Buddha told of one of his previous lives. He said, ”I was an ignorant person in my previous life. A wise person had attained enlightenment, so I went to see him. I bowed down to touch his feet in reverence. But no sooner had I lifted myself up than I found to my astonishment that the old man had bent to touch my feet.
”’What is this you have done!’ I exclaimed. ’That I should touch your feet is right and proper, but it is not fitting that you should touch mine.’
”The old man said, ’If you touch my feet and I do not touch yours it would be a great mistake because I am nothing but a part of you a few steps ahead of you. And when I bow at your feet I remind you that you did well to touch mine. But do not be under the misconception that you and I are two. Also, do not make the mistake of thinking that I am wise and you are ignorant. It is a matter of time. A little more time and you too will be enlightened. It is just as when my right foot comes forward, the left remains behind to follow: actually, the left foot remains behind in order that the right may go forward.’”
