Re: Hand clap Zen koan
Paul VanDenBerghe (VanDenBergheP@ldschurch.org)
Mon, 02 Nov 1998 10:53:35 -0700
There's an interesting article in a past issue of _Esquire_ that mentions =
this koan and the author's interpretation. The article is all about JDS =
and his reclusive nature. Anyway, the author's theory is that if the =
question were posed to an enlightened student, the student's response =
would be to replicate the motion of clapping one's hands but bring only =
one hand in front of the body. That's it: the absence of sound produced by =
only one hand clapping.
The article's author continues to say that Seymour's wife does just that, =
replicates these actions, as she waves her hand back and forth to dry her =
nail polish.
This idea could include such thoughts as this absence of sound is =
conducive to meditation; or that the absence of distraction allows one to =
understand the deeper meaning behind the clap, rather than the sound of =
the clap; etc.
(If anyone is interested in the _Esquire_ article let me know and I'll =
look at my magazine tonight at home and give the date, issue, etc.)
Paul VanDenBerghe
>>> Paul Janse <PJanse@compuserve.com> - 11/2/98 2:02 AM >>>
Can anyone explain the meaning of the zen koan about the sound of one hand
clapping (the motto of Nine Stories)? The first time I read it I found it
witty and interesting, but the more I think about it, the more meaningless
it becomes to me. Or is this exactly its point?
Paul Janse