A monk asked, “What is Buddha? What are sentient beings?” 

Joshu said, “Sentient beings are Buddha; Buddha is sentient 
beings.” 

The monk said, “What, on earth, are sentient beings?” 

Joshu said, “Ask, ask.” 

NOTE: If you do not ask, you may not understand, but as long as 
you ask, how can you understand? 

- Radical Zen: The Sayings of Joshu