Savi
07-25-2003, 06:33 PM
I have posted this on the kung fu magazine forum involving certain individuals. I thought that it might add to the discussion here...
The following is a section from one of the most enlightening stories I've ever read. This story was taken from a Zen centre in LA, Calif USA:
"...Once a monk approached Wu-Ming and asked in all earnestness, "In the whole universe, what is it that is most wonderful?" Without hesitation Wu-Ming stuck a cucumber before the monks face and exclaimed, "There is nothing more wonderful than this!" At that the monk crashed through the dualism of subject and object, "The whole universe is pickled cucumber; a pickled cucumber is the whole universe!" Wu-Ming simply chuckled and said, "Stop talking nonsense. A cucumber is a cucumber; the whole universe is the whole universe. What could be more obvious?" The monk, penetrating the perfect phenomenal manifestation of Absolute Truth, clapped his hands and laughed saying, "Throughout infinite space, everything is deliciously sour!"
On another occasion a monk asked Wu-Ming, "The Third Patriarch said, "The Great Way is without difficulty, just cease having preferences." How can you then delight in eating cucumbers, yet refuse to even take one bit of a
carrot?" Wu-Ming said, "I love cucumbers; I hate carrots!" The monk lurched back as though struck by a thunderbolt. Then laughing and sobbing and dancing about he exclaimed, "Liking cucumbers and hating carrots is without difficulty, just cease preferring the Great Way!..."
There are many paradigms that every person goes through. None are attained soley through the cerebral approach, but are accompanied with experience.
We can read all about history and quotes from famous people, but those same people being quoted speak from experience. This is not to be overlooked. I cannot assume to understand all things being discussed unless I have a shared and common experience as the other party(ies) involved in the discussion. Recognizing the proper Context is the key to having prosperous conversations as well. Without recognizing that, any discussion will lead to a waste of time and energy.
One cannot mistake anything to be ONLY permanent or ONLY impermanent. This is also Yin and Yang, the symbol of balance. Time, Space, and Energy are always changing but they are always there. Without them being in perfect balance Life would not be capable of existing. To accept reality is to accept and understand the common denominators of reality itself. What is true in combat, in health, in philosophy, must be true everywhere. That is the balance.
"The great sage of Han-hsin monastery has skillfully demonstrated that the great Tao cannot be confined by doctrines, but is best expounded through harmonious action. Let us profit by the wisdom he has so compassionately shared, and each endeavor to make our every step one that unites heaven and earth in accord with the profound and subtle Tao."
The following is a section from one of the most enlightening stories I've ever read. This story was taken from a Zen centre in LA, Calif USA:
"...Once a monk approached Wu-Ming and asked in all earnestness, "In the whole universe, what is it that is most wonderful?" Without hesitation Wu-Ming stuck a cucumber before the monks face and exclaimed, "There is nothing more wonderful than this!" At that the monk crashed through the dualism of subject and object, "The whole universe is pickled cucumber; a pickled cucumber is the whole universe!" Wu-Ming simply chuckled and said, "Stop talking nonsense. A cucumber is a cucumber; the whole universe is the whole universe. What could be more obvious?" The monk, penetrating the perfect phenomenal manifestation of Absolute Truth, clapped his hands and laughed saying, "Throughout infinite space, everything is deliciously sour!"
On another occasion a monk asked Wu-Ming, "The Third Patriarch said, "The Great Way is without difficulty, just cease having preferences." How can you then delight in eating cucumbers, yet refuse to even take one bit of a
carrot?" Wu-Ming said, "I love cucumbers; I hate carrots!" The monk lurched back as though struck by a thunderbolt. Then laughing and sobbing and dancing about he exclaimed, "Liking cucumbers and hating carrots is without difficulty, just cease preferring the Great Way!..."
There are many paradigms that every person goes through. None are attained soley through the cerebral approach, but are accompanied with experience.
We can read all about history and quotes from famous people, but those same people being quoted speak from experience. This is not to be overlooked. I cannot assume to understand all things being discussed unless I have a shared and common experience as the other party(ies) involved in the discussion. Recognizing the proper Context is the key to having prosperous conversations as well. Without recognizing that, any discussion will lead to a waste of time and energy.
One cannot mistake anything to be ONLY permanent or ONLY impermanent. This is also Yin and Yang, the symbol of balance. Time, Space, and Energy are always changing but they are always there. Without them being in perfect balance Life would not be capable of existing. To accept reality is to accept and understand the common denominators of reality itself. What is true in combat, in health, in philosophy, must be true everywhere. That is the balance.
"The great sage of Han-hsin monastery has skillfully demonstrated that the great Tao cannot be confined by doctrines, but is best expounded through harmonious action. Let us profit by the wisdom he has so compassionately shared, and each endeavor to make our every step one that unites heaven and earth in accord with the profound and subtle Tao."