A student shared an old Indian tale with Zen Master Dae Kwan.
A laundry worker used to take his donkey every morning to collect clothing from houses for washing in the river and return them in the afternoon. One day, as usual, he went to the river with the donkey and unloaded the clothing for washing. But he forgot to bring a rope. He was worried: if I don't have a rope to tie the donkey to the tree, it may escape while I wash the clothing. A wise man who happened to be around said: "it's so simple; you pretend you are holding a rope, take the donkey to the tree, and pretend to tie it round its neck." He did as advised, and the donkey obligingly stayed there without moving. After finishing washing, he loaded the washed clothing onto the donkey and was about to return home. But the donkey would not move away, even when pushed and dragged. Fortunately, the wise man was still around and said: "it's so simple; you pretend to untie the imaginary rope round the donkey's neck from the tree." The laundry-man did as advised and behold, the donkey started moving back home!
Student : Have we also tied an imaginary rope around our neck?
Sifu: If you have mind, all kinds of rope will tie you. If you have no mind, you attain true freedom from life and death. Which one do you like?
Student heard and understood Sifu's teaching and bowed sincerely to Sifu.
Commentary:
Don’t make cause and effect, then you will wake up and become Buddha.