Koans You

[disastermouse]

Re: Koans You

I agree with Jundo about koans, and Taigu too. I think they are able to be misused in a way that shikantaza is not susceptible to being misused. Koans and teacher pass/fail input can really anchor the idea that, by god, you're getting somewhere, man... Also, many people think they're enigmatic riddles when really (IMHO) they are often very straightforward expressions.

The best koans are 'in this moment koans' like 'I hate my job but I don't want to be homeless.' or 'I'm justified in going to war against my teacher in the name of the peace of enlightenment.'

Chet

[Taigu]

Re: Koans You

Yes, Chet, I really like "I hate my job but I don't want to be homeless". This is the kind of thing we face everyday.

There is a big evidence that Dogen never wanted people to play with koans when sitting: we should check his poetry as he describes his zazen so often...Read again the Fukanzazengi, where there is no mention of koan practice during sitting. It is true that it is mentioned by Keizan in the Zazen-jojinki but as a possibility to settle and focus the mind.

I would suggest also to read the following teaching of Suzuki roshi about Soto and Rinzai:


http://suzukiroshi.sfzc.org/dharma-talk ... 2#more-762

gassho


Taigu

[Shokai]

Re: Koans You

Time's tailor has never made a robe for anyone
Without then slashing it to pieces.
See how the million fools of this world
Pay Satan heaps of gold for pain!
Don't stretch out your legs on this earth-carpet,
It is a borrowed bed; fear that day
His messengers come to roll it up forever.
How can you go on gazing at the body's dust?
Search out the Horseman of the Soul!
Train your vision with passion and longing,
And see the Horseman at the heart of this dust-storm!
- Rumi 1207-73

[Saijun]

Re: Koans You

Hello friends,

I realize I'm a bit late to the discussion, but I only now saw it (thank you, Shokai, for posting Rumi's poem).

In answer to the OP, in my life the only koan I've found worth holding on to is "what do I do right now?" An "in the moment" (thank you Chet) koan that encompasses all moments, all koans.

It has also, on occasion, stripped away some deeply held ignorance in a pretty violent fashion. Just the medicine I needed.

Metta and Gassho,

Saijun