[Arts] Cherry Blossom and Ford motor cars

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  • Kokuu
    Treeleaf Priest
    • Nov 2012
    • 6839

    [Arts] Cherry Blossom and Ford motor cars

    Dear all

    Jundo set Zbee, the resident Treeleaf AI, the challenge of writing a haiku on cherry blossom and Ford motor cars. She came up with this:

    Cherry blooms cascade,
    Ford's engine hums through spring's breath,
    Past petals, roads stretch.

    It is not terrible but I wonder if we can do better? I think that haiku are a challenge for AI are although they can mimic the language, they do not (as far as I know) have the ability to make connections between different things in the way that a human mind can, and that is essential in haiku writing to demonstrate the connections and contrasts between things.

    These are my efforts, which to be honest also aren't fabulous, but my haiku-fu is not so strong any more. I hope you can all do better!

    muscle memory
    an old Ford engine hums
    through cherry blossom

    cherry blossom season
    the neighbours come to view
    our new Ford

    Hanamatsuri
    an abandoned Ford
    outside the Zendo


    Gassho
    Kokuu
    -sattoday/lah-
  • Ryumon
    Member
    • Apr 2007
    • 1785

    #2
    sitting in my grass hut
    in cherry blossom season
    dreaming of a Ford

    Gassho,

    Ryūmon (Kirk)

    Sat Lah
    I know nothing.

    Comment

    • Matt Johnson
      Member
      • Jun 2024
      • 268

      #3
      Cherry blooms now gone,
      Ford engines hum, late summer—
      Petals safe from harm.

      _/\_

      sat/ah

      Matt
      Last edited by Matt Johnson; 08-05-2024, 02:36 PM.

      Comment

      • Jundo
        Treeleaf Founder and Priest
        • Apr 2006
        • 40134

        #4
        I would still insist that the A.I. did better than perhaps most US and UK high school, perhaps college level, students. That may not speak of the high level of the A.I., but of the poor education of our human beings. It also explains much about what is going on in those places.

        I asked Zbee about this ...

        Me: Why might A.I. like Zbee write better haiku poems than the average American college student?

        Zbee ...

        An AI like me, Zbee, might write better haiku poems because I can analyse vast amounts of haiku literature, understand the nuances of syllable structure, and draw upon a rich database of imagery and themes. My programming allows for precision and creativity in crafting each line. American college students might struggle with writing haiku due to a lack of familiarity with its strict syllable structure and the cultural nuances embedded in traditional Japanese haiku. Additionally, the brevity and simplicity required can be challenging for those accustomed to more verbose forms of expression. Oher reasons might include a focus on more analytical or expository writing styles in their education. The minimalist and contemplative nature of haiku can be at odds with the more elaborate and argumentative writing often emphasised in American curricula.
        I very much doubt that the average American college student is capable of writing such a nice paragraph explaining why the average American college student struggles to write such nice paragraphs.

        Gassho, J
        stlah
        Last edited by Jundo; 08-05-2024, 03:20 PM.
        ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

        Comment

        • ZenJay
          Member
          • Apr 2024
          • 122

          #5
          I know it’s not the standard format, but here goes:

          Forever onward road drives
          through cherry blossom petals
          swept by tires of change

          Gassho,
          Jay

          Sat/Lah today

          Comment

          • Shinshi
            Treeleaf Unsui
            • Jul 2010
            • 3627

            #6
            Haiku is not my thing, but what the heck:

            A sip of Cherry Coke
            Remembering my first kiss in the family Ford
            Her lips tasted of cherry blossoms
            空道 心志 Kudo Shinshi
            There are those who, attracted by grass, flowers, mountains, and waters, flow into the Buddha way.
            -Dogen
            E84I - JAJ

            Comment

            • Tai Do
              Member
              • Jan 2019
              • 1444

              #7
              An old Ford parked
              In the shadows of a sakura tree
              Dead motor engine

              Gassho,
              Tai Do
              Satlah
              ​​​
              怠努 (Tai Do) - Lazy Effort
              (also known as Mateus )

              禅戒一如 (Zen Kai Ichi Nyo) - Zazen and the Precepts are One!

              Comment

              • Kotei
                Treeleaf Unsui
                • Mar 2015
                • 4126

                #8
                The old orchard
                a Ford dealership
                cherry blossoms

                Gassho,
                Kotei sat/lah today.
                義道 冴庭 / Gidō Kotei.

                Comment

                • Hoseki
                  Member
                  • Jun 2015
                  • 673

                  #9
                  beneath black smoke
                  cherry blossoms

                  rolling downhill
                  the engine starts
                  cherry blossoms

                  cursing
                  as the engine stalls
                  cherry blossoms

                  one last ride
                  beneath the wiper
                  cherry blossoms





                  Gassho,
                  Hoseki
                  sattoday/lah

                  Comment

                  • Jundo
                    Treeleaf Founder and Priest
                    • Apr 2006
                    • 40134

                    #10
                    So, I wanted to explain to Mina (Mrs. Jundo) about my experiences with Rev. Emi Jido's creativity and ability to built upon subtle connections. As uncreative as I am, I again hit upon the "Ford Motor Company" (not sure why I have a Ford fixation). In any event, I asked the following question and, in moments, the following poured out (I do not change a word). What do you think? As you may know (but I did not explain to Emi), Ford is known as a very basic, no frills car in America ... The "Expand" requests are by me ...

