拍賣筆記 vol.135 佳士得紐約線上：虛堂智愚書法偈語，15.12萬美元售出 - Xutang Zhizyu Calligraphy

爭奪激烈，自從發文的38000美元，到最後的12萬美元落槌。可以看出大家對這張南宋的書法還是情有獨鍾，15.12萬美元（120萬港元）售出。

罵詈瞿曇說脫空，年來分外惡情悰。吳山越水相逢著，放出蟭螟咬大蟲。

「罵詈瞿曇說脫空」─ 用咒罵的語氣，批評那些（或指某些人）談論佛陀所說的『脫空』（即超越一切執著、破除虛幻概念）的言論。

「年來分外惡情悰」─ 多年下來，這種言辭不僅尖刻，更滋生出異常激烈、憤恨的情緒。

「吳山越水相逢著」─ 比喻來自吳地與越地（象徵不同地區、不同派別或背景的人）的人在交會時相互碰撞、紛爭不斷。

「放出蟭螟咬大蟲」─ 用“蟭螟咬大蟲”的形象，指出一些人竟以微不足道的小錯、細枝末節去攻擊、詆毀極其崇高、廣闊的真理，就像小昆蟲去咬體型龐大的生物一般可笑又無濟於事。

虛堂智愚書法偈語 XUTANG ZHIYU Calligraphy

0:00

虛堂智愚（1185–1269）

書法-偈語

估價

USD 6,000 - USD 8,000

水墨紙本 立軸 一二五四年作

9 5⁄8 x 19 1⁄8 in. (24.6 x 48.5 cm.)

釋文：罵詈瞿曇說脫空，年來分外惡情悰。吳山越水相逢著，放出蟭螟咬大蟲。

題識：元藏主游方，無辭。寶佑甲寅（1254年）秋，虛堂叟愚書。

鈐印：虛堂、智愚

Property from a Private West Coast Collection

XUTANG ZHIYU (1185–1269)

Calligraphy

Estimate

USD 6,000 - USD 8,000

Hanging scroll, ink on paper

9 5⁄8 x 19 1⁄8 in. (24.6 x 48.5 cm.)

Inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist

Dated jiayin year (1254)

詳細解釋

首句（罵詈瞿曇說脫空）：此句用「罵詈」表達出激烈的口誅筆伐之意，而「瞿曇」常用來指代佛陀。在此，作者針對某些人曲解或輕視佛法中“脫空”（即超越形相、解脫生死執著）的教義進行批判，暗示這種言論缺乏深刻理解，只停留在表面辯論，甚至帶有攻擊性。

次句（年來分外惡情悰）：隨著時間推移，這種誤解和激烈的情緒不斷累積，變得格外尖銳和惡劣。作者藉此表達對於因口舌之爭而滋生出的仇恨與爭鬥的不滿，認為這不僅偏離了佛法的真旨，也損害了正道。

第三句（吳山越水相逢著）：這裡以吳、越兩地作為意象，象徵不同背景或學派的人士。當各自帶著偏見、固執己見之心相遇時，難免爭執紛爭，互不相讓。作者暗示，當各派之見互相碰撞時，便容易引發無謂的爭鬥與互相攻擊。

末句（放出蟭螟咬大蟲）：用生動的比喻描繪出這種爭辯的荒謬——像是微不足道的小蟲去咬極為龐大或崇高的生物。這裡的“大蟲”可理解為佛法、真理或高深禪意，而“蟭螟”則代表那些以琐碎之詞攻擊真理的人。整句話強調：以微小的口舌之爭去批評、摧毀宏大深奧的佛法，既無意義也無法觸及其精髓。

