Buddha-nature

A monk said to Seppo, “I understand that a person in the stage of a Cravaka sees his Buddha-nature as he sees the moon at night, and a person in the stage of Bodhisattva sees his Buddha-nature as he sees the sun at day. Tell me how you see your own Buddha-nature?” In answer, Seppo struck the monk three times with his stick. The monk went to another teacher, Ganto, and asked the same question. Ganto slapped him three times.

COMMENT: A Cravaka is characterized as interested only in his own enlightenment. His seeing of Buddha-nature is like seeing the moon at night; it is, more often than not, a reflection. The Bodhisattva is interested in and concerned with all beings. He sees Buddha-nature in all things, just as when the sun shines, its light falls impartially on all. But the monk was an idler, asking someone else how they see their Buddha-nature instead of trying to see his own. It is only natural to give him three blows in hope of awakening him. Zen masters in the past often hit their students.