Chris and Bill, Example of the solution of a koan.
What's the sound of one hand clapping? The solution is the recognition that language is capable of expressing irrational meaningless syntax. Therefore language itself isn't truth unless what it expresses is consistent with the overall consistency of the world of forms. Therefore you have to realize Buddha Nature not in individual English statements but in the consistency of the world of forms. What is consistent with the whole is reality rather than illusion and thus is a clearer manifestation of Buddha Nature. Realizing that is the solution.... Then you understand that whoever gave you this koan is a either a dunce or just wanted to be an obnoxious pest or wanted to perpetuate the myth of comic book Zen or waste your time. Look for reality in the consistency of the world of forms rather than the INconsistency of individual koans which have zero to do with reality. Another example. 'Show me your original face before you were born'. This one is easy. The answer is Buddha Nature. Just pick anything at all and point it out to reveal its Buddha Nature and you've solved it! All koans have solutions. They just aren't what ordinary mind might look for... Edgar On Jun 8, 2013, at 9:47 AM, Edgar Owen wrote: > Chris, > > I've been dealing with the quantum koan all my life. > > Reality is the ultimate koan... Solve that one and you've got it! > > Edgar > > > > On Jun 8, 2013, at 9:43 AM, Chris Austin-Lane wrote: > >> >> I didn't think you had done Koan training, Edgar? >> >> Thanks, >> --Chris >> 301-270-6524 >> On Jun 8, 2013 4:40 AM, "Edgar Owen" <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> Bill, >> >> O boy, here we go again.... >> >> Maybe YOUR intellect shuts down but my intellect IS Buddha Nature.... >> >> Edgar >> >> >> >> >> >> On Jun 7, 2013, at 11:17 PM, Bill! wrote: >> >>> >>> Suresh, et al... >>> >>> I agree with Joe here. In fact zen koans are used to exhaust logic and >>> dialectic. When you try to use logic or dialectic to 'solve' a koan you >>> will continually fail and eventually will just give up out of frustration >>> or boredom - much the way you can relax your mind by gazing into a fire >>> (chaotic image) or hearing a repetitious sound (ticking of a clock). Your >>> mind may first try to 'make sense' (create a perception) out of the >>> changing images of the flames or the constant ticking of the clock, but >>> eventually will just 'tune them out'. >>> >>> The same happens with to your intellect during a koan. It eventually just >>> shuts down - and what then is left? Buddha Nature! >>> >>> ...Bill! >>> >>> --- In [email protected], "Joe" <desert_woodworker@...> wrote: >>> > >>> > Suresh, >>> > >>> > Well, "obsessed" is too strong -- and wrong -- a word. >>> > >>> > On a Zen forum, I don't mind speaking about Zen, however. Your habit >>> > seems to speak about all else but Zen. >>> > >>> > Other things enter here from time to time, of course, which relate to our >>> > topic. >>> > >>> > But in general, I enjoy keeping on-topic, and making the forum a more >>> > concentrated place upon the central topic that it is dedicated to. Here, >>> > such concentration is not "obsession": but it is "keeping on topic", and >>> > following the Terms of Service of the board. >>> > >>> > You say you know Naimy: but he passed away 25 years ago. Did you know him >>> > personally, earlier? >>> > >>> > I do not agree that argument can lead to what you call pure >>> > consciousness. Neither does it have to do with the "No Mind" of Zen >>> > awakening. Argument and dialectic can only show the futility of using >>> > logic and thought to realize Buddha Mind. Once a person is satisfied -- >>> > and exhausted -- that cogitation is futile, he/she can then get down to >>> > actual practice, instead, preferably with a Zen teacher and a group, and >>> > see them regularly, and practice Zazen regularly. That is, if your >>> > interest is in fact really in Zen. >>> > >>> > --Joe >>> > >>> > > "Suresh" <varamtha@> wrote: >>> > > >>> > > Dear Joe, >>> > > >>> > > Of course the discussion was with other forum member. I know the author >>> > > of The Book of Mirdad. >>> > > >>> > > I have posted it since it is also related to Buddha. Since that member >>> > > thought Buddha also copied from vedas, I have to argue with him. >>> > > >>> > > Like you are so much obsessed with zen and zen only, the other member >>> > > is obsessed with Hindu scriptures such as vedas. He thinks only vedas >>> > > are supreme and oldest and all other have copied and told in their own >>> > > way. >>> > > >>> > > I don't like obsession. I am free from all theories and all ism. >>> > > >>> > > I also wanted to indicate my way of argument, which when followed >>> > > carefully arrive at pure consciousness or No self in zen terms. >>> > > >>> > > I only post what is related to zen, meditation, no self, the pure >>> > > consciouness. >>> > >>> >> >> >> >> >> >
