“Master, will I ever
become enlightened?” asked a student. “Perhaps, why do you ask?” said the
master. “I ask because sometimes I get a little discouraged” replied the
student. The master then said, “If I ask you to walk from here to Ghangzhou,
can you say with absolute certainty that you will reach it?” The student said,
“Not with absolute certainty Master, something could happen on my journey.”
“This is true, but if you really wanted to reach Ghangzhou, would you keep
walking in that direction despite the uncertainty?” asked the master. “Yes”
replied the student. “Well then”, said the master “It would be best if you keep
practicing even if you do not attain enlightenment, for any practice you
perform will bring you that much closer.”
