Opinioneer » On Zen

Instructing others

Opinioneer — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:48:56 +0000

A man should first direct himself in the way he should go. Only then should he instruct others.

- Buddha

Everyday Life is the Path

Opinioneer — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:34:24 +0000

Joshu asked Nansen: `What is the path?’ Nansen said: `Everyday life is the path.’

Joshu asked: `Can it be studied?’

Nansen said: `If you try to study, you will be far away from it.’

Joshu asked: `If I do not study, how can I know it is the path?’

Nansen said: `The path does not belong to the perception world, neither does it belong to the nonperception world. Cognition is a delusion and noncognition is senseless. If you want to reach the true path beyond doubt, place yourself in the same freedom as sky. You name it neither good nor not-good.’

At these words Joshu was enlightened.

Mumon’s Comment: Nansen could met Joshu’s frozen doubts at once when Joshu asked his questions. I doubt that if Joshu reached the point that Nansen did. He needed thirty more years of study.

In spring, hundreds of flowers; in autumn, a harvest moon;
In the summer, a refreshing breeze; in winter snow will accompany your.
If useless things do not hang in your mind,
Any season is a good season for you.

On Daily Living

Opinioneer — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:26:48 +0000

A few days ago I read this excellent post over at Zen Habits but I only found the time to blog about it today. No point to comment, because it says it all. The only thing I would have written differently, is that I’d caution against drinking too much scotch, since I don’t drink tequila. So just go read it. Again and again… and then once more:

20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life

A Cup of Tea

Opinioneer — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:44:21 +0000

This Koan kick starts the Zen category which will include various bits and pieces of wisdom, most of them applicable (in a mysterious way) to both work and daily life.

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!”

“Like this cup,” Nan-in said, “you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”