I have the Zen calendar, which provides a "Zen" saying from many different people and religions everyday. It reminds me that Zen cannot be confined to just one religion or way of thinking.

For the 21st of October:

Once some pilgrims came upon an old Sufi digging through the dirt on the side of the road. When asked what he was looking for, he replied: "A treasure I have lost." So all the pilgrims joined in and searched until they were hungary and tired.

Finally one of them asked the Sufi if he was sure this was where he lost his treasure. "Oh my, no! I lost it over there, on the other side of those mountains."

"Then why in the name of Allah are you looking for it here?"

"Because here there is more light."

-Sufi mondo

Edit-forgot closing tag.



[This message has been edited by Social Junker (edited 10-25-2004).]

I love Koans.

Being able to completely let go of rational thought is such a... well, freedom sorta.

Zen is full of shit

I shouda wrote that as a poem

quote:Originally posted by evolove:

Zen is full of shit

Do you mean that dame? Or are you applying a zen type view on zen



I like this Koan:

Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling.

Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection.

"Come on, girl" said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.

Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself. "We monks don't go near females," he told Tanzan, "especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?"

"I left the girl there," said Tanzan. "Are you still carrying her?"

A person may appear a fool and yet not be one. He may only be guarding his wisdom carefully.

Oooh...I like that.

I'm gonna have to use that everytime I appear to be "ignorant".

*lmao*

quote:Originally posted by ---Beany---:

Do you mean that dame? Or are you applying a zen type view on zen



I like this Koan:

Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling.

Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection.

"Come on, girl" said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.

Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself. "We monks don't go near females," he told Tanzan, "especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?"

"I left the girl there," said Tanzan. "Are you still carrying her?"

I like that one, as well, it's a classic.