A monk asked Master Jangsa, “They say that all karma is empty in essence when we see it after enlightenment but that we have to repay our old debt when we are not enlightened. Was the second Patriarch Huike enlightened or not?” Master Jangsa answered, “Empty.”
Student: “I don’t understand the master’s answer. Was he enlightened or not?”
Master: “Not enlightened.”
Student: “He is one of Patriarchs. Why wasn’t he enlightened?”
Master: “Because you are not enlightened.”
Commentary:
Even the Buddha is not enlightened until you get enlightened.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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