Bodhidharma and Emperor Wu
A long time ago, Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, when he was over a hundred years old, made a three year long journey from India to China to meet with Emperor Wu. The Emperor himself was a Buddhist, tho unfamiliar with Zen, and wanted to brag about all the charity he performed for the religion.
"I have endowed many temples and authorized countless ordinations - what is my merit?"
Bodhidharma replied, "None at all."
Then the emperor asked, "What is the first principle of the holy teaching?"
Bodhidharma said, "All is empty, nothing holy."
The emperor was upset and asked, "Then who am I’m talking to?"
"How should I know?" answered Bodhidarma and walked away.