撫州曹山本寂禪師語錄 2.21

2.21

Some come from within the correct rank, which is speech within speechlessness. (Those coming from within the correct do not integrate conditions. As Yaoshan said, "I have a sentence that I have never spoken to anyone." Daowu said, "It has come along in company; this is his marvelous comprehension." Such as the words of the Surveillance Commissioner of Hunan. Examples like this are very numerous; the matter must come forth in accord [with it], and one must not confuse the noble and base; it is called speech within speechlessness. Furthermore, regarding "I have a sentence that I have never spoken to anyone": in this, the respondent must come forth without clashing; if there is clashing, then one does not know existence. In sentence after sentence, speechlessness does not establish nobility and does not fall to left or right; therefore it is said, "Coming from within the correct." Coming from the correct rank clarifies that the correct rank does not involve conditions. Another citation of exemplary words: as in "Before the black soybean sprouts, how is it?" Also as in, "There is a person who has no out-breath or in-breath." Also as in, "Before possessing the womb, are there words or not? The place where the Buddhas of the ten directions appear." Examples of this kind are called speech within speechlessness. Further, there is borrowing phenomena to come from within the correct rank; in this single rank, the respondent must clarify its substance and objects within the biased rank, and must not enter the correct rank to clarify it. This sentence must be understood. As when the late master asked a Silla monk, "Before crossing the sea, where were you?" There was no reply. He spoke for him: "Just now you have crossed the sea; where are you?" Also, as when the late master spoke for Elder Shenwei on bringing out the staff: "Now it has been brought out; is there anyone who can distinguish it?" Although examples of this kind are recognized within conditions, unlike [those that go] further, they cannot be distinguished, for fear that later people will take and drop into merits and achievements, regarding them as matters of transcendence. As when scholars select the question on the Patriarch's intent, and the answer: "Wait until the castrated ox gives birth to a calf, then I will tell you," saying, "This is coming from within the correct rank." Sentences of this example strictly must not be called coming from within the correct rank; one may say that in the path of mysterious learning, question and answer are both like this—it is another distinct path. Nor may it be called mutual integration, because it is obvious. Even if host and guest interchange, it can only be called integration with illness.)