Shanciji Chan Master's Recorded Sayings (山茨際禪師語錄)

Residing at Nanyuan Zen Temple, Liuyang, Changsha Prefecture

New Year's Day Dharma Talk

The mind-seal of all Buddhas, transmitted through generations—this is called "a special transmission outside the teachings," "without reliance on words," "the true nature of reality, the formless mind-ground." Those who attain it experience boundless wondrous function; those who miss it find every path blocked. This mountain monk has received this mind-seal, wielding the great hammer and tongs, stoking the great furnace, forging ordinary beings and refining sages, opening the path for those who came before and continuing it for those who follow, magnifying the Buddha's radiance, and offering blessings to the present Emperor.

The Holy Son of Heaven, having attained this mind-seal, expands territories, opens borders, secures the nation, rules from the throne, and nurtures all beings as his children. The ministers and officials, having attained this mind-seal, are wholeheartedly loyal and filial, humble and respectful, spreading grace to the people, relying on mountains and seas. And all of you present—monastic officers—having attained this mind-seal, assist wisdom, glorify the monastery, respond to situations with boundless adaptability, and meet the moment like arrow tips colliding.

Noble ones, at this very moment, tell me: what shape does the seal's mark take? Suddenly raising the whisk, he said: "Look!" If you understand here and now, then your quest is complete, your life's work is done. But if not—"There are seasons that shorten your life, there are spirits that envy your fortune."

He then cited the New Year's Day teaching of Master Qingshan: "Today is the first day of the new year; yesterday was the last day of the old year. Recognize the original nature—there is neither worry nor joy." Then he asked, "What, after all, is the original nature?" The late master answered for himself: "Eyebrows horizontal, nose straight."

This mountain monk, however, disagrees. If someone in the assembly today asks, "What is the original nature?" I would simply say: "Walking, you don't leave home; sitting, you don't occupy the hall."

Evening Chats at Yunshan Monastery: This mountain monk has been living at Nanyuan for almost two months now, and in all that time, I have not raised a single point concerning our school's fundamental teachings. When you all are slow in your work, this mountain monk responds with nothing but scolding or cursing. If you take it merely as scolding or cursing, you yourselves will deserve to fall into the hell of the wagging tongue. But if you do not take it as scolding or cursing, then you will drag this mountain monk into that hell instead. If someone here truly understands where the crucial point lies, then I will give you my staff with both hands this very night. If not... you know only that events pass before your eyes, but you do not realize that old age creeps down from your head.

Everyone, listen closely:

The bitter north wind howls, and jade-white snow swirls down. Those who *know* this [reality] find sustenance along the path. Those who *do not know* this are exposed, poor, and cold.

Thus it is said: *If you grasp it in your heart, the stinking citron tree becomes a sandalwood forest.* *If you miss the essential point, the sweet dew of nectar becomes a garden of thorns.*

Even so, whether you know or you do not know, if you come to the gate of Southern Source, you'll all deserve thirty staff-blows each!

Everyone, let's set aside the matter of "not knowing." But why should those who "know" also receive thirty staff-blows? Do you still see where they land?

*(A shout!)*

**If you haven't the eye to select the Buddha, How could our tradition arrive at where it is today?**

Layman Yang Qin'an came to the mountain for an evening interview with the Master. The Master said, "In investigating this matter, it is essential that practitioners personally see clearly and act swiftly. When you perceive it, you act; when you see it, you are done with it. Don’t you remember how Layman Pang once visited Mazu and asked, 'Who is the one who is not a companion to all dharmas?' Mazu replied, 'When you can drink up all the water in the West River in one gulp, I will tell you.' Upon hearing this, Layman Pang was greatly enlightened. He then returned home, sank his million-family fortune into the Xiang River, and spent his days with his wife and children selling bamboo ladles to make a living. To express this family tradition, he composed a verse:

'Having a son, he does not marry; Having a daughter, she is not given away. The whole family gathers together, Speaking of the birthless teaching.'

The Master drew a line with his staff and said, 'Setting this matter aside, tonight Layman Yang asks me, "Who is the one who is not a companion to all dharmas?" It would be good to hit him with a shout and a blow. All of you, tell me: Is this the same as Mazu’s response or different? Listen to a verse:

Mazu’s words point directly to the source; A blow with the staff opens the eye on the crown of the head— No difference, no sameness."

