Crazy Wisdom of the Zen Masters - Playful Fun Koans

[Still_Waters]

A great Chinese Master was asked to nominate an abbot for a new temple then under construction. He arranged a contest between his temple’s head monk and its head cook to see who would get the post. The Master, pointing to the water pitcher by his cushion, challenged them, “Do not call this a water pitcher. What will you call it?” The head monk answered, “It can’t be called a wooden sandal”.

How would you respond if you were the head cook?

NOTE: The head cook's response was absolutely brilliant ... but I'm not saying what that response was .... yet.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

A great Chinese Master was asked to nominate an abbot for a new temple ..... etc:

How would you respond if you were the head cook?

NOTE: The head cook's response was absolutely brilliant ... but I'm not saying what that response was .... yet.

It definitely doesn't contain Rice according to the Master

[inavalan]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

A great Chinese Master was asked to nominate an abbot for a new temple then under construction. He arranged a contest between his temple’s head monk and its head cook to see who would get the post.

Maybe this is that story about the answer was the slapping of the master ...

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by inavalan

Maybe this is that story about the answer was the slapping of the master ...

Both you and sky had interesting responses.
Here's the whole story:

https://www.sanfranciscozen.org/blog...er-the-pitcher
EXCERPT:

In his turn, the head cook walked up and kicked over the pitcher, spilling its contents. The Master laughed and said, “The head monk loses!”

NOTE: By kicking over the pitcher and spilling its contents, all observers readily understood what the water pitcher was... without a single word being spoken. I personally love this story. This anecdote is consistent with standard advice to a playwright: "SHOW, don't tell."

[Still_Waters]

Introduction to Koan 25 (Blue Cliff Records)

"If one's words do not astonish the crowd, one slips into the conventional".



NOTE: This is actually not a koan, as its meaning is clear. However, I personally use this expression a lot as I try to be fresh and original as best as possible.

[Still_Waters]

Case 19 (Gateless Gate):

"Those who argue about right and wrong
Are those enslaved by right and wrong."

NOTE: This has a lot in common with my post 38, which Sky has already addressed in post 39.

https://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/s...1&postcount=38

https://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/s...3&postcount=39

[inavalan]

@ #45:

As long as you don't forget what's your underlying intention ... to communicate or acquire some (specific) information.

Otherwise, "astonishing the crowd', "being fresh", "being original" may be unworthy (or worse) goals and ways.

[Still_Waters]

Case 2 Question (Gateless Gate):

"Does a man of enlightenment fall under the yoke of causation or not?"

[inavalan]

I guess these aren't koans; they sound preachy, and seem incorrect. They reflect their author's view of reality, which is distorted by his beliefs, conscious and unconscious.

Your thread's title promises:

"Crazy Wisdom of the Zen Masters - Playful Fun Koans"

And these aren't either.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by inavalan

@ #45:

As long as you don't forget what's your underlying intention ... to communicate or acquire some (specific) information.

Otherwise, "astonishing the crowd', "being fresh", "being original" may be unworthy (or worse) goals and ways.

The intention is indeed important. With the Zen koans, the intent is to communicate in a fresh and original way ... to stimulate seeing things from a different perspective and to be free of conceptual thinking (IMHO).

"Astonishing the crowd" to impress or get attention could easily reinforce the ego, as in the case of some self-proclaimed "gurus", and thus precede a great fall. I have come across such "gurus" during my journey and have silently walked away.

Good point.