A monk asked Ts'ao-shan, "What is the most precious thing in the world?"
He answered, "It is the skull of a dead cat on the ground."
The monk was surprised by this answer and again asked, "Why is the skull of a dead cat the most precious thing?"
Ts'ao-shan said, "It is beyond any value and price."
Commentary
In the preface to Case 2 of the Book of Serenity, Hongzhi Zhengjue wrote:
The "way-seeking mind" can wander forever in search of something special. Fortunately, keen-eyed teachers occasionally appear to pull us out of the weeds. Unfortunately, we usually resist these efforts.A man presented a jewel three times, but didn't escape punishment. When a luminous jewel is thrown to anyone, few do not draw their sword. For an impromptu guest, there is no impromptu host; what's appropriate provisionally is not appropriate for the real. If unusual treasures and rare jewels cannot be put to use, I'll bring out the head of a dead cat - look!
Kong-an source: November/December 2009 Water Wheel (newsletter of Zen Center of Los Angeles)
Photo by Sydney Wired