I address you all: You have traveled great distances to come to Nanyuan Temple to receive the precepts. So let me ask you: Who is it that receives the precepts? If you say it’s this flesh-and-blood body right in front of you, consider this: When your last breath is gone, this lump of flesh will not know when it is cut by knives or burned by fire. It will not know when it is dragged by pigs or torn by dogs. It will not know when it is covered with incense or smeared with filth. It will not know when it is praised or insulted. Since it knows nothing at all, it is clear that this lump of flesh is definitely not the one receiving the precepts. So then, what is it that truly receives the precepts? I, this mountain monk, dare not reveal it completely. You must each turn your light inward and awaken to it yourselves. Remember what the ancients said:

*Worldly toil is a path beyond the ordinary—* *Grasp the rope tight and put up a real fight.* *Without a bone-chilling freeze,* *How could the plum blossom have such fragrant breeze?*

With all due respect, take good care.

At the precept platform, the Master addressed the assembly: "A scholar once asked Master Changsha Jingcen, 'We have only heard the names of the countless Buddhas—what land do they actually dwell in?' Jingcen replied, 'At the Yellow Crane Tower, after Cui Hao’s poem, has anyone else written one?' The scholar said, 'No.' Jingcen said, 'Scholar, when you have time, you should write a good piece yourself.'

The Master continued: "Jingcen wielded the sword that kills, the sword that gives life, the hidden-blade phrase, and the ultimate pivot—he laid them all out plainly. It’s just a pity he met so few who truly understood.

But I am not like that. Here today, if someone were to ask, 'We have only heard the names of the countless Buddhas—what land do they actually dwell in?' I would simply say, **'The direct word comes from the direct mouth.'**

If all of you can realize something from this phrase, then the radiant light of the precepts will appear before your eyes, and right where you are, the karmic grievances will melt like ice.

Otherwise, listen to this verse:

'The direct word has already come from the direct mouth; A true person knows there is something to realize. But confused Chan practitioners don’t understand at all— Groping walls, feeling along, they walk outside.'"

The master addressed the assembly, citing Chan Master Yangqi Huizhen:

"Blessings thin, I dwell at Yangqi, Energy and strength fading year by year. Cold wind strips withered leaves, Yet I'm glad old friends return. La-la, li-li; Throw soggy wood on the ashes— For now, no smoke on the hearth."

The master commented: "The gate is severe, the words subtle—this was the signature of my distant patriarch, the Venerable Yangqi, who upheld the Dharma and maintained the community. Though I am but a humble descendant, I too offer a verse:

Blessings thin, I dwell at Nanyuan, Frosty wind chills the thatched hut. Wrapped in my robe, I sit before the hearth— My form resembles charred skeletal remains. But don't misunderstand: I ask you all to sweep fallen leaves, While I, beneath a thousand peaks in moonlight, Boil ice into a solid mass."

**Laba Day Teaching**

A monk asked, "Leaving aside the immediate style of practice, what is the fundamental precept of the root?" The master remained silent for a long time, then asked, "Do you understand?" The monk replied, "I do not understand." The master said, "Why not?" The monk hesitated. The master struck him and said:

"Right in front of you, it's completely revealed—no room for hesitation or deliberation. Face-to-face guidance depends on a kindred spirit who recognizes the tune. So if I roar like a lion, you must howl like a jackal. If I howl like a jackal, you must roar like a lion. For a true practitioner who looks up to nothing above and has no self-clinging below, hearing such talk—just take it on directly, shoulder the burden wholeheartedly. Then the natural light will always shine before you, standing like a sheer cliff a thousand feet tall. Whether it's this or not this, whether it's with conditions or without—all is acceptable."

Abruptly striking the ground with his staff, he said: "Assembly, do you understand? As long as you keep one thought of returning home, who sees the countless layers of cloudy peaks?"

The master then continued: "Today is the day when our original teacher, Shakyamuni Tathagata, in that cold place before the Mountain of Right Enlightenment, lifted his eyes and saw the morning star shine forth. Suddenly he had a great awakening and exclaimed: 'How wondrous! All beings possess the Tathagata's wisdom and virtue. But due to clinging to delusions and attachments, they cannot realize it.'"

"This one question was once asked to the late Master Qingshan: 'What are delusions?' The late master said: 'Setting up a self and others.' 'What is wisdom and virtue?' The late master said: 'Forgetting self and others.' Assembly, tell me—was the late master answering his question, or explaining his teaching? If you can discern this clearly, I'll acknowledge you have one eye."

"Let me put it differently. If someone asks me today, 'What are delusions?' I'll just say: 'A wooden rooster crows at midnight.' If they ask, 'What is wisdom and virtue?' I'll just say: 'A straw dog barks at daybreak.' Now, tell me—is this the same as the late master or different? Try to determine it."