9. A Buddha Before History

A monk asked Seijo:
  "I understand that a Buddha who lived before recorded history
   sat in meditation for ten cycles of existence and could not realize
   the highest truth, and so could not become fully emancipated.
   Why was this so ?"

Seijo replied:
  "Your question is self-explanatory."

The monk asked:
  "Since the Buddha was meditation,
   why could he not fullfill Buddhahood ?"

Seijo said:
  "He was not a Buddha."

Mumon's Comment:

I will allow his realization, but I will not admit his understanding. When one ignorant attains realization he is a saint. When a saint begins to understand he is an ignorant.

    It is better to realize mind than body.
    When the mind is realized one need not worry about body.
    When mind and body become one.
    The man is free. Then he desires no praising.