The emperor, who was a devout Buddhist, invited a great Zen master to the
Palace in order to ask him questions about Buddhism. "What is the highest
truth of the holy Buddhist doctrine?" the emperor inquired.
"Vast emptiness... and not a trace of holiness," the master replied.
"If there is no holiness," the emperor said, "then who or what
are you?"
"I do not know," the master replied.