撫州曹山元證禪師語錄 1.85

1.85

There are some that come from within the correct rank, which is having words within no-words. Discriminating rank by rank, it is said: “That which comes from within the correct rank does not integrate conditions. As Yaoshan said: ‘I have a phrase that has never been spoken to anyone.’ Daowu said: ‘It has followed along.’ This was his subtle understanding, like the words of the Hunan Surveillance Commissioner. Cases like this are very numerous; one must bring them forth in harmony and must not confound the noble and the base, calling it having words within no-words.” Another discrimination says: “For that which comes from within the correct rank, phrase by phrase there are no words; it does not establish nobility, nor does it fall to left or right. Thus it is said, ‘Coming from within the correct.’ Further, citing examples of words coming from within the correct: like ‘How is it when the black bean has not yet sprouted?’ Again citing, ‘A phrase that has never been spoken to anyone’; again as in saying, ‘There is a person who has neither exhalation nor inhalation’; and again saying, ‘Before possessing the womb, are there any words or phrases, or not?’ Such cases are also many, termed having words within no-words.” In a discrimination made on another occasion, it was said: “Coming [from] the correct rank clarifies that the correct rank does not involve conditions; there is also coming from within the correct rank, having words within no-words, as in saying: ‘When the black bean has not yet sprouted, that is the place where the Buddhas of the ten directions make their appearance.’ Again: ‘I have a phrase that has never been spoken to anyone.’ For this phrase, the answering master must bring it forth according to [the principle] and must not be contrary; if contrary, then it is because one does not know the existence of It.”