The World-Honoured One’s enlightenment (1) – Zen Fools

The World-Honoured One saw the morning star and attained enlightenment.
He stated:
“Through the star, I got enlightened,
But upon attaining enlightenment,
I saw it was not truly a star.
I do not follow after things,
Nor am I without denying them.”

Student: “What did the Buddha realise upon attaining enlightenment?” Master: “It was there even before the star came into existence.”

Commentary:
Enlightenment is to see what we, while facing it all the time, have missed so far.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway