This is a rough translation of a teaching by Venerable Master Ching Che https://www.masterchingche.org/ in the video below.
English Translation:
From the metaphor of "ocean water and waves," we can understand the difference between the mind of an ordinary person and that of a sage. Both are water—yet one is turbulent like waves, and the other is calm and still.
This demonstrates the power of analogy: using simple, familiar things to help us grasp profound truths. A parable, or upaya, helps us approach deeper meanings through accessible comparisons.
For instance, the Buddha often explained that our mind has two aspects: one is the "deluded mind," constantly reaching outward toward things; the other is the "true mind," our innate awareness. Most of us only recognize the deluded mind.
The relationship between these two minds is neither one nor two—it is called non-dual. What does that mean? Think of water: when the sea is calm, it represents the true mind; when the wind blows, waves arise—shapes and changes appear, representing the deluded mind.
So, through the metaphor of waves and ocean water, we can understand that the minds of sages and ordinary people are essentially the same—they are both "water." The difference lies in the state: the sage’s mind is calm like still water, while the ordinary mind is turbulent like waves.
Original (Tidied Chinese):
从“海水与波浪”这两个譬喻中，我们可以理解圣人之心与凡夫之心的差别。两者都是水——一个是波浪翻腾的水，一个是平静无波的水。
这是“譬喻”的作用：借由比喻帮助我们理解深奥的道理。譬喻就是以浅显的事物，比拟说明深奥的意义。
例如佛陀常说，我们的心有两种状态：一种是“妄心”，就是攀缘外境的心；一种是真实的“本觉之心”。但我们通常只认识妄心。
这两种心的关系，不是一也不是二，称为“不二”。何谓不二？可以用水来比喻：当海水平静时，就是“真心”；一旦起风，就起波浪，波浪有形象、有变化，就象征“妄心”。
所以，通过“波浪与海水”的比喻，我们了解：圣人与凡夫的心本质一样，都是“水”，但状态不同——圣人的心如平静之水，凡夫的心如翻腾波浪。