A Buddha Before History
A monk asked Seijo: `I understand that a Buddha who lived before
recorded history sat in meditation for ten cycles of existence and
could not realize the highest truth, and so could not become fully
emancipated. Why was this so?'
Seijo replied: `Your question is self-explanatory.'
The monk asked: `Since the Buddha was meditating, why could he not
fulfill Buddhahood?'
Seijo said: `He was not a Buddha.'
Mumon's Comment: I will allow his realization, but I will not
admit his understanding. When one ignorant attains realization he is
a saint. When a saint begins to understand he is an ignorant.
It is better to realize mind than body.
When the mind is realized one need not worry about body.
When mind and body become one
The man is free. Then he desires no praising.
A Zen koan from the classic collection The Gateless Gate.
Original transcription by Ben Walter and Adam Fuller of iBiblio.
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