Re: Hand clap Zen koan
Camille Scaysbrook (verona_beach@geocities.com)
Wed, 04 Nov 1998 10:37:39 +1100
> 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?
Whoa ... whoa ... hold that first thought! That's the important one. The
thing about koans is - well, they're kind of like literary discussion in a
way. There *are* no answers really. In Buddhist instruction, teachers set
their students koans such as this one and they have to go away and solve
them, which may take a day, may take years. The student comes back to the
teacher and offers his or her answer. And the teacher knows instinctively
whether or not this is the `right' answer. He then gives him a `harder'
koan.
Koans are meant to clear the mind of logical thought - so go with your
first emotion and opinion when reading them. Don't let rational thought get
in the way!
(I think this is almost a valuable recommendation when studying literature
too (: )
Camille
verona_beach@geocities.com
@ THE ARTS HOLE www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/6442
@ THE INVERTED FOREST www.angelfire.com/pa/invertedforest