At the age of fourteen, Tao Hsin, the Fourth Patriarch, came to Seng Tsan, the Third Patriarch, and said "I beg you, Master, to show your compassion, and lead me to Dharma gate (i.e. the way) of liberation." Seng Tsan asked, "Who has bound you?" Tao Hsin replied, "Nobody has bound me!" Seng Tsan said, "If so, why should you seek for liberation?" Tao Hsin was then enlightened.