Re: My favorite zen koan
Mattis Fishman (mattis@argos.argoscomp.com)
Thu, 05 Nov 1998 10:52:43 -0500 (EST)
Morgan quoted Sean:
> In a far-off land still relatively unspoiled by western influence, a wise
> monk carrying two sacks approaches his pupil.
>
> "In one of these sacks", says the monk, "are 10 white balls. In the other
> sack are 10 black balls. Never mind where I got them. I will randomly draw a
> ball from one of the sacks. If it is white, you will be enlightened. If it
> is black, you will remain forever in the dark."
>
> "Before I draw a ball, I will turn my back, during which time you may change
> the contents of the sacks by moving balls from sack to sack. When you are
> done, however, there must still be 10 white and 10 black balls total between
> the two sacks."
>
> Is there any way for the pupil to increases his chances of seeing the light?
and added:
> This sounds more like a math problem than a koan...this is suppose to stop
> making you think rationally? I'm a little confused.
Actually, this riddle is not solved mathematically at all, but by
applying a bit of "sideways" thinking, not non-rational but re-examining
the ambiguous meaning of one of the words. Not, to my mind, a spiritual
awakening, yet an exercise in creative thinking.
The answer to the riddle of course is: yes. Now if you want to know how...
I'll let the poser decide whether or not to reveal that.
all the best,
Mattis