Joe, Merle, etc. It wasn't just a stick but a stick wrapped in something soft. I don't know what the orientals wrapped them in but these were used by the Romans for example where a sponge was wrapped around a stick. The sponges would be dipped in water or more often vinegar to clean the bottom after defecating. They were left beside the seats at public latrines for common use.
In fact that is exactly what was used by the Roman soldiers when Jesus was on the cross and asked for water. Instead they held up a shit wiping stick dipped in vinegar to his mouth. A little known historical fact! Edgar On Oct 23, 2012, at 6:42 PM, Joe wrote: > Merle, > > The latter, I think. I imagine it was fashioned in the form of a flat blade, > like a palette-knife, or putty knife, probably from a broad thin piece of > architectural bamboo. > > It must have been a common enough accessory in use at the Ch'an monasteries, > some of which housed hundreds of monks or nuns, and the latrines must have > been extensive. And so the Master made use of the stick as an example, in his > teaching. > > Others might have answered, "The Oak Tree in the court yard" (but at some of > the monasteries on high mountains, Oaks did not grow, but mostly Pines > did/do). Bamboo could be brought up from below, for building, and for > implements. > > Still others might have answered, "Just THIS!". > > The Master was very compassionate, bringing the student back into the "here > and now" with what he said and how he said it. > > --Joe > > > Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote: > > > > huh??????? wiping what.... the toilet or the arse?.. > > so it's an arse wiping stick? > >
