Living-Water Dragon

Chan Master Yuanguan was a prominent monk in the early Song Dynasty. Posthumously known as Liangshan Yuanguan for his residence at Mount Liang in Dingzhou (modern-day Changde, Hunan), he served as the ninth-generation dharma successor of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng and studied under Chan Master Tong’an Guanzhi. His lineage played a pivotal role in the Caodong School, with nearly all later renowned Chan masters of the Caodong School descending from his branch.

Master Liangshan Yuanguan once composed:
“Liangshan’s song — none beyond can harmonize;
Ten years seeking a true listener, met not one.”

A monk inquired: “Rare listeners are regretful, but inner thieves plague us more. How to guard against them?”
Yuanguan replied:
“Recognize him, understand him, transform him, employ him — why guard?”

Monk: “Household troops are easy to command — how use a thief in the house?”
Yuanguan: “Let him dwell in the land of non-birth.”
Monk: “Does this leave no place for life?”
Yuanguan: “A stagnant pond hides no dragon.”
Monk: “What is a dragon in living water?”
Yuanguan: “One who summons clouds without spewing fog.”
Monk pressed: “What if clouds bring sudden rain?”

Yuanguan leaped down, grabbing the monk:
“Don’t drench this old monk’s robe!”
And recited:

“The sun sinks half-way, the moon floats half-way;
Grasp this essence — place an ox’s head upon its tail!”

Philosophical Notes:

“Inner Thief” as illusions

Here, “inner thief” refers to the cravings of the six senses (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind).

Transmuting Afflictions:

The master teaches to recognize, understand, transform, and utilize cravings — not suppress or flee them. Yuanguan’s “recognize/employ him” teaches: Observing illusions transforms them into wisdom, echoing Linji’s “Take the thief as your son.”

Land of Non-Birth as Refuge:

The “Land of Non-Birth” signifies a state beyond life/death and attachment — the realm of unconditioned nirvana.

Only by resting in the attachment-free state(unconditioned mind) beyond birth/death can afflictions dissolve.