Parable: Grinding a Large Stone
Hundred Parables Sutra
Parable: Grinding a Large Stone
One time a man carved a large stone with great effort. After chipping away at it for days and months, he succeeded in making a small toy cow from the stone. When compared to the strenuous effort that was put into it, the result was trivial.
People of the world are like this, too. Carving the large stone is analogous to diligently pursuing learning. Making the small toy cow is analogous to people mutually deprecating each other because of their wish for fame and recognition. A scholar should intently investigate his learning so that he acquires subtle and all-encompassing knowledge. Furthermore, he should put his learning into practice in order to seek a sublime result. He should not seek fame and in the process become arrogant and haughty. This will only increase his faults and offenses.
