When a monastic asked Master Jangsa, “Does the original man become the Buddha?” the master said, “Tell me. Does an emperor sow seeds and harvest rice himself?” The monastic said, “Well, who becomes the Buddha then?” The master said, “You do.” The monastic didn’t respond, and the master asked him, “Do you understand?” The monastic said, “No, I don’t know.” The master said, “The one who fell on the ground has to get up on his feet depending on the ground, but the ground never says anything to him.”
Student: “Why does the monastic become the Buddha?”
Master: “Because he is still the original man’s servant.”
Commentary:
That a servant who is unaware of his owner turns out to be the owner is enlightenment.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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