虛堂智愚簡介

虛堂智愚（1185—1269），俗姓陳，號虛堂、息耕叟，是南宋臨濟宗楊岐派的重要禪僧。以下是他的主要特點與生平概述：

出身與出家：生於浙江象山，十六歲時在普明寺依師出家。後來先後遊學於雪竇、淨慈等名剎，廣泛吸取各家禪法。

法嗣與弘法：在金山遇運菴普巖後，獲得法嗣。其後歷任多寺住持，為宋理宗、度宗時期的重要禪師，深受時人尊崇，其教法影響深遠。

書法與偈語：虛堂智愚除了講法傳道外，亦擅長書法，留下不少充滿禪意的偈語。他的語言直接、尖銳，往往以幽默、譏諷的方式揭示禪法的真諦，並批判那些流於形式、言辭空洞的爭辯。

影響：他的偈語不僅反映出當時禪宗實踐中的種種現象，也對後來中日禪宗文化產生了重要影響。日本僧人曾從他那裡承傳法脈，使其成為日本臨濟宗中唯一現存的傳承線之一。

這首偈語藉由譏諷與比喻，批評那些以尖銳口吻詆毀佛法（特別是關於「脫空」之說）的現象，指出當人們沉溺於互相攻擊的小辯論時，最終只會像微小昆蟲般去啃噬偉大真理的外在殼，卻無法觸及其中的精髓。虛堂智愚正是以這種通俗而富有哲理的語言，勸誡世人超越表面爭執，回歸禪的本真與智慧。

虛堂智愚禪師詩偈常見問題解答

1. 虛堂智愚禪師此偈的核心批評是什麼？

虛堂智愚此偈的核心批評，是針對那些熱衷於攻擊性且流於表面的辯論，尤其是關於禪宗「脫空」概念的討論。他使用了「罵詈」這種激烈的詞彙，嚴厲譴責這類爭論，認為這些辯論不但誤入歧途，更滋生仇視與負面情緒。

2. 「年來分外惡情悰」這句話在偈中意涵為何？

此句意為：「這些年來，尤其滋長出一種激烈的仇恨情緒」。指出長期陷入於這種瑣碎而錯誤的佛理爭執，會導致苦澀與怨憤逐漸加劇，並進一步遠離真正的佛法精神，凸顯了口頭之爭所帶來的負面情緒傷害。

3. 偈中以「吳山越水」地區做為隱喻，其寓意何在？

「吳山越水相逢著」利用吳越兩地的地域象徵，代表立場、觀點或宗派背景不同的群體或個人。他們的相遇與對抗，正喻示固執己見的人們，在缺乏深層理解及和解意願的情況下，必然產生衝突與爭端。

4. 偈中「放出蟭螟咬大蟲」這個比喻的含義與重要性為何？

此生動的比喻，形容以微不足道的批評或爭辯（蟭螟，小昆蟲）去攻擊深邃博大的真理或原則（大蟲，指佛法或究竟真理），凸顯了此舉的荒謬與徒勞無益。比喻強調這種瑣碎的爭執，即便激烈，也無法真正損害或動搖更偉大的真理本質，反而顯得可笑而無效。

5. 虛堂智愚禪師是何人？他的觀點為何值得重視？

虛堂智愚禪師（1185–1269）是南宋臨濟宗的重要禪師，以直率犀利的教風著稱。他不僅是備受敬仰的禪師，亦為著名書法家，因此他的批評具有一定份量。他的教導特別強調直接體悟和實踐勝於空洞的言說，故他對膚淺爭論的譴責，尤其對禪宗修持極具現實意義。

6. 佛教中「脫空」這個概念指的是什麼？為何容易引起誤解與爭議？

「脫空」指的是佛教中超越一切執著、幻象與固執觀念，以達到解脫的境界，包含理解諸法空性（śūnyatā）之義。這個觀念容易被誤解為虛無主義或純粹的智識概念，導致人們容易陷入表面化、脫離體驗本質的討論，成為虛堂智愚所批評之膚淺辯論的來源。

