101 Zen Story Discussion Thread

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

  1. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    136
    balanced

    Hi Evilpoet!
    I will try to balance humour with the serious stuff. Just the serious gets boring and how many belief systems encourage laughing ?

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

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    Hi Dave

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    I don't know about other belief systems but
    Buddism does. Thought you guys might enjoy
    this link: http://www.dharmathecat.com

    I saved an article about Buddhism and laughter.
    If I can find it I will post it. You know what they
    say, "laughter is the best medicine."

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    Gatta get going. Cya later.
     
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  5. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    Not too pedantic

    Evilpoet,
    Not to belabour the point but Zen is a branch of Buddism.

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    Laugh at least once a day, it's good for you.

    Dave the Druid

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  7. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    Like a tree, Buddhism has many branches.

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  8. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    A little food for thought ...

    Sitting quietly, doing nothing,
    Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.
    -Zenrin poem

    "Do not seek to follow in the footsteps
    of the wise. Seek what they sought."
    -Basho
     
  9. stray dog Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    65
    feeding my thoughts...

    To know men is to be wise;
    To know one's self is to be illumined.

    Lao-Tze
     
  10. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    One more for the road ...

    "Conquering others is power,
    Conquering oneself is strength;"
    -Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
     
  11. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    136
    Simplicity, Simplicity

    South of my house and north - all spring there is water.
    Day after day I watch flocks of gulls return.
    Fallen petals on my path are never swept for guests,
    And only now is the thatched gate opened - for you.
    Food so far from market must be simple;
    The wine in this poor house is home brewed.
    If you are willing, we'll drink with my old neighbor.
    Let me call across the fence before we drain the last cup.
    - Du Fu

    Dave the Druid

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  12. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    Firefly, on meditation

    A student went to his meditation teacher and said, "My meditation is horrible! I feel so distracted, or my legs ache, or I'm constantly falling asleep. It's just horrible!"
    "It will pass," the teacher said matter-of-factly.

    A week later, the student came back to his teacher. "My meditation is wonderful! I feel so aware, so peaceful, so alive! It's just wonderful!'

    "It will pass," the teacher replied matter-of-factly

    Dave the Druid


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  13. Firefly Registered Senior Member

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    lol at the last one.

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    I hope my confusion for them passes as well!

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    Why did you think I'd like that one in particular? I do though, but not entirely sure I get it. (What a surprise

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    )

    Though it's wierd, I think I'm already starting to think and subconsciously respond to these koans in a slightly different manner. Which is wierd, cos I've still to see some progress...
     
  14. Firefly Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,330
    I definately get that one; after all buddhism, meditation etc is about your mind, nobody elses. Agree?

    My first thought was I understood this one as well, but then I thought... The second premise, especially the word "conquering" seems to indicate that to conquer, one must first fight?
     
  15. spookz Banned Banned

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    6,390
    Conquering others is power,
    Conquering oneself is strength


    conquering others could be done by deceitful tactics as well as the more obvious physical method (fight)

    conquering oneself is usually accomplished by mental discipline. i guess you could use fight as in "i had to fight with myself not to take the last slice of cake"

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    just silly semantical distinctions really
     
  16. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    Firefly,

    "Why did you think I'd like that one in particular?"

    No reason in particular. I just thought the imagery was cool in it, thought you might too. I didn't mean to confuse you again.

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    "Though it's wierd, I think I'm already starting to think and subconsciously respond to these koans in a slightly different manner."

    Don't you consider that progress?

    "My first thought was I understood this one as well, but then I thought... The second premise, especially the word "conquering" seems to indicate that to conquer, one must first fight?"

    I'm wondering - is this translation any clearer?

    Mastering others requires force;
    Mastering the self needs strength.
     
  17. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    2,007
    spookz - Question

    What did a Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor?
     
  18. spookz Banned Banned

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    more ketchup please?

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    seriously evil i have no idea
     
  19. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    "more ketchup please?"

    Nope ... make me one with everything.

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    Then you know what happened?

    The hot dog vender made the Buddhist his hot dog which he paid for with a 10 dollar bill. He waited patiently for the change but to no avail. Finally the Buddhist said, "Excuse me, may I please have my change?" The hot vender replied, "But, sir, change comes from within."
     
  20. stray dog Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    65
    "To accuse others for one's own misfortunes
    is a sign of want of education; to accuse oneself
    shows that one's education has begun; to accuse
    neither oneself nor others shows that one's
    education is complete."

    Epictetus
    (c. 50-120 A.D.)
    Greek Stoic philosopher living in Rome
     
  21. stray dog Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    65
    Hey, I can use that one about the hot dog vendor,

    Thanks!
     
  22. EvilPoet I am what I am Registered Senior Member

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    You're welcome.

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  23. Dave the Druid Registered Senior Member

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    Happiness is the lack of want, and or the study of buddhist humour.

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