There was once upon a time a certain monk who had become the abbot of a monastery, and his reputation as a spiritual person had begun to spread. Many people were drawn to him, seeking guidance and inspiration. These were given work to do, and from time to time the abbot would meet with them, and answer their questions.
One day one such person came to the abbot, a man who had not been there very long and who seemed to be very impatient. “Your holiness,” he said, “your reputation as a clear light is known throughout this land. I came here to gain at least a few drops of your wisdom. But since I have come to the monastery, I have dug in the garden, chopped wood, and shovelled manure. These things I can do at home. When will you grant me a glimpse of the higher teachings?”
The abbot gazed at the man for a moment, and then said, “Let us listen to a story. There was once upon a time a man who, though ignorant, had become wealthy, and he happened to visit the home of another rich man. It was a large and very impressive house, with three storeys, and the owner of the house invited this man up to the terrace of the third floor, where they sat and drank tea and admired the view.
“After he left, this rich man thought, ‘I should have such a house myself!’ And so he looked for a carpenter. When he found one, he asked him if he could build a house like the other man had. ‘I built that house myself,’ said the carpenter.
“‘Very good,’ said the rich man. ‘Now you will build such a house for me!’
“Then the carpenter set to work, but to the surprise of the rich man, he began by digging down into the earth. Then after a long time of digging earth and laying stones and levelling, he at last began to lay out timbers – but on the ground, not reaching up into the sky. It was the first floor of the house.
“Finally, one day the ignorant rich man lost all patience, and came to the carpenter, and said, ‘You are wasting time and money! These details are unimportant! You should start with the important part, the third floor! Where is my terrace?”
The abbot looked with compassion at the man before him, and said, “What could the carpenter tell that man? The third floor must have a firm foundation, and two floors below on which to rest. No carpenter can promise otherwise.”
With a silent bow, the man rose and returned to his duties in the garden. Whether he someday reached the third floor of his own house has not been recorded.