A young man sought out a wise teacher deep in the mountains and asked his advise.
"Master," the young man asked, "which day of your life is the most important? Is it the day of your birth, or is it the day of your death? Is it the day you begin to study the Dharma or the day of your enlightenment?"
The teacher immediately answered, "None of those days. The most important day of your life is today."
"Why is that?" the young man asked. "Do you mean to say something Earth-shattering has happened today?"
"Nothing has happened today," the teacher answered.
"Then why do you say today is so important?"
"Because today is the only day we have," the teacher answered. "Yesterday, however worthy of recall, is likened to a boat that has sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Tomorrow, however glorious, has not yet arrived. Today, however ordinary, is within our grasp."
The young man wished to continue asking questions but the old teacher stopped him, saying, "In discussing its importance we have already wasted our today!"
The young man, as if something wonderful had suddenly occurred to him, bowed to the teacher and flew down the mountain as fast as his feet could carry him.
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