Recorded Sayings of Chan Master Tianjie Juelang Sheng at Jiahe (天界覺浪盛禪師嘉禾語錄)

In the autumn of the Guisi year, the master arrived at the temple. At the invitation of the abbot Jingwen and all the local patrons, he ascended the teaching seat.

"An ancient sail's shadow flies to Yuan Lake, Seated among friends in a painting of laughter and freedom. How different from the Yunmen monk who shed his shackles, Riding a donkey backward on the eastern mountain's waters?"

If one can grasp the meaning of these final lines, then they will understand that the place where all Buddhas emerge holds a unique, living path. As Deshan said: "When words are spoken, one seizes the tiger's head and grasps its tail— In the first phrase, the true meaning is revealed."

Yet, how could anyone but my companions comprehend this message? I wonder where my Dharma brothers from Longmen and Xiansheng released this potent energy, establishing this community of practice. In the charnel grounds, they overturned and buried the living dead; among piles of stubborn stones, they cremated the rootless wanderers. With a single blade of grass, they built a palace of Brahma; crossing this threshold, they severed all thieving minds. From a withered stump, they revealed a golden body sixteen feet tall; beholding this radiance, the whole essence shines forth. Whether one comes by boat or land, regardless of the journey, each receives three blows. When Buddhas and patriarchs arrive with nothing to arrange, they too must be dealt with accordingly."

Then, drawing a circle in the air, he said: "Only those who can shatter this into seven petals and eight fragments, standing tall and emerging freely, are able to dissolve the potent energy of my companions and allow this teaching to cover the heavens and encompass the earth. Is there anyone who can leap forth in broad daylight? An eighty-thousand-mile roc emerges from the sea; A three-thousand-year crane returns from the distant sky."

Together with Elder Monk Chuyan, I responded to the invitation of Lord Zhu Kuishi at Zhenru Temple to build a pagoda and ascended the hall.

I shouted once and said, "Is there anyone who can enter here?"

I shouted again and said, "Is there anyone who can exit here?"

I shouted once more and said, "Is there anyone who can release here?"

I shouted again and said, "Is there anyone who can gather here?"

I shouted once more and said, "If one can truly penetrate this, then they are worthy of being called a person who stands firm between heaven and earth, with eyes beneath their feet and insight piercing through the crown of their head. They burst forth from within, overturn the realm of Dharma, and sit side by side with Buddhas past and present. Guest and host interact seamlessly, the profound and the ordinary harmonize perfectly. The ten directions cast their shadows, and the call and response arise simultaneously—like a breeze brushing a sharp blade, like striking a poisonous drum. They sever the root of ordinary and sacred life, opening the true eye of the Buddhas and ancestors. Now, tell me, to whom does this matter belong? If there is indeed someone who can find a turning point and a way out here, then you will understand how in the past, Huangbo’s call brought a chilling wind, and Pei Xiu’s response was met with the radiant sun. Changshui stirred waves atop the Buddha’s head, and colorful clouds played with shadows upon the staff. At this point, one must know that from the very place where the host is extinguished, a great luminous banner emerges. Thus, Elder Sanfeng brought forth the *Record of the Transmission of the Lamp*, causing the venerable Juefan to be utterly shattered, with literary brilliance overflowing. Many people here find themselves unable to die when they wish to die, and unable to live when they wish to live—this is precisely the intricate knot. Yet, who can truly penetrate it? There are those who follow the ancient legacy, like Pang and Pei. Layman Zhu and his son, continuing the family tradition, are all born from the mouth of the Buddha and transformed by the Dharma. They have vowed to revive Zhenru Temple, stirring the opportunity for its creation. Thus, Monk Yinbai initiated the endeavor, and Master Wenjie saw it through to completion, making this treasure truly extraordinary. Moreover, there are three individuals like the Never-Disparaging Bodhisattva, now manifesting with three heads and six arms, striking countless times upon the crown of the head. Right at this moment, they personally witness the assembly of the *Lotus Sutra*, where all Buddhas appear simultaneously. Thus, they meet abruptly, their wheels of opportunity interchanging, directly causing everyone present to have their brows illuminated, piercing through past and present. Is there anyone who can fully take this upon themselves? This is the perfect moment to clarify it. The staff-bearer happened to compose a verse on the boat, and I now present it to Lord Zhu:

Carrying the bell’s sound, shaking water and clouds, The brush tip writes without a single dot—the text is already formed. The grace of Lord Pei remains today, Who can match the interplay of opportunity? Take care!

Venerable layman Tan Sao'an, together with several Dharma protectors, invited me to ascend the Dharma seat at Longyuan. I raised the case: "Guanxi said, 'In the ten directions there are no walls, on all four sides there are no doors.' Yan Zu said, 'Entering and exiting through the same gate, karmic adversaries from past lives.' Just consider, when these two spoke in this way, did they have a place to stand?

