Zen Koan of the Week - Comments always welcomed!?

Question

Its that time again everybody - Care to comment?

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Nansen saw the monks of the eastern and western halls fighting over a cat. He seized the cat and told the monks: `If any of you say a good word, you can save the cat.'
No one answered. So Nansen boldly cut the cat in two pieces.

That evening Joshu returned and Nansen told him about this. Joshu removed his sandals and, placing them on his head, walked out.

Nansen said: `If you had been there, you could have saved the cat.'

"Did Joshu's actions equate to communicating something without words?"

Yes.

Theresa - While i cannot give the answer just yet (there's one or two regulars I have hopes that will comment), but allow me to point the way for you.

The monks that Nansen interupted were arguing over the cat.

Marvin - Refer to Michael M's answers. Koans are little short "illogical/absurd" tales that are supposed to put forth a point if the reader ponders about it long enough.

The common interpretation - The monks were struggling over the cat and losing touch with the goal of aiming toward understanding reality. The cat is unimportant, it could have been an argument over just about anything.

To show them their futility and childishness, Nansen threatened the cat - an equally childish action. This was lost on the monks, who still striving after the cat lost their childish sense (since they wanted to give a serious answer).

Nansen was trying to get them to react. Notice the question "say a good word." Could have been any good word really - but they did not. (Their still caught up obsessing over the cat and their argument).

Joshu can play Nansen's game. He reacts by showing how "topsy-turvy" the monks thoughts are (Shoes on top of head). He also shows Nansen that he could have reacted in the right manner and faster than the monks because he understands what the problem was.

Answer 1

Ho ho. A pebble changes a stream's flow. No pebble does not change it.

Answer 2

Had these monks taken a vow of silence? Is that why no one said anything to save the cat?

Did Joshu's actions equate to communicating something without words?

I give up, please enlighten us!

Answer 3

My understanding is that koans are supposed to be so nonsensical and illogical that they shock the mind into a suspension of judgment wherein the path to Nirvana can be found. Personally, I find them to be merely mildly irritating---not enlightening at all.

Answer 4

I don't know what you're talking about but that Nansen has signs of being a psycopath cause he is cruel to animals, and what in the world is a Zen Koan????

Answer 5

hmmm, interesting

don't get the point of putting the sandals on the head though