撫州曹山元證禪師語錄 1.16

1.16

A monk cited: "Grand Master Lu Geng asked Nanquan, 'What is your surname?' Nanquan said, 'My surname is Wang [King].' Lu said, 'Does the King still have a family?' Nanquan said, 'The four ministers are not dimmed.' Lu said, 'In what rank does the King dwell?' Nanquan said, 'Moss grows in the jade palace.'" [The monk] asked the Master, "What is the meaning of 'Moss grows in the jade palace'?" The Master said, "He does not dwell in the correct rank." The monk said, "What happens when the eight directions come to pay homage?" The Master said, "He does not accept their courtesy." The monk said, "What is the use of coming to pay homage?" The Master said, "If they disobey, they are beheaded." The monk said, "Disobedience belongs to the vassal's position; I do not know what the lord's intention is?" The Master said, "The Privy Council does not receive his decree." The monk said, "If so, then the merit of harmonizing governance entirely returns to the minister-vassal." The Master said, "Do you still know the lord's intention?" The monk said, "From outside, I dare not reckon it." The Master said, "So it is, so it is."