弘明集 9.18

9.18

答曰。神之於質猶利之於刀。形之於用猶刀之於利。利之名非刀也。刀之名非利也。然而捨利無刀捨刀無利。未聞刀沒而利存。豈容形亡而神在也。

Answer: The relation of the spirit to material substance is like that of sharpness to a blade; the relation of corporeal form to function is like that of a blade to sharpness. The name 'sharpness' is not 'blade', and the name 'blade' is not 'sharpness'. Nevertheless, apart from sharpness there is no blade, and apart from a blade there is no sharpness. One has never heard of a blade perishing while its sharpness remains; how could one allow that the corporeal form perishes while the spirit persists?