The Garbage Cleaner's Son

When Great Master Ma-tsu Tao-i returned to his native place for a short visit, he was warmly welcomed by his countrymen.

But an old woman, who used to be his next-door neighbor, said, "I thought that all the commotion was caused by the visit of some extraordinary personage. In fact, it's none other than the little chap of the family of Ma, the garbage cleaner."

On hearing this, Ma-tsu improvised the following poem:

I advise you not to return to your native place
For no one can be a Sage in his own home.
This old woman by the side of the old brook
Still calls me the garbage man's son!

Commentary
Great master remains a son. A son remains a great master. Where's the garbage?

Source: The Golden Age of Zen, by John C.h. Wu
Photo by Anna