The Buddha asked a monk,
“How do you measure the length of a person’s life?”
The monk answered, “By days.” The Buddha
said, “You do not understand
the Way.”
The Buddha asked another monk,
“How do you measure the length of a person’s life?”
The monk answered, “By the time that passes during
a meal.” The Buddha said, “You do not
understand the Way.”
The Buddha asked a third monk,
“How do you measure the length of a person’s life?”
The monk answered, “By the breath.”
The Buddha said, “Very well,
you know the Way.”
full text translated by D.T. Suzuki