THE NUN CHIYONO STUDIED FOR YEARS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND ENLIGHTENMENT.
ONE NIGHT, SHE WAS CARRYING AN OLD PAIL FILLED WITH WATER. AS SHE WAS WALKING
ALONG, SHE WAS WATCHING THE FULL MOON REFLECTED IN THE PAIL OF WATER.
SUDDENLY, THE BAMBOO STRIPS THAT HELD THE PAIL TOGETHER BROKE, AND THE PAIL
FELL APART. THE WATER RUSHED OUT; THE MOON’S REFLECTION DISAPPEARED – AND
CHIYONO BECAME ENLIGHTENED.
SHE WROTE THIS VERSE:
“THIS WAY AND THAT WAY I TRIED TO KEEP THE PAIL TOGETHER, HOPING THE WEAK
BAMBOO WOULD NEVER BREAK.
SUDDENLY THE BOTTOM FELL OUT. NO MORE WATER; NO MORE MOON IN THE WATER –
EMPTINESS IN MY HAND.”
