Practice is a cardinal point in Buddhist cultivation

A story concerning the famous T'ang Dynasty official and poet Po Chu-i illustrates this point.

One day, the official, passing along the road, saw a Zen monk seated on the branch of a tree preaching the Dharma. The following dialogue ensued: Official: "Old man, what are you doing up in that tree, in such a precarious position? One misstep, and you will fall to your death!" Monk: "I dare say, Your Lordship, that your own position is even more precarious. If I make a misstep, I alone may suffer; if you, as a high-ranking official, make a mistake in judgement, it can cost the lives of thousands." Po Chu-I, seated in this ornate sedan chair, was puzzled. He reflected for a moment before the parallel dawned on him. He then responded: "Not a bad reply. I'll tell you what. If you can explain the essence of Buddhism to me in one sentence, I'll become your disciple. Otherwise, we will go our separate ways, never to meet again." Monk: "What an easy question! Listen! The essence of Buddhism is to do no evil, do what is good and keep your mind pure." Official: "Is that all there is to it?" Even a child of three realizes that!" Monk: "True, a child of three may realize it, but even a man of eighty cannot practise these injunctions!"