..续本文上一页he capital of Zhenzhou. Because of its location the temple was called “Linji” (“Overlooking the Ford”). By that time Puhua was already there. Pretending to be crazy, Puhua mixed with the people and no one could tell whether he was a sage or a commoner. When the master arrived there Puhua was of help to him. When the master”s teaching began to flourish, Puhua vanished, body and all. This agreed with the prediction made by Yangshan, the “Little Śākya.”
It happened that local fighting broke out, and Linji abandoned the temple.The Grand Marshal, Mo Junhe, donated his house inside the town walls and made it into a temple. Hanging up a plaque there, inscribed with the old name “Linji,” he had the master make it his residence.
Later the master tucked up his robes and went south to the prefecture of He. The governor of the prefecture, Councilor Wang, extended to him the honors due a master. After staying for a short while, the master went to Xinghua temple in Daming Prefecture, where he lived in the Eastern Hall.
Suddenly one day the master, although not ill, adjusted his robes, sat erect, and when his exchange with Sansheng was finished, quietly passed away. It was on the tenth day of the first month in the eighth year of Xiantong of the Tang dynasty. His disciples built a memorial tower for the master”s body in the northwest corner of the capital of Daming Prefecture. The emperor decreed that the master be given the posthumous title Meditation Master Huizhao [“Illuminating Wisdom”] and his stupa be called Chengling [“Translucent Spirit”]. Joining my hands with palms together and bowing low my head, I have recorded in summary the life of the master.
住镇州保寿嗣法小师延沼谨书。镇州临济慧照禅师语录终。
住大名府兴化嗣法小师存奖校勘。永享九年八月十五日板在法性寺东经所。
Respectfully inscribed by the humble heir Yanzhao of Baoshou in Zhenzhou.
Here ends the Recorded Sayings of Chan Master Linji Huizhao of Zhenzhou.
Collated by the humble heir Cunjiang of Xinghua in Daming Prefecture.
《镇州临济慧照禅师语录 The Recorded Sayings of Chan Master Linji Huizhao of Zhenzhou》全文阅读结束。