In other religions and philosophies, you do not find a solution to this puzzle ─ only in Buddhism: Nothingness is true existence.

Although the circle in this picture is empty, it would be better if there were no circle at all. Making the circle implies that something is still there ─ a great unity. In Ch'an there are instances where a disciple asks a question, and a Ch'an master makes a form of a circle, and then erases it. In doing so the master emphasizes that there is no absoluteness. If you have a circle, then attachment still exists, and that is not true enlightenment.

In the seventh picture, there is nothing left for the person to do. Now, in the eighth picture, not only is there nothing for the ox herder to do, there isn't even an ox herder.

One could say that such a person has reached the highest level attainable in terms of eliminating vexations and achieving wisdom. In terms of wisdom, this stage and the stage of Buddhahood are the same.

The Ch'an sect often speaks of two types of wisdom. One is "root wisdom, " or "fundamental wisdom, " which eliminates the source of all personal vexations. At the same time, the Buddha has another kind of wisdom, called "acquired wisdom, " which is wisdom that is used to help sentient beings.