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Thursday, December 22, 2005

A ZEN KOAN For You To Wrap Around You Brain

Two monks were arguing about the temple flag waving in the wind. One said, "The flag moves." The other said, "The wind moves." They argued back and forth but could not agree. Hui-neng, the sixth Patriarch, said: "Gentlemen! It is not the flag that moves. It is not the wind that moves. It is your mind that moves."


To understand the meaning of Zen Koans click here.

tags: Zen, meditation

posted by Unknown at 9:30 PM

16 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

I wish sometimes my mind would stop moving and I could get some sleep.

Michele sent me.

10:34 PM  
Blogger kenju said...

The only other koan I've ever heard was "What is the sound of one hand clapping". Is that a real one - or did someone make that up?

11:35 PM  
Blogger Gyrobo said...

Roboshrub once told me of the art of koan. I looked it up on Wikipedia. Here's one I remember:

A man walks into a restaurant. The waiter says he can choose three appetizers. The man looks over the menu, and says, "yams, yams, yams!"

I don't get it.

11:41 PM  
Blogger Gyrobo said...

Oh wait, that wasn't on Wikipedia... it was something else that probably wasn't a koan...

I still don't get it.

11:42 PM  
Blogger Cabe said...

Ah but have you studied the philosophies of Soy Lecithin?

As the legend goes...

Soy heard a tree fall in the woods and asked "Did you hear the tree fall in the woods?" Lecithin responded, "Indeed I did, good sir, for it falleth upon my cabin."

The legend lives!

12:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm going to have to sleep on that one! Right now, my body is moving right on over to bed! But first I wanted to tell you to come on over. I answered your question! Hope you have a truly wonderful holiday. xo

1:05 AM  
Blogger The Zombieslayer said...

Well, time for my mind to shut off. It's about 1:30 and I have to go to work tomorrow morning. :(

4:22 AM  
Blogger The Amused Guru said...

"Just as one hand cannot make a sound clapping, you cannot love god without god loving you" --Rumi

10:16 AM  
Blogger United We Lay said...

Hey! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Things get a little heated on occasion, but we're working on being nicer to each other. I run my place like a classroom. We've taken a while to get to know each other, now we're fighting like siblings. Soon, though, we'll be a cohesive force for discussion and debate, and if we're lucky, we can make small changes in our lives to better help those around us. We'd love to have you be a part of it! Again, thanks for stopping by!

11:10 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

KENJU: I believe that is a true Koan. Perhaps the most famous one.

GYROBOCOP: "yams, yams, yams!"
: makes me think of "Marcia! Marcia! Marcia! from the Brady Bunch. :)

CABE: Did you make that up??? That's great!

ZOMBIESLAYER: What's the sound of Zombie Plague descending??

MARK: See! I told you! You leave the best quotes in the world! You should really consider editing a quote anthology! ;)

POLANCO: Yes, and you are more than welcome here, too! Happy Holidays!

11:37 AM  
Blogger Deb said...

I think this went over my head. (as most things do)

I guess I have to think 'deeper'? Keep in mind I'm on a fourth grade level here! hehee!!! jk

2:03 PM  
Blogger Cabe said...

Understanding the Tao:

1) Construct man of straw.
2) Involve oneself in a skirmish.
3) Blame man of straw.
4) Run for office condemning straw man.

2:28 PM  
Blogger Alex said...

Ooh! Can I tell my favorite Taoist story?

2:40 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

~DEB: No...it didn't go over your head. Koans, by nature, are not supposed to make sense. They are contemplated for years and years. They, ultimately, lead to enlightenment, as they free your mind of 'junk' thoughts. :)

CABE: Are you trying to infer that 'I' created Bush??? :P

ALEX: YES!!! Plese tell your favorite Tao-ist story. I can't type too much these days, which is why I am cutting and pasting all of these quotes. Have a ball!

5:10 PM  
Blogger Deb said...

Ah, I feel better. If other people can't figure this out- then I'm in good shape. I think...hmmm...maybe not!

Intersting though!

5:53 PM  
Blogger tshsmom said...

Thanks soooo much for all your soothing thoughts!
Wishing you a very BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!

8:38 AM  

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