A. If you know what Buddha is, it means that you have already attained enlightenment. Then, you need not pray to Him for enlightenment any longer. If you are not enlightened, it means that you don’t know what Buddha is. Then, how would you pray to Him while not knowing what or who he is and where he is? If you want to pray to Him for your enlightenment, do your best to realise what He is before you pray. That is Zen meditation.
Student: “Shall I pray to Buddha for my enlightenment?”
Master: “Not bad. Tell me where He is. I also hope to pray to Him.”
Student: “I don’t know where He is.”
Master: “What nonsense! How can you pray to Him while not knowing where He is?”
Student: “What shall I do, Sir?”
Master: “Why are you, ‘King’, going to make yourself a beggar?”
©Boo Ahm
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