What is enlightenment?

There is an old monk who lived on the top of the mountain for many years. The scenery around the mountain is very poetic, with a winding stream. One day, there is a scholar heard that the monk had attained enlightenment. The scholar decided to visit the monk.

“When the scholar arrived at the temple, he saw the old monk chopping wood. He then asked:
Sir, I heard that you have attained enlightenment, so please tell us what you did before you became enlightened.”

The old monk smiled and replied: “I carry water, chop wood and meditate.”

“Oh, so after being enlightened, what do you do?”

The monk smiles:

“I still carry water, chop wood and meditate.”

The scholar was astounded: “So what is the difference here?”

“That was before when I was not enlightened, when I meditated I thought about carrying the water, when carrying the water I thought about cutting wood, and when I was cutting wood I thought of sitting meditation. Now, when I meditate, I know of meditation, when carrying water, I just think about paying attention, and when chopping wood, I enjoy the joy of splitting wood.”

 

 

 

 


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