2006-09-13 10:19:25 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You have to ask sensei.
2006-09-15 14:43:53 · answer #1 · answered by peppermint_paddy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no rational explanation.
Zen Buddhism: Rinzai
Koans
In addition to meditation practice, the Rinzai tradition is noted for its use of koans - riddles of a kind which (unlike riddles) have no rational explanation. The purpose of a koan is to short-circuit as it were the habitual thought processes of the mind and to realize an intuitive understanding of what is (rather than what we think is).
This practice is said to originate from a question asked of the eighth century Chinese master, Chao-Chou Ts'ung-Shen. When he was asked whether a dog had the buddha nature, he replied 'Mu' meaning 'nothing'. The answer can be analyzed on a rational level but its true meaning lies beyond conceptualization. The koan is usually given to the student by the master, though it is possible to grapple with a koan of one's own choice. Realization may occur suddenly; alternatively, the student may wrestle with the koan for years. To get a flavor of what such koans are like, here is one that has been used in the Rinzai tradition:
What is the sound of one hand clapping?
This koan is attributed to the Zen master, Hakunin (1689-1789) who placed great emphasis on the value of koans.
Here are a few more:
1. The wise don't strive to arrive.
2. To find yourself is to lose yourself.
3. Grandfather dies, father dies, son dies - this is good fortune.
2006-09-13 22:28:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why IS Why not. And here is the reason. Why indicates a searching, to some extent, for evidence that a certain thing is true. Why not indicates a searching for evidence that something is not true. In music it is the difference between c-sharp and D-flat. They are the same note, but each has its place in when it is used. As the philosophizer Delingeralo Poscules once said "Unbelief is just like belief, in essence and not in content."
2006-09-13 17:30:57 · answer #3 · answered by Guvo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, I'm not that familiar with Zen stuff. So, I'll just answer what's on my mind.
Why? Because it's my nature. And I'd like to.
Why not? Self preservation. Consequences can be hell on earth.
2006-09-14 08:37:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zen answer: yes
2006-09-13 17:26:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everythings Zen, Everythings Zen I dont think so -bush
2006-09-13 17:21:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
42
2006-09-13 21:05:20 · answer #7 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's ironic that you ask, because that question is explicitly irrelevant to Zen philosophy.
2006-09-13 17:25:43 · answer #8 · answered by STILL standing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because
2006-09-13 17:31:00 · answer #9 · answered by Pervy_Pirate 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shuzan held out his short staff and said, "If you call this a short staff, you oppose its reality. If you do not call it a short staff, you ignore the fact. Now what do you wish to call this?"
2006-09-13 17:22:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question reminds me of the concept of "tetravalent logic":
- "yes"
- "no"
- neither "yes" nor "no"
- (beyond human answering abilities)
- "why"
- "why not"
- neither "why" nor "why not"
- (beyond human answering abilities).
---
The "zen sensation" is reached when: (beyond human answering abilities).
2006-09-14 04:40:47 · answer #11 · answered by Axel ∇ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