In the past, an old master wrote the character for 'mind' on the door and the character for 'mind' on the wall. Another old master said, 'On the door, just write the character for "door"; on the wall, just write the character for "wall."' Yet another old master said, 'On the door, there is no need to write the character for "door"; on the wall, there is no need to write the character for "wall." Why? Because the patterns are already brilliantly clear.'"

The Staff-Bearer said: "This bunch, wielding their hammers without holes, knocking east and striking west, cannot help but see things in terms of doors and walls. How is this any different from washing a clod of earth in mud—what clarity can be found there? All of you should also understand: why has this Staff-Bearer come from Yuanshui to Longyuan? It is precisely because this layman Tan has stirred up this headless case, wanting the Staff-Bearer to judge it for him. Do you know the stakes within this matter? Ha! The sword leaves its precious scabbard to right injustices; medicine emerges from the golden vial to cure illness."

"One phrase determines the universe, All ten directions heed its command, Suddenly revealing the diamond eye, To gaze upon the mirror without shadow."

Suddenly, he shook his staff and said, "Look, look! The staff of Elder Longyuan Supports the heavens and upholds the earth, Shatters all confusion, Leaves buddhas and ancestors in awe, Makes mountains and rivers tremble and retreat. Even Manjushri bows in reverence, While Pangu loses his way in the temple gates. At this point, one must still find a path of liberation. Now, what is the phrase by which the patrons invite the master to preside over Longyuan?"

Again, he shook his staff and said, "Unveiling the Dharma treasury, merging the ordinary and the sacred, Releasing a light that illuminates past and present."

Master Fang Jingxi, a lay practitioner, requested a Dharma talk. "Heavenly blossoms drift everywhere, carried by birds; the vast spring light is subtle and faint. Confucius once said, 'I am with Dian.' Through the ages, how many have truly understood this elegant spirit? Heaven does not speak, yet the seasons turn and all things grow. Some think hiding a boat in a ravine makes it secure, but a strong force can carry it away unnoticed. Lost in obscurity, how can they realize that hiding the world within the world means there is nowhere to hide? To reach this understanding, one must have eyes and hands everywhere, having dredged the depths again and again. Only then can one flick away the bewildered butterfly from the fingertip, brush off the weeping cuckoo from the brow, step through the thorny forest, turn around under the bright moon beyond the curtain. Where Buddhas dwell, carry your staff and play along with the scene; when there is no teacher to follow, wear humble robes and descend into the marketplace. Only then may one enter as Buddha or demon, moving freely among all beings. Is there anyone here who can rise up and walk this path?" He then shouted once and said, "Watch your step."

The lay practitioners of Wulongfang have invited me to ascend the hall. I shout: "Do you understand? There is something that existed before heaven and earth—like calling a guest to divine with a tortoise shell. Formless and inherently serene—like scratching an itch through a boot. It can be the master of all phenomena—yet like stacking targets, it invites arrows. It does not wither with the four seasons—yet stumbles on level ground. If there is someone here who can pull the nail from the back of their head and remove the dust from their eyes, I will allow them to join Master Fu Dashi in holding a hoe with empty hands and riding an ox while walking. But beware—do not pass by the gate of Longyuan, lest your old donkey’s back be broken. Why? If we meet and do not press each other with the sharpest probing, the clamor of ages will never cease."

Venerable Xuehu, along with lay devotees Zhang Zhufang and Xiang Shannan, requested the master to ascend the Dharma seat. A monk asked: "The profound truth has always arisen from the deep abyss; today's encounter is no accident. Face to face, I receive the eyes of a thousand sages—the scenery of truth circulates everywhere without exception. What is the phrase beyond the ordinary?" The master said: "From the tip of the staff, a thousand peaks reveal their splendor; before the Five Phoenix Tower, listen to the beautiful sound." The monk pressed: "If so, then the waters of the four seas and five lakes return to the cave, and the divine dragon distinctly appears in its free movement." The master said: "Before the eyes, there is no other meaning; within the sleeve, lies the universe." The monk said: "I bow in gratitude to the master and take my leave." The master struck his staff once and said: "One phrase establishes the guiding principle, cutting through ancient and modern differences. It opens wide the eyes of a thousand sages, making the entire Dharma realm perfectly clear. Virtuous ones! If one phrase can establish the guiding principle, why is it that all the buddhas and patriarchs of the past each had iron-cast faces, fiery livers and gall, boiling tongues and lips, seizing food and driving plows, distinguishing deviations and selecting demons, pulling out nails and attacking poison, even leaving calamities for the latter age, with illusions and distortions growing ever more bizarre? How then can the entire Dharma realm be made perfectly clear? Is there anyone here who knows where the Dragon Abyss Staff falls? If you can recognize it, the ox-head vanishes, the horse-head turns back; within the mirror of Caoxi, not a speck of dust remains. But if not, even with ambitions to pierce the heavens or schemes to enter the earth, you will only let wild eccentricities run rampant and fierce chariots shoot arrows swiftly—then how can this one who extends a helping hand restrain himself? Now, as for Xuehu, who has closely relied on the staff-bearer for years, and today joins the lay devotees in seeking my instruction on the pivotal essence of the supreme truth—what about that?" He struck his staff again and said: "Step carefully on the poison, yet still ascend the thorn; rouse the lost and extraordinary, activating the opportunity beyond the ordinary."

