68.官人代送衣單 An official offering to take his bags

官人代送衣單

一日早在途中拜香。後來一馬車。緩行不越前。公覺而避之。官下車問。大師在路拜什麼。告以故。官亦湘人。談甚暢洽。又曰我住峨口白云寺。朝台必經路。衣單代你先送到。公謝之去。

宣化偈曰： 湘省官人識大德。願送衣單白云居。 從此輕便向前拜。洪願將遂暢心懷。

An official offering to take his bags

Early one morning when the Master was bowing along the road, a horse-drawn carriage came up from behind. The carriage moved slowly without overtaking him. The Master moved out of the way, but the vehicle came to a stop and an official got out and asked, “Why is the Venerable Master prostrating himself on the road?” The Master told him. The official was also a native of Hsiang-hsiang, so they chatted pleasantly. He told the Master, “I am presently staying at Pai Yun Monastery in O K’ou, which is on the route to Wu T’ai. I can take your bag there for you if you wish.” The Master accepted, thanked him, and they parted.

The verse says: The official born in the county of Hsiang recognized Great Virtue And offered to take the Master’s bag to Pai Yun Monastery. After this the Master traveled light and continued bowing along. His remarkable vow was nearing completion, and the joy in his heart was great.