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11 March 2005
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This age old question I beleive is actually the coy recasting of a famous Zen Master KOAN, or riddle, Zen Masters use to train their students. The KOAN in question, sevised by the famous Zen Master Hakuin (1686-1779) is as follows :In clapping both hands, a sound is heard. What is the sound of one hand? (In casual discussion this is usally corupted to : What is the sound of one hand clapping?)Unsophisticated persons are generally inclined to answer with something like, "Half a clap," which, of course, signifies that they have not yet achieved Budda nature.
After several years of dedicated meditating, however, they learn the correct response, which is to face the questioner, assume a correct Budist posture, and without a word thrust one hand forward.
I learn this from "The sound of the one hand : 281 Zen Koans With Answers" by Hau Hoo, which is my idea of an admirably no-bullshit approach to cosmic enlightenment.
I realize that the allegedly correct response in this case is a little on the enigmatic side .......... but then ....thats Zen for you!
It is ruminating on such assiduously on such mysteries that we learn to free our minds from the structures of linear thinking and grab the essence of the void! Other effective measures of advoiding linear thinking are ....Quaaludes and old Magnum P.I. reruns, two excellent examples of the way modern technology enriches ancient religious practice.
The other Zen koan you might want to take note of is said to have been composed by the Japanese Zen Master Joshu (778-897), and goes as follows : Does a dog have Budda nature.
The correct answer is Mooooo, uttered in a sort of plantive bellow. In the intrest of perfect technical accuracy I should mention that the conventional spelling is, "MU", which is Zen for "A question to dumb for answering." However, Mooooo works better for us midwesterners.
Personally I find the answer to this age old riddle best told by a old "8-10 year" friend of mine from San Quentin, California. "The sound of one hand clapping, as any true friend of Jimmy Rockford can tell you, is the sound of a slap in the face. ------
(Once again I marvel at the subtle ways in which Westerners assimilate the wisdom of the East)
RedRyder/ Over & Out
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