Buddhahood means being enlightened to the truth of the non-arising of wisdom and vexation. People think that when one attains enlightenment, vexation is eliminated and wisdom gained. In fact, after thorough enlightenment, neither wisdom nor vexation remains. When there is no vexation, there is no wisdom; it is when one still has vexations that wisdom exists.

"Non-arising" does not mean that sentient beings, the environment and Buddhas do not exist. Everything exists and is in motion, but there is no true self evident in such things. If there was no self, then how could one become a Buddha? If wisdom and Buddhahood really exist and can be attained, then must not there be a self involved? The truth is, the self is illusory, and wisdom and Buddhahood exist only as long as one clings to an idea of self. Once the self disappears, there is no wisdom or any attainment. However, for sentient beings who are not yet enlightened, wisdom does exist and Buddhas do help save sentient beings.

Are you practicing to attain enlightenment or to achieve Buddhahood? Do you wonder when you will get enlightened? If you want answers to these questions, you may as well ask a wooden puppet. Why ask a puppet when you can ask a master, a Bodhisattva or a Buddha? The reason is simple. You will not get an answer no matter whom you ask. The sutras say it takes three great kalpas to attain Buddhahood. Yung-chia does not mention any time limit. In fact, whether you ask a wooden puppet or wait three great kalpas does not matter. A kalpa is an unimaginably long time. A person who is satisfied with the answer from the sutras and decides to wait three great kalpas in hopes of turning into a Buddha would probably be foolish enough to seek the advice of a wooden puppet.