Buddhas go on being Buddha

Excerpt from the book, The Flatbed Sutra of Louie Wing: Second Ancestor of Zen in the West by Ted Biringer

The First Ancestor said, "When Buddha is Buddha, he is not conscious of being Buddha, how could there be others that need helping?"

I said, "Buddhas do not know they are Buddha, yet buddhas go on being Buddha, and although there are no others, others do not know there are no others."

He was about to say more, but seeing the astonishment on the faces of his students, he remained silent. After a moment, he told me I could stay and help the workers in the orchard. I said, "Since hearing the words of the Shobogenzo, all activities of workers in the past, present, and future are manifest as the result of my efforts now. What work would you have me do?"

The First Ancestor said, "One expects clear vision from someone so tall, but why use such foul language? Perhaps your unseemly height could be put to use pruning the topmost branches. Go to the orchard and be quiet."

~The Flatbed Sutra of Louie Wing