Asked and answered

[Jundo]

You have to take it in the context in which it is said. Since this is in a Zen forum the topic may be emptiness. Questions give rise to answers. A question creates duality if it is answered in a western type of way. For example, “who is is on first?”can be asking what is the name of the person who is on first base but in the story given the answer to the question is the question. “Who” is on first. “Who” is the name of the player on first base. The king asks, then the monk tries to figure out if it is a duality or a singularity question. The king says it is a singularity question and the monk answer the singularity answer (question=answer). In emptiness there are no questions and answers, there is just...

My 2 cents.

Gassho, Jishin, __/stlah\__

In the Mahayana, 1st base is 2nd and 3rd base is the outfield is home plate. The ball fully contains the whole stadium, and every seat holds all the spectators. One hits the ball, runs to the pitcher's mound, 5th base, the hot dog stand, parking lot and into the locker room ... an ALWAYS-AT-HOME RUN all the way. No place to go, nothing to get, no pitcher, no batter and no field.

Nonetheless, also, 1st base is 1st base, not 2nd or 3rd. 3rd Base is 3rd base, not 1st or second. One hits the ball and runs clockwise, not any other way.

Play Ball!

(A modern baseball Koan)

Capping Phrase: Bases are loaded, bottom of the ninth, score tied.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Jishin]

[emoji3]

[Shokai]

There's no (c)tying in baseball

Gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Jundo]

There's no (c)tying in baseball

Gassho, Shokai
stlah

Okay, that's another Koan. What's "(c)tying" ??

Gassho, J

STlah

[Shokai]

Vague reference to "a League of there own" Coach Tom Hanks tells third baseman 'There's no crying in Baseball'
OK so it's a weak pun with a silent "c"

Trully good movie tho, probably my third best after "summer of 42" and "Mr. Baseball" Oops, maybe forth if you count "Life of Brian"

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Margherita]

Thank you all who answered: I read your answers and with humility I retire to my chamber. I have lots to learn, when it comes to koans I just get irritated because some look quite stupid or pointless (like this one) to me. But I realised it is because of my ignorance and fear (literally... I ignore how to take koans and I get scared because I don't want to look stupid) that I don't even try understanding them.

Gassho,
Mags
ST

[Risho]

have lots to learn

Yes!!!!

when it comes to koans I just get irritated because some look quite stupid or pointless (like this one) to me. But I realised it is because of my ignorance and fear (literally... I ignore how to take koans and I get scared because I don't want to look stupid) that I don't even try understanding them.

YES!!!!!

me too on all of the above. I used to get that way, especially with Dogen. But it's ok - just keep reading it and studying and most importantly sitting. That's what it means to "just sit with". When we come upon things in our practice that are difficult, it's ok; just keep going.

Jakuden nailed this:

It can take some time to be ok with the urge to intellectually understand these exchanges. They can be skillful means for someone who is ready to let the words go, but they can also be frustrating for newcomers to Zen who aren't yet "in" on the joke, so if you are one of those, just read the wonderful explanations here and then let it go and trust that it will make more "right-brained sense" later. Even those of us who grok it to some extent need to practice with the lesson continually.

We are all beginners.

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

[Margherita]

Thanks, Risho

Gassho,
Mags ST