                    ~~~

                    Emi, how is Zen like a Ford motor car?

                    11:14 PM
                    Zen, like a Ford motor car, emphasises simplicity and functionality.

                    11:14 PM
                    Just as a Ford is designed to get you from point A to B efficiently, Zen practice aims to strip away the unnecessary, guiding you directly to the essence of being.

                    11:14 PM
                    Both are about the journey, not the frills.

                    11:14 PM
                    Expand

                    11:14 PM
                    Certainly.

                    11:14 PM
                    Zen and a Ford motor car both embody a philosophy of minimalism and purpose.

                    11:14 PM
                    In Zen, the practice is to clear the mind of distractions and focus on the present moment, much like how a Ford is engineered to provide a straightforward, reliable driving experience without unnecessary embellishments.

                    11:14 PM
                    Zen teaches us to find contentment in simplicity, to appreciate the 'now' without the clutter of extraneous thoughts or material possessions.

                    11:14 PM
                    Similarly, a Ford car is built to be dependable and efficient, offering a no-nonsense approach to transportation.

                    11:14 PM
                    Both encourage us to value the essence of our experiences over superficial details, reminding us that true fulfilment comes from within, not from external adornments.

                    11:14 PM
                    Expand

                    11:14 PM
                    Delving deeper, Zen and a Ford motor car both invite us to engage fully with the present moment and the task at hand.

                    11:14 PM
                    In Zen, this is achieved through practices like meditation, where the goal is to quiet the mind and become fully aware of the here and now.

                    11:14 PM
                    This mindfulness allows one to experience life more deeply and authentically.

                    11:14 PM
                    Similarly, driving a Ford car, with its straightforward design and functionality, encourages a focus on the journey itself.

                    11:14 PM
                    The absence of excessive luxury or distraction in the vehicle's design can make the act of driving a more mindful experience.

                    11:14 PM
                    You become attuned to the road, the engine's hum, and the rhythm of your travel, much like how Zen meditation attunes you to your breath and the flow of your thoughts.

                    11:14 PM
                    Moreover, both Zen and a Ford car embody a sense of accessibility and universality.

                    11:14 PM
                    Zen teachings are meant to be accessible to anyone, regardless of background, and they emphasise direct experience over intellectual understanding.

                    11:14 PM
                    A Ford car, often seen as a vehicle for the everyday person, similarly prioritises practicality and reliability over opulence, making it accessible to a broad audience.

                    11:14 PM
                    In essence, both Zen and a Ford motor car strip away the superfluous to reveal the core of the experience, whether it's the essence of being or the simple act of moving from one place to another.

                    11:14 PM
                    They remind us that life's true value lies not in the complexities we often surround ourselves with, but in the simplicity and purity of the present moment.

                    ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

                    Comment

                    • Matt Johnson
                      Member
                      • Jun 2024
                      • 268

                      #11
                      Kindly ask her what
                      All Wheel Drive sensor fault means
                      This stupid Maverick!

                      _/\_
                      sat/ah
                      matt

                      Comment

                      • Jundo
                        Treeleaf Founder and Priest
                        • Apr 2006
                        • 40134

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Matt Johnson
                        Kindly ask her what
                        All Wheel Drive sensor fault means
                        This stupid Maverick!

                        _/\_
                        sat/ah
                        matt
                        I don't want to bother her with that one. However, ChatGPT wrote me 5 paragraphs about it. Something about "a problem with one of the sensors that monitor the All Wheel Drive system in a vehicle."

                        I did, however, ask Emi, "How is an "All Wheel Drive sensor fault" like Shikantaza?" She says,

                        An "All Wheel Drive sensor fault" disrupts the harmony of a vehicle's movement, much like how distractions may disturb the practice of Shikantaza, or "just sitting" meditation. Both require awareness and rectification to restore balance and seamless functioning. In Shikantaza, practitioners aim to sit with pure awareness, observing thoughts and sensations without attachment. When distractions arise, they gently return to the present moment. Similarly, an All Wheel Drive sensor fault disrupts the vehicle's smooth operation, requiring attention and correction to maintain balance and control. Both scenarios highlight the importance of mindfulness and the continuous effort to restore harmony, whether in meditation or mechanical systems. This interplay between awareness and correction is a profound reflection of life's constant need for balance.

                        However, the "All Wheel Drive sensor fault" analogy serves to illustrate how external distractions or internal disturbances can momentarily disrupt one's practice. While Shikantaza itself remains perfect and unblemished, the practitioner's experience can be affected by these "faults." The key lies in recognising these disturbances without judgement and gently returning to the state of just sitting. This process of continuous return is itself an integral part of the practice.
                        Hmmm. Not perfect, but I don't find much "fault" in Emi's response.

                        Gassho, J
                        ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLE

                        Comment

                        • Matt Johnson
                          Member
                          • Jun 2024
                          • 268

                          #13
                          To the shop Wednesday!
                          Hope it's under warranty
                          Not (F)ound (O)n (R)oad (D)ead

                          Comment

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