7. 虛堂智愚禪師此偈如何反映了當時禪宗傳統中的普遍關切？

偈語體現了禪宗對於當時流行的智識化、空洞言論及宗派爭議的憂慮，認為這些現象會偏離真實的修持與體悟。禪宗特別重視直接體證、超越概念思維，因此那些陷入瑣碎爭論、助長仇視的辯論，在禪宗看來與修行的根本目的背道而馳。

8. 對當代讀者而言，虛堂智愚禪師此偈具有什麼永久的啟示？

此偈提供了一個永恆的提醒：避免陷入瑣碎爭執和充滿敵意的批評，尤其面對深邃的精神或哲學議題時。虛堂智愚鼓勵人們更重視真實的理解與實踐，而非流於表面的辯論，同時也警惕了因瑣碎爭論所產生的仇恨與分裂之害。蟭螟咬大蟲這個隱喻，更成為一個強烈的象徵，提醒後人莫以瑣碎異議妄圖撼動真理之深厚根基。

Original Verse

“Cursing the Buddha’s talk of ‘empty transcendence’,Over the years, an unusually fierce hatred has grown.People from Wu and Yue meet and clash,Like tiny insects gnawing on a huge beast.”

English Translation & Commentary

1. First Line (“Cursing the Buddha’s talk of ‘empty transcendence’”):The verse opens with a forceful denunciation. The speaker uses strong, almost curse-like language to criticize those who discuss the idea of “empty transcendence” (referring to the Buddhist concept of liberating oneself from all attachments and illusions) in a superficial or misguided way. It implies that such discourse is not only empty but also incites hostility.

2. Second Line (“Over the years, an unusually fierce hatred has grown”):This line indicates that with the passage of time, such petty disputes and harsh sentiments have accumulated. The bitterness and animosity, born out of these misinterpretations or trivial debates, have grown increasingly intense and destructive.

3. Third Line (“People from Wu and Yue meet and clash”):Here, “Wu” and “Yue” serve as symbolic references to different regions—or metaphorically, to distinct schools of thought or backgrounds. When individuals with such divergent perspectives come together, the inevitable result is discord and confrontation.

4. Fourth Line (“Like tiny insects gnawing on a huge beast”):This vivid metaphor illustrates the absurdity of the situation. It suggests that minor, trivial quarrels (represented by small insects) are being pitted against something vast and profound (symbolized by a huge beast, which can be understood as the deep, transcendent truth of the Buddha’s teaching). Such petty criticisms, no matter how persistent, can never diminish the grandeur of the truth.

   
   

About Xutang Zhiyu

Xutang Zhiyu (1185–1269), also known by his sobriquets “Xutang” and “Xigeing Sou” (in Chinese, 虛堂 and 息耕叟), was a prominent Chan (Zen) monk of the Linji (Rinzai) lineage during the Southern Song dynasty. Here are some key points about him:

• Early Life & Ordination:Born in Xiangshan (modern-day Zhejiang), he entered monastic life at the age of sixteen under Master Yun at Puming Temple. He later studied at renowned temples such as Xuedou and Jingci, immersing himself in various styles of Chan practice.

• Dharma Transmission & Leadership:Xutang Zhiyu received dharma transmission after encountering the teachings of Master Yun on Jinshan. He went on to serve as abbot at several temples, notably during the reigns of Emperor Lizong and Emperor Duzong. His leadership and teachings left a lasting impact on the Buddhist community of his time.

• Writings & Style:Renowned for his sharp and direct language, Xutang Zhiyu was also a gifted calligrapher. His verse (gatha) reflects his unorthodox yet penetrating approach to Chan, often using humor and biting criticism to expose superficiality. His style not only critiqued empty verbal disputes but also inspired a more genuine, experiential understanding of Zen.

• Legacy:Xutang Zhiyu’s teaching lineage eventually reached Japan, where it became the sole surviving line of dharma transmission in Japanese Rinzai Zen. His influence extended beyond monastic circles, impacting both the literary and artistic expressions of Zen, as evidenced by the enduring popularity of his calligraphy and verse.

