Adepts compare initiation into Zen to pouring ‘boiling oil over a blazing fire’. Zen, of which the koan exercise is a tool, is a Japanese sect of Buddhism, which in spite of having masters and monasteries believes paradoxically that nothing can be taught. But that was before we encountered the most vexatious breed of them all-the koan, a Zen riddle so puzzling yet so potent that single-minded contemplation of one may lead you to instant nirvana. Rapid-fire questions, brainteasers, tantalizing posers, circuitous conundrums-we thought we had seen them all, glued as we are night after night to all those quiz shows out to make crorepatis (millionaires) of us all. Mount Everest… nine… depends on the health of the Scottish tourism industry… an apple… schizophrenia… don’t know but whoever it is will come up with a tell-all bestseller sooner or later… the sound of one hand is… what was that again? Which is the highest mountain in the world? How many planets are there in the solar system? Will the Loch Ness monster ever resurface? What inspired Newton? What caused Van Gogh’s prolific brilliance? Who killed Lady Diana? What is the sound of one hand clapping?
Intense meditation upon these is said to lead to enlightenment For centuries, the secret doctrines of Zen learning have been transmitted from master to disciple in the form of seemingly absurd riddles called koans.
0 kommentar(er)
