A Zen Story

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There was once a young man who wanted to gain enlightenment. He went out in search of the Buddha. After a long and arduous search, he found the Buddha meditating in a cave. The young man entered the cave, paid his respects and sat down very close to the Buddha. But the Buddha did nothing but smile, his eyes closed in meditation. The young man propounded question after question to the Buddha. But the Buddha made no answer. Instead, he continued to meditate and smile. The young man decided to sit down in meditation. Months passed. Years passed. In time, the young man gained tremendous powers but enlightenment was still beyond his grasp. All this time, the Buddha remained serenely smiling and in meditation. Nothing happened. Finally the young man stood up, approached the Buddha, took off his shoe and whacked the Buddha on the head. He went out of the cave and in time, gained enlightenment. He left the Buddha sprawled on the floor of the cave, dazed and wondering what had just happened.