NationStates Jolt Archive

I was just going through a bunch of zen stories because of a post I made in another thread. So, I thought why not post one and see what people thought of it. So... I'm going to post one and see what people think of it.

The Gates of Paradise

A soldier named Nobushige came to Hakuin, and asked: "Is there really a paradise and a hell?"

"Who are you?" inquired Hakuin.

"I am a samurai," the warrior replied.

"You, a soldier!" exclaimed Hakuin. "What kind of ruler would have you as his guard? Your face looks like that of a beggar."

Nobushige became so angry that he began to draw his sword, but Hakuin continued: "So you have a sword! Your weapon is probably much too dull to cut off my head."

As Nobushige drew his sword Hakuin remarked: "Here open the gates of hell!"

At these words the samurai, perceiving the master's discipline, sheathed his sword and bowed.

"Here open the gates of paradise," said Hakuin.

:eek:







I don't get it.

:eek:







I don't get it.
That's why you keep thinking about it.

Mmm... I'll wait for the movie.

Mmm... I'll wait for the movie.
Whacks you in the head with a stick.

Makes perfect sense.

Zen stories rock, except when you don't get it. Dunno why they gotta be so cryptic; I get so angry when I don't get it :mad: .


:eek:


Here open the gates of paradise.


:)

Ahhh I got it, hehe, pretty good.

I was just going through a bunch of zen stories because of a post I made in another thread. So, I thought why not post one and see what people thought of it. So... I'm going to post one and see what people think of it.

The Gates of Paradise

A soldier named Nobushige came to Hakuin, and asked: "Is there really a paradise and a hell?"

"Who are you?" inquired Hakuin.

"I am a samurai," the warrior replied.

"You, a soldier!" exclaimed Hakuin. "What kind of ruler would have you as his guard? Your face looks like that of a beggar."

Nobushige became so angry that he began to draw his sword, but Hakuin continued: "So you have a sword! Your weapon is probably much too dull to cut off my head."

As Nobushige drew his sword Hakuin remarked: "Here open the gates of hell!"

At these words the samurai, perceiving the master's discipline, sheathed his sword and bowed.

"Here open the gates of paradise," said Hakuin.

Boot to the head....... (thwok) :eek:

Whacks you in the head with a stick.

Here open the Gates of Hell :p

Here open the Gates of Hell :p
Another idea only good in theory...

All I have to say is tree falling in the woods, tree falling in the woods, tree falling in the woods, tree falling in the woods, tree falling in the woods.
*enters freaky cross-eyes zen state and stops blinking*

I got it, and thought it was very Fortune cookie worthy.

I got it, and thought it was very Fortune cookie worthy.

It's fat too long for a fortune cookie. Unless it's a huge fotune cookie.

So, should I post, "I g3tt i1 joo n00bs s0ckzores!11!" or say what I think it means? Is there a "right" interpretation?

Kakua visited China and accepted the true teaching. He did not travel while he was there. Meditating constantly, he lived on a remote part of a mountain. Whenever people found him and asked him to preach he would say a few words and then move to another part of the mountain where he could be found less easily.

The emperor heard about Kakua when he returned to Japan and asked him to preach Zen for his edification and that of his subjects.

Kakua stood before the emperor in silence.
He then produced a flute from the folds of his robe, and blew one short note.
Bowing politely, he disappeared.

Kakua visited China and accepted the true teaching. He did not travel while he was there. Meditating constantly, he lived on a remote part of a mountain. Whenever people found him and asked him to preach he would say a few words and then move to another part of the mountain where he could be found less easily.

The emperor heard about Kakua when he returned to Japan and asked him to preach Zen for his edification and that of his subjects.

Kakua stood before the emperor in silence.
He then produced a flute from the folds of his robe, and blew one short note.
Bowing politely, he disappeared.

If a tree falls in the woods and noone hears it does it land in bear shit?

I thought this was going to be about girl parts.

I thought this was going to be about girl parts.

:D Megaloria FTW!

So, should I post, "I g3tt i1 joo n00bs s0ckzores!11!" or say what I think it means? Is there a "right" interpretation?
If there were only one interpretation, there wouldn't be much point in discussing it.

I thought this was going to be about girl parts.
It very well could be. Note the sword and sheath involved in the story.

Is there a "right" interpretation?
It's zen.

Zen teaching deserve bump.