Chopping Wood & Carrying Water

Anecdotes

oi-Staff

By Staff

Monday, September 14, 2009, 17:46

Bokuju, a great Zen master was once asked, "What did you do before getting enlightened?"

The master replied, "I was chopping wood and carrying water for my master"

"What do you do now?", asked the questioner.

Bokuju replied, "I chop wood and carry water for myself"

The questioner queried, "So what is the difference?, you did this before and you are doing the same now"

Bokuju answered, "Earlier I was doing it unconsciously, now I am doing it consciously"