[Arts] Cherry Blossom and Ford motor cars

[Kokuu]

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]

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

Gassho,

Ryūmon (Kirk)

Sat Lah

[Matt Johnson]

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

_/\_

sat/ah

Matt

[Jundo]

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

[ZenJay]

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

[Shinshi]

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

[Tai Do]

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

Gassho,
Tai Do
Satlah

[Kotei]

The old orchard
a Ford dealership
cherry blossoms

Gassho,
Kotei sat/lah today.

[Hoseki]

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

[Jundo]

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.

[Matt Johnson]

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

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Jundo]

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

[Matt Johnson]

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