What is the Sound of One hand clapping?
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Vajradhara
One of Many
Namaste all,
and, of course, deaf people in the United States clap without touching either hand together!
metta,
~v
and, of course, deaf people in the United States clap without touching either hand together!
metta,
~v
Gatekeeper
Shades of Reason
Call me dim witted, but I don't think I get it. It seems pointless to even attempt to clap with one hand, not to mention the fact that it would more than likely make you look like an idiot. It takes two hands to make clapping mean anything. Without two hands a clap would not - could not exist. It's the same as yin yang - right left - good evil - wise unwise, heat cold - dark light ... [imo]
My answer is that it sounds like [nothing] A clap is not a clap w/o a counter part to make it fruitful.
My answer is that it sounds like [nothing] A clap is not a clap w/o a counter part to make it fruitful.
Dream
Well-Known Member
So the purpose of the Koan is to observe the raging wave of the mind against the non-eroding shore? It is the sound of one hand clapping?
Vajradhara
One of Many
Namaste Gatekeeper,
thank you for the post.;
that is, in fact, the point of Koans.. you are not supposed to "get it". the "get it" teachings are called Mondos. Koans are, generally speaking, designed to shift the habitual thinking patterns into new paths and ways.
there are over 300 used Koans in the Ch'an/Zen traditions and the one that a student is given to study is based upon the teachers understanding of the student and it is quite likely that a student would spend years studying the same Koan until they broke through the habitual thinking patterns after which many other Koans are able to be used.
Koan contemplation is really not part of my practice.. of course i'm not in a Ch'an or Zen school but there it is
metta,
~v
thank you for the post.;
that is, in fact, the point of Koans.. you are not supposed to "get it". the "get it" teachings are called Mondos. Koans are, generally speaking, designed to shift the habitual thinking patterns into new paths and ways.
there are over 300 used Koans in the Ch'an/Zen traditions and the one that a student is given to study is based upon the teachers understanding of the student and it is quite likely that a student would spend years studying the same Koan until they broke through the habitual thinking patterns after which many other Koans are able to be used.
Koan contemplation is really not part of my practice.. of course i'm not in a Ch'an or Zen school but there it is
metta,
~v
seattlegal
Mercuræn Buddhist
In other words, to drive you out of your mind
(and into new territory.)bananabrain
awkward squadnik
the sound of one hand clapping is, of course, "cl".
or "ap", depending on which hand you use.
however, i have also heard that some abbots then clout the acolyte hard around the head, then grin broadly and say: "you see? one hand!"
b'shalom
bananabrain
or "ap", depending on which hand you use.
however, i have also heard that some abbots then clout the acolyte hard around the head, then grin broadly and say: "you see? one hand!"
b'shalom
bananabrain
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hehe, back when I were an ass, that used to be my answer. What's the sound of one hand clapping? "Whap" What do you mean whap? (oh how we loved it when that question was asked...I think I learned that one in the school yard, and then who knows how often I repeated it...)
Gatekeeper
Shades of Reason
Namaste Gatekeeper,
thank you for the post.;
that is, in fact, the point of Koans.. you are not supposed to "get it". the "get it" teachings are called Mondos. Koans are, generally speaking, designed to shift the habitual thinking patterns into new paths and ways.
there are over 300 used Koans in the Ch'an/Zen traditions and the one that a student is given to study is based upon the teachers understanding of the student and it is quite likely that a student would spend years studying the same Koan until they broke through the habitual thinking patterns after which many other Koans are able to be used.
Koan contemplation is really not part of my practice.. of course i'm not in a Ch'an or Zen school but there it is
metta,
~v
I'm not nearly disiplined enough to spend that amount of time contemptaling on a question that has no answer. If it serves to help a person think out of the box, then that's fine, but for the life of me, I don't see where this question could lead a person - Maybe I'm just not a deep thinker like some. :shrug:
Love
James
Dream
Well-Known Member
So nobody here actually participates in Koan practice? I'm a little disappointed because I was expecting some easy-freebie knowledge. No luck, as usual. Maybe this conversation is the sound of one hand clapping?
seattlegal
Mercuræn Buddhist
Here, Dream, it could be said that this picture is as good as any analogy representing the practice of Zen:
Netti-Netti
Well-Known Member
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Here, Dream, it could be said that this picture is as good as any analogy representing the practice of Zen:
Dream,
I think what SG is trying to tell you is that internal holiness arises from an attitude of reverence.
Secondarily, I think she is trying to say that higher-powered metaphysics doesn't have much practical value in a universe where nobody even notices the difference between sinners and saints and where a waiter at a Tibetan BBQ joint might be unhappy with a $1 tip.
greymare
Well-Known Member
thee sound of one hand clapping...............................................................................................................whoooooosh,
17th Angel
לבעוט את התחת ולקחת שמות
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It makes a unique sound.. Very much like the sound of one finger clicking.
Hi James,
Has no logical rational answer. But that's not the same thing as no answer. The answer is not the point, the point is the change in thinking/perception. Perhaps a modern "take" on koans would be Edward de Bono's lateral thinking.
s.
The internet is at your fingertips!
Are we all so disappointing, and so soon?
We transcend mere units of knowledge, that can so easily be gleaned elsewhere!!!
s.
Gatekeeper
Shades of Reason
Yeah, I see the point, but I fail to see where it might lead a person. I mean, I'm crazy enough as is - and that's w/o trying to figure out the illogical meaning of a question that could lead to only God knows where, lol. Like I said, I guess I'm just not a deep thinker.
I prefer my fruity pebbles in a bowl, with a spoon.
James
Ciel
in essence
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