Since its been a bit quiet, I thought a few good old Koans would be in order. These have been told in a couple different ways in the past.
Flag in Breeze
Two monks were outside on a windy day admiring a flag flapping quickly in a stiff breeze.
The first monk said, "Look, flag moving."
The second monk cleverly said, "No, no, wind moving."
A wise monk happened to be walking by, and over hearing the other two, leaned towards them and said "Mind moving."
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Mothers Ocean
There once was a young student of Zen who was very curious and asked his teacher, "If age isn't real, and time only exists as an object of the mind, would it be possible for a daughter to become as old as her mother?" The teacher responded, " A raindrop does not begin in the sky and does not end in the ocean."
Why did the teacher say this in answer to the students question?
Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor tradition; nor rumor; nor what is in a scripture; nor surmise; nor axiom; nor specious reasoning; nor bias towards one’s beliefs; nor upon another's seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, 'The monk is our teacher.' When you yourselves know: 'These things are good; these things are not blamable; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness,' enter on and abide in them.
Don't forget the fourth monk (from http://flappingmouths.blogspot.com/), visibly annoyed at the other three, who said, "Mouths are flapping!"
ReplyDeletelol yes, i forgot that.
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