The next day Pai-chang obeyed the old man's wishes and went behind the mountain. In a cave he found the body of the fox, which he cremated.

This story is also legendary, but it serves a good purpose. Many people misunderstood the story of Bodhidharma and the Emperor, and suffered and caused suffering because of their misconception. Hence, the story of Master Pai-chang and the fox was created.

The Ch'an sect does not speak of process or progress. It does not take the causal position. It speaks only from the result, or consequence, position, so it always uses the negative approach instead of the affirmative approach; that is, it aims to break up any and all attachments. Ch'an does not want the individual to rely on or embrace anything.

Master Lin-chi (d. 866/67) once commented that all the Buddhas of the past, present and future were simple fools, and he had similar comments for bodhisattvas and arhats. The idea is that there really are no Buddhas, bodhisattvas or arhats, but this is the standpoint of a completely enlightened being. For ordinary sentient beings, there truly are Buddhas, bodhisattvas and arhats. If people take Lin-chi's words at face value, they may believe that the Buddha didn't exist, that all of his teachings are garbage, and that there is no purpose in practicing. If it is your idea that it is okay to remain a sentient being without attempting to practice, you would be rebuked by a master. On the other hand, if you are over-awed and intimidated by the teachings of Buddhadharma, then you would also be scolded by a master. As I said, Ch'an often speaks from the ultimate position. These are the realizations and attainments of completely enlightened beings. They are aspirations to admire, not fear.