Oxherding Parable

Scene 30, Episode 10. Baodingshan, Dazu (map)

The Oxherding Parable illustrates the process of enlightenment. As the herdsman gradually tames his ox, so the spiritual seeker tames his unruly mind by the practice of Zen.

In the final episode, the ox rests comfortably and the herder is nowhere to be found! This refers to the Zen doctrine of "no self;" when the mind (represented by the ox) is stilled, it is found that the thing we call "I" or "myself" (represented by the herder) is just an illusion.