The Blind Men and the Elephant

A king gathered some blind men around an elephant. He asked them to describe what an elephant was like.

The first blind man felt the tusk and said that an elephant was like a giant carrot.

Another blind man happened to touch the ear of the elephant and said that it was like a big fan.

A third man touched the trunk and said it was like a pestle. His compatriot felt the leg and said it was like a mortar.

The last blind man grabbed the tail and said that it was like a rope. Not one of them was able to describe to the king, the elephants real form.

In the same way, Enlightenment is described in parts that seem to be true, but in fact are not. One must come to see the whole picture through rational thought. Once you see the big picture, you begin to discern the nature of things and enlightenment.