Recorded Sayings at Huangling Chan Monastery

The Prefectural Official Fu Gong and the local scholars requested a Dharma assembly at Huangling. Ascending the seat, he offered incense and prayed for the emperor's well-being. Then, taking another stick of incense, he said: "This incense has endured poisonous hands, its wisdom exhausted and emotions withered. Long hidden among cliffs and valleys, its roots have grown deep and firm. Now, encountering a true practitioner, I dare not keep it concealed. Before the assembly of humans and devas, I break it open and casually offer it to my late teacher, the Venerable Master Chunbei, the thirty-fourth generation heir of the Linji lineage, currently residing in the Great Compassion Hall, in gratitude for the nourishment of the Dharma milk." Adjusting his robe, he took his seat.

After the leading monk struck the wooden block, the master said: "The seafarer's life is on the vast ocean; a lone boat with a straw cloak wanders freely. Casting the fishing line into the heart of the waves, a golden scale is effortlessly reeled in. Is there anyone willing to stake their life?" No one came forward to question, so he continued: "The path of Huangling is vast, distinct from all other places. The waters are straight as a bowstring; the peaks are sharp as if carved. Those who have not arrived hesitate in heart; those who have arrived perceive clearly with their whole being. Those who hesitate should stride forward; those who perceive clearly must turn inward and attend to themselves. Thus it is said: Matters are not one-sided. Sometimes we take the head as the tail, the tail as the head; make one into many, many into one."

Suddenly raising the whisk, he called to the assembly: "Look! On the tip of this whisk shines the light of the precious moon, illuminating the three thousand great thousand worlds, reaching all boundless lands in the ten directions. In each land, there are countless Buddhas, manifesting as Indra, as officials, as lay practitioners, or even as various other forms, emitting subtle sounds to expound the wondrous Dharma. In each sound, there are boundless teachings; in each teaching, there are boundless meanings." Striking the whisk again, he said: "Do you hear? If you hear, all phenomena neither arise nor cease—this is called the formless single mark. If not, then like a faint melody barely audible, it is swept away by the wind into another tune." He concluded by striking the block and descended from the seat.

The master ascended the hall. A monk asked, "What is the realm of Huangling?" The master said, "A thousand peaks rise in emerald green."

The monk pressed, "What about the person within this realm?" The master replied, "A straight nose and level brows."

The monk continued, "You have already shown me the person and the realm. What about the style of the Linji school?" The master said, "One strike leaves a mark; one slap draws blood."

The monk said, "Majestic, as if present." The master immediately struck him. The monk shouted. The master said, "A fine shout—but where does it land?" As the monk hesitated, the master said, "Only a leap remains."

Then he addressed the assembly: "High hangs the precious mirror, illuminating without bias. When the true command is enacted, all directions are cut off. Thus, solitary and perilous, majestic; Deep and still, illumination ceases. Even if Buddhas or demons arrive, They will all stand downwind. If gods or dragons come, They too must swallow their voices and endure. With such establishment, what virtue is not accomplished? What task is not perfected? I ask you all: Such awe, such action— Upon whose grace does it rely?"

Suddenly raising his whisk, he said: "Time and again, I play a flute without holes— Blown by the contrary wind, blown by the following wind."

The lay practitioner Yunshi has taken the tonsure. Please ascend the hall.

"The precious mirror hangs high, the golden blade is in hand. The black lacquer bucket atop the head is opened, the red silk thread at the heel is severed. Thus, seven holes and eight openings, vertical four and horizontal three, become lively like fish swimming in water, profound and mysterious like the tracks of birds in the sky. It reaches a point where thousands of miles have no reliance, penetrating form and sound, utterly naked and pure. At this very moment, can anything still obstruct? Can anything still bind? Assembly! Since there is such wonder, tell me, on whose account does this matter belong?"

After a long pause, he said: "If not for the woodcutter's path, how could one reach Ge Hong's home?"