Zen Koans {36}

Shuzan held out his short staff and said, “If you call this a short staff, you oppose its reality. If you do not call it a short staff, you ignore the fact. Now what do you wish to call this?”

Zen Koans {34}

Unmon said: “I do not ask you about fifteen days ago. But what about fifteen days hence? Come, say a word about this!” Since none of the monks answered, he answered for them: “Every day is a good day.”

Words {33} ~ Rambunctious

Rambunctious /ramˈbʌŋ(k)ʃəs ~ Uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous.

~Dharma Name~

A dharma name is a sacred name that a student or disciple of a religious or spiritual tradition is given to mark his/her initiation or other special occasions. Someone being ordained as a monk or nun may also be given a dharma name.

Most common in Buddhist traditions, the dharma name is also called a precept name, refuge name, dhamma name, or sangha name. Dharma is a Sanskrit word meaning “duty,” “virtue” and “righteousness.” It also refers to the ethical precepts of Buddhism.

Zen Koans {32}

Keichu, the first wheelmaker, made two wheels. Each had fifty spokes. Suppose you cut out the hubs? Would there still be a wheel?

Zen Koans {31}

Wakuan stood in front of a picture of Bodhidharma. In the picture, Bodhidharma was wearing a beard. “Now why doesn’t that fellow wear a beard?” asked Wakuan.

~Proverbs {257}~

An old poacher makes the best gamekeeper. ~Zambian Proverb

Zen Koans {30}

Baso said to a monk, “If I see you have a staff, I will give it to you. If I see you have no staff, I will take it away from you.”

~Screaming Reality~

Sometimes in life we want to scream; reality overwhelms us and we have the urge to retreat into a dark room and dissappear. What we really want is to be found and not suppress our inner tension. It’s okay to let things out..

Notes {146}