When will "I" cease to be?

[sjel]

There once was a monk whose name was Gutei. And when ever people came to ask him questions about Buddhism, he'd hold up a finger. That was the only answer he would give.

Well, he had an attendant. And one day, somebody came to the temple to inquire about the teaching being given there. The master was apparently out, only his attendant was there.

So the investigator said, "what is your teaching here?" And the attendant held up a finger.

But actually the master had been there! He was peeking from behind the screen.

He came out to the boy, and asked, "What is the fundamental teaching of Buddhism?" And the boy held up a finger.

Instantly the master drew a knife and cut it off. And the boy was very dismayed and went and rushed away, yelling.

So the master said, "Hey, come back!" The boy came back.

The master said "what's the fundamental principle of Buddhism?"

He went to hold up a finger but it wasn't there. And he was enlightened."

- Alan Watts