publicly, though not yet at the foot of Crimson Signal Peak.
In the following centuries, while there were many who achieved fame and substance after him, those who continued Duanji’s true lineage were few. Then, over a thousand years later, the Venerable Elder of Tiantong and Master Fei, father and son, arrived in succession. They revived Duanji's tradition, allowing it to flourish widely. The Hidden Great Master continued this work, rebuilding the temple halls, attracting monastics and laypeople alike from across the land. He carried on the legacy of his spiritual ancestors, bringing renewed glory to the lineage of Duanji, right here at the foot of Crimson Signal Peak.
The mountain spirits, tree gods, and all spiritual beings, along with the eight types of celestial guardians, had yearned for this for a very long time. Only now has this wonderful day arrived.
Is it the place? Is it the person? Is it the timing? If even one of these three is missing, even a wonderful place would not be special. The conditions came together today, but did their coming together actually begin today?
These recorded sayings are now here. Their main purpose is to sweep away intellectual understanding and directly point to the fundamental source. They are like a sword sharp enough to split a hair blown against it, or a furnace that instantly melts snow. Yet, at the same time, each line and its meaning are perfectly complete, like a Mani jewel that naturally reflects all colors. Unless one has firmly sealed the gate of transcendence, made the path smooth and even, stands atop the heads of the Buddhas and Patriarchs, and completely masters the inner workings of a Zen monk, how could one produce words that illuminate the heavens and mirror the earth, so lively and free in every direction?
Alas! Duanji had the Great Peak as his spiritual father and the Hutuo River as his spiritual son. Thus, he was able to turn the whole universe upside down, and his influence has only grown over time. Now our great master, with his dharma father, son, and spiritual grandson, rival the brilliance of their ancient predecessors. And at the same time, they all teach and transform people, their insight flowing seamlessly between them. We don't need to start searching again to understand that, even after "mixing everything up," they haven't lost the essential flavor. Is this not a rarity, not just for one time or one place?
Looking through history, how often has such a flourishing age occurred? Root systems that are deep and far-reaching are rare. With this recorded sayings, I saw it firsthand.
崇禎壬午夏仲晉昌唐世濟譔
Composed by Tang Shiji of Jinchang, in the midsummer of the year Renwu during the Chongzhen reign.