In this story, a caution is made through an example of self-satisfactory conceited zen, that by being caught in a mental state of 'ku,' it is possible to mistake that one has reached enlightenment, even though they have not reached the state of true myou (mysterious or wondrous manifestations) and myoyu (mysterious influence; mysterious effect).
この話からいったんの「空」の無相の境涯に捉われて、真に妙有・妙用（みょうう・みょうゆう）の境地に達しないのに、自ら覚り終ったとする独り善がりの増上慢（ぞうじょうまん）の禅をたとえて言ったものである。