Sun-Faced Buddhas, Moon-Faced Buddhas

Baso, the great teacher, was ill. A disciple visited him and asked, "Sir, during these recent days, how is your health?" Baso replied, "Sun-faced Buddhas, moon-faced Buddhas."

According to one sutra, the Sun-Faced Buddha's life span was 1,800 years, and the Moon-Faced Buddha's life span was one day and one night. Baso answered, in effect, "I may live 1,800 years or I may live only one day and night. Neither prospect concerns me. I am here; I am living." Zen's concern is the living now, not the life of yesterday or the life of the future. Baso does not talk about life - he lives it.