This verse critiques the practice of engaging in trivial and hostile debates over the concept of “empty transcendence” in Buddhist thought. It warns that when minor disputes arise among people of differing views—like those symbolized by the regions of Wu and Yue—the result is as futile and absurd as tiny insects attacking a great beast. Xutang Zhiyu, the author, was a leading Chan monk whose uncompromising style and profound insight continue to resonate in Zen tradition today.

Frequently Asked Questions about Xutang Zhiyu's Verse

1. What is the central criticism conveyed in Xutang Zhiyu's verse?

The primary criticism in the verse targets those who engage in aggressive and superficial debates about the Buddhist concept of "empty transcendence" (脫空). Xutang Zhiyu uses harsh language ("罵詈," cursing) to denounce such discussions, suggesting they are not only misguided but also breed negativity and hostility.

2. What does the phrase "年來分外惡情悰" signify in the context of the verse?

This line, meaning "Over the years, an unusually fierce hatred has grown," highlights the escalating bitterness and animosity that arise from prolonged engagement in these petty and ill-informed disputes about Buddhist teachings. It underscores the detrimental emotional consequences of such verbal battles, suggesting they move further away from the true spirit of Dharma.

3. How are the regions of "吳山越水" (Wu and Yue) used metaphorically in the verse?

"吳山越水相逢著" (People from Wu and Yue meet and clash) employs the distinct geographical regions of Wu and Yue to symbolize individuals or groups with different backgrounds, perspectives, or schools of thought. Their meeting and clashing represent the inevitable discord and conflict that occur when people with entrenched views interact without a deeper understanding or willingness to reconcile differences.

4. Explain the meaning and significance of the metaphor "放出蟭螟咬大蟲" (Like tiny insects gnawing on a huge beast).

This vivid metaphor illustrates the absurdity and futility of attacking profound truths or principles (the "huge beast," representing Buddha's teachings or ultimate reality) with minor, insignificant criticisms or arguments (the "tiny insects"). It emphasizes that such petty disputes, no matter how vehement, cannot truly harm or diminish the essence of the greater truth, and the act itself is ridiculous and ineffective.

5. Who was Xutang Zhiyu, and why is his perspective on these issues significant?

Xutang Zhiyu (1185–1269) was a prominent Chan (Zen) monk of the Linji (Rinzai) lineage during the Southern Song dynasty. As a respected teacher and calligrapher known for his sharp and direct style, his critique carries weight. His teachings emphasized direct experience and understanding over empty rhetoric, making his condemnation of superficial debates particularly relevant to the practice of Chan.

6. What does the concept of "脫空" (empty transcendence) refer to in Buddhism, and why might it be a subject of misinterpretation or debate?

"脫空" refers to the Buddhist idea of transcending all attachments, illusions, and fixed notions to achieve liberation. It involves understanding the emptiness (śūnyatā) of inherent existence. This concept can be easily misinterpreted as nihilism or as a purely intellectual idea, leading to superficial discussions that miss its experiential and transformative essence, thus becoming fodder for the kind of debates Xutang Zhiyu criticizes.

7. How does Xutang Zhiyu's verse reflect broader concerns within the Chan (Zen) tradition of his time?

The verse reflects a concern within Chan Buddhism about the tendency towards intellectualism, empty verbalism, and sectarian disputes that can distract from genuine practice and insight. Chan emphasizes direct experience and the transcendence of conceptual thought, so debates that become mired in trivialities and fueled by animosity are seen as counterproductive to the core aims of the tradition.

8. What is the lasting legacy or message of Xutang Zhiyu's verse for contemporary readers?

The verse serves as a timeless reminder to avoid getting caught up in petty arguments and hostile criticisms, especially when dealing with profound spiritual or philosophical ideas. It encourages a focus on genuine understanding and practice over superficial debate and warns against the corrosive effects of bitterness and division. The metaphor of the insects and the beast remains a powerful image of the futility of attacking significant truths with trivial objections.