(no subject)

[robinbloke]

Is zen when you believe what you accept or when you accept what you believe:?

Comments

[mazzarc.livejournal.com]

both and neither.

[omentide.livejournal.com]

Yes

[dmh.livejournal.com]

The ancients had a lot of complications to help you,
Such as Xuefeng’s saying,
“The whole earth is you,” Jiashan’s saying,
“Pick out the teacher in the hundred grasses;
recognize the emperor in a bustling market place.”
Take these up and think about them over and over again;
Eventually, over time, you will naturally find a way to penetrate.
No one can substitute for you in this task;
It rests with each individual, without exception.”

- Yunmen (d. 949)

[the-mendicant.livejournal.com]

I think you deserved those answers!

[whotheheckami.livejournal.com]

Aardvark and shrew

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Aye and ar.

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Probably :)

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

It rests with each individual, without exception.

Ar, since what I'm considering her is exclusion of everything save self this makes a lot of sense.

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Anything to make my head hurt! :)

[siranui.livejournal.com]

I suppose the obvious answer is "Mu", and a slap in the face.

However, going a little deeper, I would say that it is niether.

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

The "Mu" has me saying, mwhaaat?

[siranui.livejournal.com]

That's the point :o)

It actually translates as 'has not', 'absence' or 'lacks'.

...but that's not the point.

[dmh.livejournal.com]

What I teach people just
Requires you not to take
On the confusion of others.
Act when necessary,
Without further hesitation or doubt.
When students today do not attain this,
Wherein lies their sickness?
The sickness is in not
Trusting yourself.
If your inner trust is insufficient,
Then you will frantically go along
With changes in situations,
And will be influenced and
Affected by myriad objects,
Unable to be independent.
If you can stop the mentality
Of constant frantic seeking,
Then you are no different
From Zen masters and Buddhas.

- Linji (d. 866)

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

I wiki'd for it ;) Hmmm, nice phrase.
Still it is as you make it...

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

I often quote myself. It adds spice to my conversation.

-George Bernard Shaw

;)

[siranui.livejournal.com]

Basically, 'Mu' as a Koan answer technically means 'This question is not actually relevant' or 'moot point'. It's also a typical 'shock answer', delivered sharply.