There was an old woman who kept the pilgrim’s inn under Mount Fuji. One day she went to hear a long talk by the master Hakuin, which ended with the question: “When you are looking for the Buddha of infinite light in your own body, how would you recognize it?”
The woman, thinking this wasn’t so hard, went back home and meditated day and night. One day, as she was washing a pot, she had a breakthrough. She rushed to see Hakuin.
“I’ve met him, the Buddha, shining with a great light. It’s wonderful!” and she danced for joy.
“Really,” said Hakuin. “What about a pit of shit. Does it shine with a great light?”
The old woman ran up and slapped him. “You still don’t get it, do you?”
Hakuin roared with laughter.
The woman, thinking this wasn’t so hard, went back home and meditated day and night. One day, as she was washing a pot, she had a breakthrough. She rushed to see Hakuin.
“I’ve met him, the Buddha, shining with a great light. It’s wonderful!” and she danced for joy.
“Really,” said Hakuin. “What about a pit of shit. Does it shine with a great light?”
The old woman ran up and slapped him. “You still don’t get it, do you?”
Hakuin roared with laughter.
ZEN MONDO
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