Pointer

Secure and intimate with the whole of reality, one obtains

realization right there. In contact with the flow, able to turn

things around, one assumes responsibility directly.

As for cutting off confusion in the light of a stone-struck

spark or a flash of lightning, or towering up like a mile-high

wall where one occupies the tiger's head and takes the tiger's

tail-this I leave aside for the moment. Is there a way to help

people by letting out a continuous path or not? To test, I cite

this: look!

Case

Tao Wu and Chien Yuan went to a house to make a condolence

call. Yuan hit the coffin and said, "Alive or dead?"1 Wu said, "I

won't say alive, and I won't say dead."2 Yuan said, "Why won't

you say?"3 Wu said, "I won't say."4 Halfway back, as they were

returning,5 Yuan said, "Tell me right away, Teacher; if you

don't tell me, I'll hit you."6 Wu said, "You may hit me, but I

won't say,"7 Yuan then hit him.8

Later Tao Wu passed on. Yuan went to Shih Shuang and

brought up the foregoing story.9 Shuang said, "I won't say alive,

and I won't say dead."10 Yuan said, "Why won't you say?"11

Shuang said, "I won't say, I won't say."12 At these words Yuan

had an insight."13

One day Yuan took a hoe into the teaching hall and crossed

back and forth, from east to west and west to east.14 Shuang

said, "What are you doing? "15 Yuan said, "I'm looking for relics

of our late master."16 Shuang said, "Vast waves spread far and

wide, foaming billows flood the skies-what relics of our late

master are you looking for?"17

Hsueh Tau added a comment saying, "Heavens!

Heavens!"18

Yuan said, "This is just where I should apply effort."19

Fu of T'ai Yuan said, "The late master's relics are still present."20

What is he saying? He sure isn't alert. This fellow is still lingering in duality. When a dragon puffs, fog gathers; when a tiger roars, wind rises. He buys the hat to fit the head. He's kind-hearted. He's stumbled past. As it turns out, he misunderstands. He pours foul water right on Yuan's head. The first arrow was still light, but the second arrow goes deep. Not very alert. If he hits, then he'll be getting somewhere. It's rare to meet with the pierced-ear traveller (Bodhidharma); you often encounter travellers who cut a notch in the boat (thinking to mark the spot on the water which the boat is going over at a given time).• If you are like this latter kind of fool, you'll enter hell as fast as an arrow. Again and again he must repeat this. He gets in close to take him. This old fellow's whole body is covered with muddy water. His original attitude is unchanging. He should be hit. But say, why does he hit him? From the beginning there have been people who have received unjust beatings. He knows, yet deliberately offends. He doesn't know whether he's right or wrong-if he's right, that would be wonderful. How fresh and new! Yet there have always been people who eat this kind of food and drink. Though his words are the same, his intent is different. But say, is this the same as or different from his asking before? In the heavens and on earth. If the waves of Ts'ao Ch'i resembled each other, innumerable ordinary people would get bogged down. The blind man! Better not fool me. Within death he has found life. He should show some life for his late master. Don't question him-but observe this fellow's embarrassment. He just follows along behind. He hangs a medicine bag on the back of a hearse. Too bad that he was not so careful at first. What are you saying, Yuan? Only that adept could do this. Why gather in crowds? Too late. Hsueh Tou draws his bow after the thief has gone. He should be buried in the same pit. But tell me, what does this really mean? What has the late master ever said to you? From beginning to end, and even up till now, this fellow has been unable to get himself out. Does everyone see them? They're like flashing lightning. What worn out straw sandals are these? Fu has realized a little bit.

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