Everyday Mind is the Way
Mazu Daoyi was practicing diligently.
His teacher, Nanyue Huairang, went to him and saw him sitting in meditation.
Nanyue asked,
"
Virtuous one, what are you trying to achieve by sitting in meditation?"
Mazu replied,
"I am trying to become a Buddha."
Nanyue then picked up a tile and began to grind it against a stone in front of the hermitage.
Mazu asked,
"What are you doing, Master?"
Nanyue said,
"I am polishing this tile to make a mirror."
Mazu said,
"How can you make a mirror by polishing a tile?"
Nanyue replied,
"How can you become a Buddha by sitting in meditation?"
Reflection
Breathe and let the story settle.