Buddhist Monkeying Around...

Hey Campers,

Well, to be honest, finals are kicking me firmly in the butt. I’m TIRED. But that being said, it’s been far too long since I posted. So, here we go…

Here’s a list of statements to sit back on reflect on. They’ll take your mind off your woes and, if you’re lucky, help lead to some type of enlightenment ;) Incidentally, these are called ‘Zen koans’ if you want to google it later. Peace!

1) "Two hands clap and there is a sound; what is the sound of one hand?"

2) "Without thinking of good or evil, show me your original face before your mother and father were born."

3) A monk asked Dongshan Shouchu, "What is Buddha?" Dongshan said, "Three pounds of flax."

4) A monk asked Zhaozhou, "What is the meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the west?" Zhaozhou said, "The cypress tree in the courtyard."

5) Nansen instructed the assembly and said, "All the buddhas of the three worlds do not know that there is. Only the cats and Oxen know that there is."

6) Whatever he was asked, Master Gutei simply stuck up one finger.

7) A monk asked Tozan,"Among the three bodies [of Buddha], what body does not degenerate into numbers?" Tozan said, "I am always most intimate with it."

8) Great Master Tokusan Emmyo instructed his assembly and said, "If you have exhausted to the end, you will realize right away that all buddhas in the three worlds have stuck their mouths to the wall [1]. Yet there is still one person ­ he is giving a great laugh. If you can recognize that person, you have accomplished your study."

9) Great Master Ba was seriously ill. The temple steward asked him, "Master, how are you feeling these days?" Great Master said, "Sun-faced Buddha, Moon-faced Buddha."

10) Venerable Gon'yo asked Joshu, "How is it when a person does not have a single thing?" Joshu said, "Throw it away." Gon'yo said, "I say I don't have a single thing. What could I ever throw away?" Joshu said, "If so, carry it around with you."

Ok folks, chew on that a bit. Have a great week and I’ll try to post again before I leave on vacation for a week…

Blessings,

Kevin