南嶽山茨際禪師語錄序 理七
南岳山茨际禅师语录序
虎巖法弟道忞撰
Written by Daomin, Dharma Brother of Huyan
孔子以詩書禮樂斆弟子葢三千焉身通六藝者七十有二人至於默而識之其心三月不違仁則顏氏之子殆庶幾乎然不幸短命死矣深暮所以痛悼之也故曰天喪予天喪予又曰惜乎吾見其進也未見其止也嗟嗟墓門有梅有鴞萃止矣而九苞之鳳五色之麟曾畢世而莫之遘者何其中道折翼復創於車子鉏商哉此吾於山茨禪師不能無感傷焉師出報恩老叔之門報恩高臥磬山三十載學者非人物精奇不容廁籌室師以警敏之噐英發之資茂齡親炙以迄於壯故師於報恩也固已升堂入室三拜得髓矣而報恩之於師則殆於祐之有寂演之有勤杲之有光焉會恩有東明之命雅推師出世然師心朞方遠大不欲蹈襲時常住未有幾即拂衣去深遯𢖍嶽初止綠蘿菴玄學多歸之以口眾艱於食復下南源三遷一依古德枯澹住持磨礲鈯斧以砥厲方來遂有垂示拈頌若干語皆的的提持本分者着子殊無語言文字與人齩嚼葢與今時禾黍不陽艷競栽桃李春者迥異矣乃誤服野人之芹竟爾一朝趨寂於乎顏淵死孔子之道失傳師如永年吾宗可倚孰謂鸞鳳竄伏鴟鴞翱翔豈真天不可與慮道不可與謀也耶雖然塗毒鼓聲尚未停音當有聞之而命不全活者師葢未死吾復何憂哉。
**Translation:**
Confucius taught the *Book of Poetry, Book of History, Rites, and Music* to about three thousand disciples. Among them, seventy-two mastered the six arts. As for one who silently understood and absorbed the truth, whose heart never strayed from benevolence for three months—that was Yan Hui, who came close to perfection. But unfortunately, he died young. Confucius deeply mourned him, saying, "Heaven has bereft me! Heaven has bereft me!" He also said, "Alas! I saw his progress, but I never saw his limit." Sighing, he said: "At the grave gate, there are plum trees, and owls gather upon them. Yet the nine-phoenix bird, with its five-colored wings, never appeared in all my lifetime. Why? Because it broke its wings mid-flight, and was also injured by the charioteer Ju Shang!" This is why I cannot help but feel sorrow for Master Shanci.
Master Shanci came from the gate of old uncle Bao'en. Bao'en had secluded himself on Qingshan Mountain for thirty years, and would not allow anyone into his meditation hall unless they were of exceptional character and talent. Master Shanci, with his keen intellect and brilliant nature, received his teacher's guidance from a young age and continued until adulthood. Thus, he had already entered the hall and ascended the seat, receiving the marrow of his teacher's teaching through three prostrations. As for Bao'en's view of Shanci, it was like You's regard for Ji, Yan's regard for Qin, or Gao's regard for Guang. When Bao'en received an order from the Eastern Ming, he recommended Shanci to succeed him as teacher. However, Shanci's aspirations were far-reaching, and he did not wish to follow the common path. Shortly after, he left his position and went into deep seclusion on Heng Mountain.
He first settled in the Green Vine Hut, where many scholars of profound learning gathered. Because the crowd was large and food was scarce, he moved down to Nanyuan. After three moves, he followed the ancient sages' practice of simple and ascetic living, sharpening his understanding like a dull axe to teach those who came. He left behind some sayings and verses, all of which directly point to the essential truth. They contain no mere words or language for people to chew on. In this, he was completely different from those who, like farmers who do not grow lush grain, compete in planting peach and plum trees in spring. Yet, he mistakenly took the wild celery of a commoner's offering and suddenly passed away.
Alas! After Yan Hui's death, Confucius's teaching was lost. If Master Shanci had lived long, our tradition would have had a pillar. Who would have thought that the phoenix would hide away while the owl soars? Is heaven truly beyond our consideration, and the Way beyond our seeking? Still, the drum of the Poison-Renewing Death has not yet fallen silent, and when the sound is heard, there will be those who lose their lives for it. Master Shanci has not truly died. Why should I worry?