Summary: Talk given by Ted O'Toole. THE CASE A monk asked Nan-ch'uan, "Is there a fundamental truth that has never been expounded for people?" Nan-ch'uan said, "There is." The monk said, "What is the fundamental truth that has never been expounded for people?" Nan-ch'uan said, "It is not mind; it is not Buddha; it is not beings." WU-MEN'S COMMENT At the question, Nan-ch'uan used up all his personal treasure immediately and became quite debilitated. WU-MEN'S VERSE Scrupulous care dissipates your virtue; no-words truly have an effect; though the great ocean becomes a field, it cannot be communicated to you.
