Easier Known Than Done

One day, the famous poet Bai Ju-Yi (Po Chu-I) asked Master Niao-Wo, "What is the essence of the Buddha's teaching?"

Master Niao-Wo said, "Refrain from all unwholesome deeds and perform all wholesome deeds."

Bai chuckled, "Ha! Even a child knows that."

The master replied, "A child may know it, but not even a one-hundred-year-old can do it."