Polishing a Tile

When Nanyue visited his hut, Mazu stood up.

Nanyue said, "What have you been doing these days?"

Mazu said, "I have been just sitting."

Nanyue said, "What is your intention in just sitting?"

Mazu said, "I intend to become a buddha."

Then Nanyue picked up a tile and started polishing it on a stone near Mazu's hut.



Mazu said, "Master, what are you doing?"

Nanyue said, "Polishing a tile."

Mazu said, "Why are you polishing a tile?"

Nanyue said, "I am trying to make a mirror."

Mazu said, "How can you polish a tile and make a mirror?"

Nanyue said, "How can you do zazen and become a buddha?"

                                                                          ---Master Dogen---