佛祖統紀 37.21

37.21

In the first year of the Datong reign era (which was the first year of the Wutai era of Xiaoming of the Northern Wei; previous records saying 'Putong' are mistaken), Bodhidharma of South India sailed across the sea and arrived at Guangzhou. He was summoned by decree to an audience with the Emperor. The Emperor asked: 'What is the highest truth of the holy truths?' (Yuanwu’s *Blue Cliff Record* states: 'Emperor Wu debated the two truths with Dharma Master Lou Yue and Crown Prince Zhaoming, establishing the ultimate truth to clarify non-existence, and the conventional truth to clarify non-nonexistence. The non-duality of ultimate and conventional is the highest truth of the holy truths.') The Master replied: 'Vast emptiness, nothing holy.' (Yuanwu states: 'Bodhidharma severed it with a single stroke of the blade.') The Emperor said: 'Who is facing Us?' (Yuanwu states: 'The Emperor did not realize, and instead formed a view of self and other.') The Master replied: 'I do not know.' (Yuanwu states: 'Bodhidharma’s compassion was excessive.') The Emperor did not connect with him. (Yuanwu states: 'The Emperor did not know where it landed.') The Master thereupon crossed the river and entered Wei. (Yuanwu states: 'Later people transmitted that he crossed the river on a reed, but the origin of this is not clear.') The Emperor proceeded to Tongtai Monastery and renounced his body; the ministers ransomed him with one hundred million coins, and the Emperor returned to the palace.