14. What is Buddha? 如何是佛？ A monk, named Hui Chao, asked Fa Yen, “ Hui Chao asks the teacher, What is Buddha?” Fa Yen said, “You are Hui Chao.” 举僧问法眼：“慧超咨和尚，如何是佛？” 法眼云：“汝是慧超。”
15. In the river country the spring wind isn’t blowing; Deep within the flowers partridges are calling. At the three-tiered Dragon Gate, where the waves are high, fish become dragons, Yet fools still go on scooping out the evening pond water. 江国春风吹不起，鹧鸪啼在深花里。 三级浪高鱼化龙，痴人犹戽夜塘水。 What is Buddha? 如何是佛？
16. A monk, called Xuan Ze, came to study at Fayan’s monastery but never came to see him privately, never came to ask any questions. One day Fayan asked him, “Why don’t you come to my room and ask any questions?” The monk said, “Didn’t you know, when I was at Jinglin’s place I had an entry.” Fayan said, “Try to recall it for me.” 只如玄则监院在法眼会中，也不曾参请入室。一日法眼问云：“玄则监院何不来入室？”则云：“和尚岂不知，某甲于青林处，有个入头。”法眼云：“汝试为我举看。” What is Buddha? 如何是佛？
17. The monk said, “I asked, ‘What is Buddha?’ and Lin said, ‘Bing Ding God comes looking for fire.’” Fayan said, “Good words, but I’m afraid you don’t understand. Can you say something more?” The monk said, “The fire god, Bing Ding is in the province of fire. He’s seeking fire with fire. Likewise, I am a Buddha, yet I went on searching for Buddha.” And Fayan said, “Just as I thought, you don’t understand.” 则云：“某甲问如何是佛？”林云：“丙丁童子来求火。”法眼云：“好语，恐尔错会，可更说看。”则云：“丙丁属火，以火求火，如某甲是佛，更去觅佛。”法眼云：“监院果然错会了也。” What is Buddha? 如何是佛？
18. The monk became really angry at this. Here he was, presenting his understanding, which he has been feeling quite contented with, and this renowned teacher comes along and snatches it away. So the monk leaves the monastery to protect his understanding. Watching him go, Fayan says, “This man can be saved if he comes back. If he doesn’t return, he can’t be saved.” 则不愤，便起单渡江去。法眼云：“此人若回可救，若不回救不得也。” What is Buddha? 如何是佛？
19. Meanwhile, out on the road, this monk is chewing on this, trying to sort it all out. “How could he deceive me so? Fayan is a teacher of 500 monks. He’s known all across China as a great master…” So he turns back, again calls on Fayan and asks him to clarify the matter for him. Fayan has been waiting for this moment, “Just ask me and I’ll tell you.” 则到中路自忖云：“他是五百人善知识，岂可赚我那？”遂回再参。法眼云：“尔但问我，我为尔答。” What is Buddha? 如何是佛？
20. So the monk says, “What is Buddha?” And Fayan responds as he must: “Ding Bing god comes looking for fire.” Now the monk experiences it directly and realizes himself. When the question truly comes from the heart, the answer is always close at hand. 则便问：“如何是佛？”法眼云：“丙丁童子来求火。”则于言下大悟。 What is Buddha? 如何是佛？
