二０五 共 融
大师即将圆寂，这是无法挽囘的事实了。弟子们希望为他预备一场隆重的葬礼。大师听到了，就说：「以天地为棺，以日月星辰为冕，整个宇宙为我护行入墓－－我还能奢求比这更庄严的仪式吗？」
大师要求「天葬」，但弟子们无法接受他的遗命，耽心他会被飞禽野兽吞噬。
「那么，记得把我的手杖搁在身边，我好能及时驱走野兽。」大师笑着说。
「这怎么可能，你已经没有知觉了。」
「既然如此，鸟兽来吃我，又有什么关系！」
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.”