..续本文上一页om bad!” Thereupon the student makes a deep bow: this is called “the host examines the host.”

　　“Or again, a student will appear before a teacher wearing a cangue and bound with chains. The teacher fastens on still more chains and cangues for him. The student is so delighted that he can”t tell what is what; this is called“the guest examines the guest.”

　　“Virtuous monks, all the examples I have brought before you serve to distinguish demons and point out heretics, thus making it possible for you to know what is erroneous and what is correct.

　　“Followers of the Way, true sincerity is extremely difficult to attain, and the buddhadharma is deep and mysterious, yet a goodly measure of understanding can be acquired. I explain it exhaustively all day long, but you students give not the slightest heed. Though a thousand times, nay ten thousand times, you tread it underfoot, you are still in utter darkness. It is without a vestige of form, yet is clear in its solitary shining.

　　“Because your faith [in yourselves] is insufficient, you students turn to words and phrases and base your understanding upon them. Until you”ve reached the half-century mark you continue dragging [your] dead bodies up blind alleys and running about the world bearing your heavy load. The day will come when you”ll have to pay up for the straw sandals you”ve worn out.

　　“Virtuous monks, when I state that there are no dharmas outside, the student does not comprehend and immediately tries to find understanding within. He sits down cross-legged with his back against a wall, his tongue glued to the roof of his mouth, completely still and motionless. This he takes to be the buddhadharma of the patriarchal school. That”s all wrong.

　　“If you take the state of motionlessness and purity to be correct, then you are recognizing the darkness [of avidyā] as master. This is what a man of old meant when he said, “Fearful indeed is the bottomless black pit!” If on the other hand you recognize motion to be correct, since all plants and trees can move, must they then be the Way

　　“Thus “motion is the wind element; motionlessness is the earth element.”Motion and motionlessness both are without self-nature. If you try to seize it within motion, it takes a position within motionlessness. If you try to seize it within motionlessness, it takes a position within motion.

　　Like a fish hidden in a pool,

　　Smacking the waves as it leaps [from the water].

　　Virtuous monks, motion and motionlessness are merely two kinds of states; it is the nondependent Man of the Way who utilizes motion and utilizes motionlessness.

　　“As for the students who come from every quarter, I myself pide them into three categories according to their inherent capacities. If one of less than average capacity comes, I snatch away his state but do not take away his dharma. If one of better than average capacity comes, I snatch away both his state and dharma. If one of superior capacity comes, I snatch away neither his state, his dharma, nor himself.But should a man of extraordinary understanding come, I would act with my whole body and not place him in any category. Virtuous monks, when a student has reached this point, his manifest power is impenetrable to any wind and swifter than a spark from flint or a fl ash of lightning.

　　“The moment a student blinks his eyes he”s already way off . The moment he applies his mind, he”s already differed. The moment he arouses a thought, he”s already deviated. But for the man who understands, it”s always right here before his eyes.

　　“Virtuous monks, you carry your bowl-bag and lug your dung-sack, rushing up blind alleys in search of buddha and in search of dharma. Do you know who it is who right now is running around searching this way

　　 He is brisk and lively, with no roots at all. Though you […

《镇州临济慧照禅师语录 The Recorded Sayings of Chan Master Linji Huizhao of Zhenzhou》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…