Acharya Prashant on Zen: What is Zen? A clean plate
- 4 years ago
Video Information: Acharya Prashant speaking on Zen Koans at the 24th Advait Learning Camp, Mukteshwar on 14th September 2016
Zen Koan:
1. A monk told Joshu, “I have just entered this monastery. I beg you to teach me.” Joshu asked, “Have you eaten your rice porridge?” The monk replied, “I have.” “Then,” said Joshu, “Go and wash your bowl.” At that moment the monk was enlightened.
2. Kyogen said, “Zen is like a monk hanging by his teeth in a tree over a precipice. His hands grasp no branch, his feet rest on no limb, and under the tree another man asks him, “Why did Bodhidharma come to China from India?” If the man in the tree does not answer, he misses the question and if he answers, he falls and loses his life, now what shall he do?”
Zen Koan:
1. A monk told Joshu, “I have just entered this monastery. I beg you to teach me.” Joshu asked, “Have you eaten your rice porridge?” The monk replied, “I have.” “Then,” said Joshu, “Go and wash your bowl.” At that moment the monk was enlightened.
2. Kyogen said, “Zen is like a monk hanging by his teeth in a tree over a precipice. His hands grasp no branch, his feet rest on no limb, and under the tree another man asks him, “Why did Bodhidharma come to China from India?” If the man in the tree does not answer, he misses the question and if he answers, he falls and loses his life, now what shall he do?”