28The Dharma Never Preached
南泉參百丈涅槃和尚。丈問：「從上諸聖，還有不為人說底法麼？」泉云：「有。」丈云：「作麼生是不為人說底法？」泉云：「不是心，不是佛，不是物。」丈云：「說了也。」泉云：「某甲只恁麼，和尚作麼生？」丈云：「我又不是大善知識，爭知有說不說？」泉云：「某甲不會。」丈云：「我太殺為爾說了也。」
Nanquan went to study with Baizhang of Mount Nirvana.
Baizhang asked, "Of all the sages down the ages, is there a teaching none of them ever preached to anyone?"
"There is," Nanquan said.
"What is this teaching nobody ever preached?"
"Not mind, not Buddha, not a thing."
"You just preached it," Baizhang said.
"That's the best I can do. What about you?"
"I'm no great teacher," said Baizhang. "How would I know what's been preached and what hasn't?"
"I don't follow," Nanquan said.
"There. I've already said far too much for you."
Verse 頌
祖佛從來不為人，
衲僧今古競頭走。
明鏡當臺列像殊，
一一面南看北斗。
斗柄垂，
無處討，
拈得鼻孔失却口。
The buddhas and ancestors never preached a word,
yet monks past and present race to lay hold of it.
A bright mirror on its stand throws back every shape;
each one faces south to look for the North Star.
The Dipper's handle hangs down—
nowhere to search.
Grab the nose and you lose the mouth.