To make futile efforts; to pursue an impossible goal; to waste one's efforts on a task that is doomed to fail, like trying to scoop the moon's reflection from the water.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
Sun Wukong, eager to transcend the cycle of life and death, traveled across vast continents and oceans in search of a way. He eventually became a disciple of the Puti Patriarch, spending six or seven years diligently studying scriptures, discussing doctrines with his fellow disciples, sweeping, and tending the garden.
One day, the Patriarch asked Wukong, "What do you wish to learn?" Wukong replied, "Whatever my honorable teacher instructs." The Patriarch asked, "Shall I teach you to invite immortals, practice divination, and avoid misfortune?" Wukong asked, "Will it grant me immortality?" The Patriarch said, "No!" Wukong responded, "I won't learn that! I won't learn that!"
The Patriarch then asked, "Shall I teach you to recite scriptures, pray to Buddha, and worship deities?" Wukong asked, "Will it grant me immortality?" The Patriarch said, "No!" Wukong replied, "I won't learn that! I won't learn that!"
The Patriarch asked, "Shall I teach you to abstain from grains, practice inaction, meditate, and observe a vegetarian diet?" Wukong asked, "Will it grant me immortality?" The Patriarch said, "No!" Wukong replied, "I won't learn that! I won't learn that!"
Finally, the Patriarch asked, "Shall I teach you the methods of 'collecting yin to nourish yang' and alchemy?" Wukong asked, "Will that also grant immortality?" The Patriarch replied, "If you seek immortality through these, it would be like 'scooping the moon from the water'." Wukong inquired, "What does 'scooping the moon from the water' mean?" The Patriarch explained, "The moon is in the sky, and in the water, there is only its reflection. Although you can see it, you can never scoop it up. It is ultimately just a futile fantasy." Wukong declared, "I won't learn that either! I won't learn that either!"
Seeing Wukong's unwavering determination, the Patriarch finally imparted the secret of immortality to him.