101 Zen Story Discussion Thread

What happens if you want Buddist humor? Is that bad?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

I don't think so!

Hi Evilpoet!

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

Not at all. Laughter is as much a part of life as anything else and should be explored. Consider meditating and breaking out laughing. LOL

Dave the Druid

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

Hi Dave

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

Whew! I'm so glad you said that. Thanks for the
suggestion on meditating, I will definitely take it into
consideration. I take it this meditation is best done
on the floor? You know, for safety reasons?

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

Well yes...

Evilpoet,

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

the floor beats falling out of your chair. That reminds me of a storey about becoming enlightened but I forget it right now.
Laugh it's good for you.
Dave the Druid

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Dave,

Yup, I agree laughing is good for you. Seeing as I have had the experience of falling out of a chair before I also agree with you on that too. NO fun at all imo. Paul's Law: You can't fall off the floor. Speaking of laughter, I'm still looking for that article on Buddhism and laughter, which is why I haven't posted it yet. I forgot where I put so it might take awhile. You know how it goes (I hope).

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

I have a request, if you wouldn't mind, could you post the story when you remember?

And on that note, I have to get going. Have a good one everyone.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

Cya later,
EvilPoet

 

Know yourself

"I tell people to get to know themselves. Some people think this means what beginners observe, and consider it easy to understand. Reflect more carefully, in a more leisurely manner---what do you call self?"

-Zen Master Foyan

 

Some food for thought ...

Labels and Objective Truth

"Because you grasp labels and slogans, you are hindered by
those labels and slogans, both those used in ordinary life and
those considered sacred. Thus they obstruct your perception of
objective truth and you cannot understand clearly."
-Zen Master Linji, Zen Essence

Objective Perception and Understanding

"If you want to perceive and understand objectively, just don't
allow yourself to be confused by people. Detach from whatever
you find inside or outside yourself---detach from religion, tradition,
and society, and only then will you attain liberation. When you are
not entangled in things, you pass through freely to autonomy."
-Zen Master Linji, Zen Essence

Peace and Quiet

"When you have attained mental and physical peace and quiet,
don't get stuck in peace and quiet. Be independent and free, like
a gourd rolling and bobbing on a river."
-Zen Master Dahui, Zen Essence

 

Ah yes, I see it much better now.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

Wow, I think I am progressing!

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Small things

Firefly,
Well done! Sometimes it's the small things that lead to enlighenment. I am still looking for those storeys that end with 'and he was enlightened' but when I find them I will post.

Dave the Druid

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Firefly,

I am glad that translation was clearer. In my opinion, clarity is
very important and should be sought as much as possible.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

Some food for thought ...

"Buddhism is so vast and sophisticated that it is difficult to fully
understand all the Buddha's teachings, and see the results
through practice and cultivation. Be determined and persistent.
Do not give up or retreat." -Buddhism In A Nutshell

 

FireFly...it will pass.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

It Will Pass

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.

Source: Zen Stories To Tell Your Neighbors

 

Some (more) food for thought ...

Talking About Zen

"Talking about Zen all the time is like looking for fish tracks
in a dry riverbed." -Zen Master Wuzu, Zen Essence

 

So True

Evilpoet,

That said should we refocus our discussion? Perhaps discuss a specific storey until it's over done and not not quote the old sources but give our take on the readings. Or am I being too serious.

Dave the Druid

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Yeah, that's what I thought this thread was going to be about!

 

Dave,

I think we should just go with the flow and not worry about it.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

Going with the Flow

A Taoist story tells of an old man who accidentally fell into the river rapids leading to a high and dangerous waterfall. Onlookers feared for his life. Miraculously, he came out alive and unharmed downstream at the bottom of the falls. People asked him how he managed to survive. "I accommodated myself to the water, not the water to me. Without thinking, I allowed myself to be shaped by it. Plunging into the swirl, I came out with the swirl. This is how I survived."

Source: Zen Stories To Tell Your Neighbors

 

I think you are right

I just prefer posting where the original quote is so that there is continuity ( for me at least ). Quote and stack the responses.

Dave the Druid

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Like my note says: "If you want to discuss this story or any
other story you can post in this thread or over here in this
thread."

Either here or over there, doesn't make any difference imo.
Whichever is better for you guys. I'll just go with the flow.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Thank You!

Evilpoet,

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

Thanks for that! I started to loose the plot on the humor postings so I'll just reply when I think it'll do any good.

Dave the Druid

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Dave,

Sounds good to me.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!