二０五 共 融
大師卽將圓寂，這是無法挽囘的事實了。弟子們希望為他預備一場隆重的葬禮。大師聽到了，就說：「以天地為棺，以日月星辰為冕，整個宇宙為我護行入墓－－我還能奢求比這更莊嚴的儀式嗎？」
大師要求「天葬」，但弟子們無法接受他的遺命，耽心他會被飛禽野獸吞噬。
「那麼，記得把我的手杖擱在身邊，我好能及時驅走野獸。」大師笑着說。
「這怎麼可能，你已經沒有知覺了。」
「旣然如此，鳥獸來吃我，又有什麼關係！」
COMMUNION
When it was certain that the Master was going to die, his disciples wished to give him
a worthy funeral. The Master heard of this and said, “With the sky and the earth for my
coffin; the sun and moon and stars for my burial regalia; and all creation to escort me to
the grave — could I desire anything more ceremonious and impressive?”
He asked to be left unburied but the disciples wouldn’t hear of it, protesting that he
would be eaten by the animals and birds.
“Then make sure you place my staff near me that I might drive them away.” said the
Master with a smile,
“How would you manage that? You will be unconscious,”
“In which case it will not matter, will it that I be devoured by the birds and beasts.”