撫州曹山本寂禪師語錄 2.43

2.43

I said, "The patriarchs and buddhas do not know existence; tawny cats and white oxen, however, know existence." A monk said, "Why is it that tawny cats and white oxen know existence?" The Master said, "Simply because they have completely no understanding." The monk said, "As for the patriarchs and buddhas, why do they not know existence?" The Master said, "A patriarch clings to the seal; a buddha has resemblance." The monk said, "As for tawny cats and white oxen, what is it that they know exists?" The Master said, "They only know the existence of tawny cats and white oxen." The monk said, "What is the matter that tawny cats and white oxen know exists?" The Master said, "It does not come from east or west; it does not come from the thirty-two marks."