Venerable Elder Xibo, along with Scholar Wang, Inspector Zhang, Deputy Magistrate Xiang, and other esteemed gentlemen, requested the Master to ascend the hall.

A monk asked: "To uphold the teachings and support the lineage, one must rely on the master's pointing. To take away food and drive away plowing—these are the skillful means of a great one. But today, with the fourfold assembly gathered before you, how will you instruct them?"

The Master said: "A brocade ball is tossed into mid-air."

The monk pressed: "If so, then both Confucianism and Buddhism flourish, and Chan and Vinaya are both embraced."

The Master said: "Across the four seas, six dragons all dance."

The monk said: "Moving the flowers brings the butterflies; buying stones gains abundant clouds."

The Master said: "A wooden man claps his hands, a thousand peaks laugh."

The monk said: "When one person is blessed, his transformation reaches the myriad people."

The Master said: "Mount Tiantai towers majestically."

The monk said: "Today the assembly has a share in beholding this."

The Master said: "Returning to the weeds is for those who return to the weeds."

Then, shaking his staff, he said: "Do you understand? If Confucius did not dream of the Duke of Zhou, all people throughout the ages would remain unawakened in their confusion. If Zhuangzi could transform into a butterfly, the myriad things of the great universe would become lost in illusion. Manjushri should not emerge from the woman's Chan; Deshan did not grasp Yantou's meaning. The Great Compassion Bodhisattva sits within a jar; the Taoist, utterly drunk, holds a leaking cup. Tracing back to the origin and returning to the end, even heaven and earth can be fathomed. Applying methods sideways and using them in reverse, even ghosts and spirits would be perplexed. Watch as my staff points—it can suddenly manifest the wondrous. What is this wonder? A dragon gives birth to a golden phoenix chick; an elephant follows a jade unicorn foal. The tune of great peace is sung from this moment, stirring the upward-reaching opportunity of a new abundance."

The True Thusness is cast as the pinnacle of the pagoda. Master Wenjie, along with esteemed gentlemen Zhu Kuishi and Cao Qiuyue, requested an ascent to the hall. "Originally pure and tranquil, how did mountains, rivers, and the great earth suddenly arise? Repeating words is not fitting. I'll pull Changshui's nose and turn it around, scattering the clouds of the nine heavens, while celestial flowers still fall in disarray. Plant a single blade of grass to erect Brahma's palace, hold up a flower to transmit the Western Patriarch's intent. Recognize the opportunity before you—do not treat it as idle play. The Lotus Sutra speaks of children gathering sand to build a pagoda, gradually accumulating merit, all of whom have attained Buddhahood. Since it is said that all have become Buddhas, then the gradual accumulation is itself the wondrous path of sudden realization. Just as Wen Yuke, without a complete bamboo in his mind, could swiftly wield his brush and have every branch and leaf embody the bamboo's pure breeze and noble integrity, so too, all of you gathered here today—if your minds did not already contain the Buddha, how could you revere and pay homage? If there were no pagoda, how could you gaze upon it in admiration? If you were unaware of the matter of transcendence, how could you approach it? Observe how Master Wen, Layman Zhu, and the venerable assembly, upon initiating the reconstruction of this seven-tiered opportunity, find that every cough, every gesture, is none other than the exquisite manifestation of Prabhutaratna, the reflection of the ten directions. Moreover, with three iron-cast figures striking east and west, causing the sixfold tremors and the flying light of relics, all who see or hear—who would not equally share in this brilliance? Today, especially for the casting and completion of the pinnacle, what shall we say? The staff's tip points out a thousand flower shadows, each treading atop Vairocana's crown."

A layman named Gui recommends his son and requests a brief teaching session.

"The mirror's light holds no special reflection, yet the eye's illusion gives rise to confusion. Startling the jade beauty from her dream, a yellow oriole sings upon the branch.

O virtuous ones! Delicate flowers fade easily—who can accompany the lost soul that knows its way home? Fine fruits ripen late—naturally, we rejoice that the fragrance of transmission remains.

The bond between father and son, the closeness of kinship, never fails. The meaning of coming and going, the impermanence of fate, is ever-changing. Within this, turn the mechanism; beyond convention, dredge the dharma lineage.

Now, how should one turn and dredge? When hearts unite, can forms reunite? When spring returns, shall we see the tree flourish once more?"