There was once a small group of monks who lived together, following the dharma, and every year they were visited by their abbot.  He would examine each one, correct their practice, and give them instruction and encouragement. “Life is very fleeting,” he would say. “Do not waste it! Seize this opportunity, accomplish all you can!” Then he would leave.  Each time, as he departed, he told the group that until he returned, they should follow the advice of their fellow monk Clear-Heart.

One year, though, since the wheel of time cannot be halted, Clear-Heart became ill.  The monks did what they could to care for him, but it was evident that he would not survive. As his final moments approached, one of the monks asked Clear-Heart what he had accomplished in his life.  Summoning his remaining strength, Clear-Heart said, “Nothing,” and passed away.

The monks buried the body, and as Clear-Heart himself had said he had accomplished nothing, they did not bother to mark his grave.

Some time later, the abbot returned, and hearing what had happened, he asked to be shown the resting place of Clear-Heart, but the monks had difficulty finding it.  “Why is this?” the abbot asked, and they explained that they had paid no special attention to the grave since Clear-Heart had told them he had accomplished nothing in his life.

Hearing this, the abbot’s eyes filled with tears. “I knew he was advancing,” he said, “but I did not know he had gone so far!”

The monks looked confused.

“Clear-Heart reached the stage of nothingness,” the abbot explained, and he ordered the monks to mark the grave well so that pilgrims might be able to come and pay their reverence.