五祖更欲與語,The Fifth Patriarch wished tocontinue the conversation,且見徒眾總在左右,but noticing that his discipleswere gathering all around,乃令隨眾作務。he told me to followthe group off to work.惠能曰:惠能啟和尚,I said, "Huineng wants toinform the High Master弟子自心,常生智慧,that wisdom is always activein this disciple's mind,不離自性,as I never depart frommy essential nature—即是福田。this itself isthe field of blessings.未審和尚教作何務?What work wouldthe High Master have me do?"祖云:The Fifth Patriarch replied,這獦獠根性大利,"What a barbarian.You are very sharp.汝更勿言,Say no more.著槽廠去。Go to the granary shedin the back and get to work." 惠能退至後院,So I withdrew to a back building有一行者,差惠能破柴踏碓。where a laborer put meto work splitting firewoodand threshing riceon the hulling pestle. 經八月餘,I spent more thaneight months at this work,祖一日忽見惠能曰:when the Patriarch unexpectedlycame one day to see me, and said,吾思汝之見可用,"I think your insightscan be of some use,恐有惡人害汝,but I was afraid thatbad people would harm you.遂不與汝言。That is why I haven'tspoken with you.汝知之否?Do you understand the situation?"惠能曰:弟子亦知師意,I replied, "Your discipleunderstands the Master's intentions不敢行至堂前,and has avoided the front hall令人不覺。so as not tocall attention to myself." 祖一日喚諸門人總來:One day the Patriarchsummoned all his disciplesand said to them,吾向汝說,"I tell you,世人生死事大,for all people the matterof birth and deathis a serious concern.汝等終日只求福田,Yet all day long you just seekgood fortune and happiness不求出離生死苦海。rather than trying toescape from the bitter seaof birth and death.自性若迷,If you are confused aboutyour essential nature,福何可救?how can blessings save you?汝等各去,I want all of you自看智慧,to draw upon your wisdom取自本心般若之性,and use the prajna-essenceof your original mind各作一偈,來呈吾看。to compose a verse to show me.若悟大意,If you understandthe great meaning,付汝衣法,I will pass on to youthe robe and Dharma,為第六代祖。making you the sixth patriarch.火急速去,Go now!不得遲滯,This is an urgent issue.思量即不中用。Thinking about it is useless —見性之人,someone who has experiencedthe essential nature言下須見。should see it immediatelyupon hearing these words!若如此者,One who perceives like this輪刀上陣,亦得見之。could see it evenin the heat of battle,facing whirling swords!"