(no subject)
Ma'tsu was living as an ascetic and practicing meditation. Master Huai Jang asked, "What are you doing?"
Ma'tsu replied, "Trying to be a Buddha."
Huai Jang picked up a stone and began rubbing it.
"What are you doing?" asked Ma'tsu.
Huai Jang replied, "I am trying to make a mirror."
Ma'tsu said, "No amount of polishing will make a stone a mirror."
Huai Jang said, "No amount of meditation will make you a Buddha."
Ma'tsu replied, "Trying to be a Buddha."
Huai Jang picked up a stone and began rubbing it.
"What are you doing?" asked Ma'tsu.
Huai Jang replied, "I am trying to make a mirror."
Ma'tsu said, "No amount of polishing will make a stone a mirror."
Huai Jang said, "No amount of meditation will make you a Buddha."