撫州曹山元證禪師語錄 1.40

1.40

A monk asked, "Receiving the teaching, it is said: 'The great ocean does not harbor a dead corpse.' What is the ocean?" The Master said, "It encompasses the myriad beings." The monk said, "Why does it not harbor a dead corpse?" The Master said, "Those whose breath has ceased do not adhere." The monk said, "Since it encompasses the myriad beings, why do those whose breath has ceased not adhere?" The Master said, "The myriad beings are not its achievement; the cessation of breath possesses its virtue." The monk said, "Is there still a higher matter or not?" The Master said, "Saying there is or saying there is not may be acceptable, but what can you do about the Dragon King resting his hand on his sword?"