101 Zen Story Discussion Thread

Discussion in 'Eastern Philosophy' started by EvilPoet, Jan 20, 2003.

  1. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    2,007
    Dave,

    Well, it might not be your best effort iyo but
    imo it is still very good food for thought.

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  3. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    Just trying to keep warm

    Thanks for your kind words

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    I am honored.
    How are my suggestions for meditating sounding?

    Dave the Druid
     
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  5. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    2,007
    Your suggestions for meditating sound great. I have often
    pondered the various aspects of a flower as well as other
    things in nature, very enlightening imo. I have something
    I want to post, but I have to dig it out first. So, for now, I
    bid you farewell.

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  7. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    Farewell? How about until later, farewell sounds so final.
    How about, I'll expect you when I see you.

    The real challenge in meditation is focusing on nothing and then examining it as it's own entity. Still nature is a pretty good subject to consider.

    The snow having melted,
    the village
    is full of children. - Issa

    Dave The Druid

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  8. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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  9. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    Meditation help

    Firefly,
    this link might help you with meditation.

    http://www.buddhanet.net/meditation.htm

    If you have questions don't hesitate to ask. I'm willing to help/share insights and I think Evilpoet would help too.

    Dave the Druid

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  10. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    2,007
    Dave,

    I understand where you are coming from, I certainly didn't mean
    for it to sound final in any way. It's just that, well, I think farewell
    sounds so much more poetic than goodbye.

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    Thanks for posting the BuddhaNet link, excellent resource imo. You
    are correct, I'm more than happy to help in any way I can if I can.
    All ya gatta do is ask. I have to get going after my next post, the
    faucet in the shower is broken and needs tending to. I hope you
    have a great rest of your day.

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    Those falling blossoms
    all return to the branch when
    I watch butterflies
    -Moritake


    Till next time,
    EvilPoet
     
  11. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    136
    Peace

    Good luck with the plumbing!

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    A roof was leaking in the temple. The master asked 2 students to get someting with which to capture the water. The first student returned with a vessel with which to catch the water. Tha master threw the vessel so that it broke. This puzzled the first student. The second student arrived with a basket. The master was pleased with the second student It was at this moment that the first student became enlightened.


    Dave the Druid

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  12. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    2,007
    I thought you guys might enjoy this little bit of mind food.
    It's from Zen Fables For Today by Richard McLean.
    Bon Appetit!

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    Visualizing Buddhism as an Elegant Buffet

    One of the marvels of Buddhism is that interested parties don't have to make a religious commitment. It can be used as a relevant ethical system or a functional self-help device or provide new ways to cope with our complex society. Or Buddhism can become a nourishing spiritual path. At all levels this multitiered system proves enriching. Imagine Buddhism as an elegant buffet with these choices:

    Just cruising the dessert tray
    Enjoy the amusing anecdotes as well as chomping on the rich nuggets of wisdom. Leaves a lingering sweet taste.

    Digging into the salad bar
    Discover pragmatic solutions to everyday problems. Find old ideas that are as fresh as tomatoes picked in the field that morning.

    Pigging out on favorite pastas
    Put into use tested techniques for modifying consciousness and behavior. Have adventures as exciting as finding a new Italian restaurant.

    Filling up on brain food
    Find insights into different systems of philosophy and thought. Discover that Eastern thought is a different from Western thought as seafood is from meat.

    Dining on heavy-duty meats
    Tackle new ways of dealing with profound questions such as: Who am I? What is my place in the universe? And how do I reconcile with my own mortality? Protein stuff!

    Buying a meal ticket and becoming a regular
    Buddhism may open a new journey into spirituality. No, it isn't necessary to shave your head and find a begging bowl. Buddhism is as much a religion of the world as a religion of the monastery. Ask the millions of practitioners!

    -Pgs. 18-19
     
  13. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    Evilpoet

    Brilliant!

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    Great stuff Evilpoet, Now I'm hungry.


    Dave the Druid

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  14. Firefly Registered Senior Member

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    you guys post too fast.

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    I am interested in meditating, but I think I see where I've been going wrong, so when I get another chance, I'll try it differently. I'm following that thread, though don't always have the patience to read all of the ... denser posts.

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    I've been to Buddha.net, copied a lot of stuff from there, cos it was so helpful.

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    I like this:
    It' nice, simple, and yet I'm guessing there's a deeper meaning too (which I have yet to grasp

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    )
     
  15. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    Firefly,

    I agree, BuddhaNet is very helpful. Good luck the next time you
    try meditating, if you are so inclined let us know how it went.

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    As far as haiku goes, I think this quote by Bruce Lansky
    sums it up quite nicely:

    "Haiku poetry is a very short, centuries-old form of Japanese
    poetry that is an intriguing change of pace from the kind of
    rhythmic, rhyming poetry you're used to reading. Haiku is like
    a photo that captures the essence of what's happening, often
    connecting two seemingly unrelated things."
     
  16. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    136
    Spot on

    Evilpoet,
    Excellent read on Haiku. There are some forms that are just too funny and should be enjoyed for the moment they capture.

    Dave the Druid

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  17. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    136
    Firefly

    I'll slow down.
    Perhaps the best way to start is with the smaller bits. Although that said, it is possible to spend one's life totally focused on those in an effort to gain understanding.

    Either way, enjoy!

    Dave the Druid
     
  18. Firefly Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,330
    lol, you don't have to slow down just cos I can't get on a computer enough! Besides, it's interesting read what's been written. The more written, the more potential for me to learn!

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  19. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    Fair Enough

    Ok, I'll keep at it. If you need a deeper(?) explanation I will endevor to keep it clear. Sound good?
    Dave the Druid

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  20. Firefly Registered Senior Member

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    Sounds great. If I have a query, I'll post it here.

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  21. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    looking forward to your questions!

    Firefly,
    ok it's time to grow. Smile and embrace your subject.

    The path to inner discovery resides in the world around us.

    Dave the Druid

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  22. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    Firefly,

    Sounds great to me too.

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    I thought you might enjoy
    this haiku by Bassho:

    Through frozen rice fields,
    moving slowly on horseback,
    my shadow creeps by

    Take care,
    EvilPoet
     
  23. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    2,007
    Dave,

    "There are some forms that are just too funny
    and should be enjoyed for the moment they
    capture"


    I totally agree.

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    Just beyond the gate,
    a neat yellow hole---
    someone pissed in the snow
    -Issa
     

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