Life After Enlightenment

Zen Master Doeung was crossing a stream with his teacher, Master Dongshan.
As they rolled up their robes and waded through the water, Dongshan asked his disciple:

“Child, how deep is the water?”

Doeung replied:

“It does not get wet.”

Dongshan responded:

“You are truly coarse.”

Doeung retorted:

“Then please, Master, tell me your answer.”

Dongshan said:

“It does not dry.”

How Deep is the Water?

Dongshan’s question was more than literal. He was asking whether Doeung had allowed himself to be ensnared by the world as they navigated its depths.

Doeung replied with confidence:

“It does not get wet.”

This answer reflects the mindset of one who has attained enlightenment.
It implies that his true essence remains untouched by the emotional currents and demands of the world.
In other words, Doeung was declaring, “I remain steadfast in the realm of essence, unaffected by the entanglements of worldly concerns.”

A Lesson in Compassion

Dongshan responded, “You are truly coarse.”

This was a critique of Doeung’s lack of compassion.
While Doeung focused on remaining untouched by the world, he failed to consider his responsibility to engage with and uplift those still immersed in worldly struggles.

When Doeung challenged him, Dongshan replied:

“It does not dry.”

Notice how Dongshan’s answer shifts the focus away from himself. His response was directed toward the suffering of others:

“The world does not dry.”

In other words, even while existing in this world, he was committed to alleviating its suffering.

The Transformation After Enlightenment

Life changes profoundly after enlightenment. Those who attain it find their lives drastically transformed.
You may also experience a radical shift in your life after enlightenment. From that moment, you no longer live for yourself but for others—for the world.

Enlightenment leads to a life of co-creation with all beings, a life that acts in harmony with the world while also transforming it.