撫州曹山本寂禪師語錄 1.26

1.26

The paper-robe practitioner came to call on him. The Master asked, "Are you not the paper-robe practitioner?" He said, "I would not dare [claim so]." The Master said, "What is the matter under the paper robe?" The practitioner said, "As soon as a single robe is hung upon the body, the ten thousand dharmas are all as such." The Master said, "What is the function under the paper robe?" The practitioner came forward, gave an assent, and immediately shed his body while standing. The Master said, "You only understand how to go like this; why do you not understand how to come like this?" The practitioner suddenly opened his eyes and asked, "When the one numinous true nature does not rely on the womb, how is it?" The Master said, "That is not yet wondrous." The practitioner said, "What is wondrous?" The Master said, "Not borrowing borrowing." The practitioner took care and immediately passed away. The Master gave a verse, saying: / "The awakened nature is completely bright, a body without marks; / do not use understanding to falsely make it distant or intimate. / When a thought differs, one is immediately dark to the mysterious essence; / when the mind errs, it is not a neighbor to the Way. / Sentiments divide the ten thousand dharmas, sinking into external objects; / cognitive discernment has many facets, losing the original true nature. / If one fully understands within such phrases, / one is clearly a person of former times, with nothing to do."