Zhenjing's "Ancient Mirror"
A monk asked master Zhenjing, "
Before the ancient mirror was polished, what was it like?" Zhenjing replied,
"The ancient mirror." The monk then asked,
"After it is polished, what is it like?" Zhenjing said again, "The ancient mirror."
Reflection
Zhenjing's 'ancient mirror' koan – giving the same answer before and after polishing – illustrates that fundamental nature remains unchanged whether obscured or clarified. The mirror does not become something else when polished; it simply reveals what was always there. Our true nature is likewise not created by practice but uncovered by it.