4/6/2023 0 Comments Koan list one hand clapping![]() ![]() So, how do you hit Man Gong's net? How do you take away Man Gong's idea? Man Gong's idea made the net. If you touch this fishing hook ,you will have a big problem! It's just like a boxing match: hit, hit, hit. It drops down a large (000 size) hook for you. "I caught a big fish" is a strong teaching style. Even if you are a Buddha, if you have thinking, you cannot escape the net. This net is life and death and includes everything. But if you are thinking, if you still have I, my, me and checking mind, then you cannot get out of the net. If you practice strongly, don't make anything and don't want anything, then you can attain no hindrance. ![]() Zen Master Man Gong always taught his students not to make anything. One said, "The sky is blue, the grass is green." Another said, "Already got out how are you, great Zen Master?" From the back of the room a monk shouted, "Don't make net!" Many answers were given, but to each Man Gong only replied, "Aha! I've caught a BIG fish!" So, how do you get out of Man Gong's net? How do you get out of this net? Some students shouted, "KATZ!" Others hit the floor or raised a fist. It is very strong and can catch all Buddhas, Patriarchs and human beings. That's wonderful! As for me, I had nothing to do, so I made a net. "All winter long you monks practiced very hard. One day, Zen Master Man Gong sat on the high rostrum and gave the speech to mark the end of the three month winter retreat. ![]() I'm going to c/p for those who didn't click through: The deeper I get into answering it and correcting my answer, the more expansive my understanding becomes of just how detached I have been from my true self. Do you understand? No? Then sit down and meditate some more on the sound of one hand. You have just made the sound of one hand. So what is the sound of one hand? Hold out your hand. Zen has nothing special to teach you but to look at the world with a clear mind. What sound is it making? It's that easy to answer. You have a hand! You have ears! Look at your hand. Our minds go in circles, and we slap the floor and shout and treat the simple question like it's some sort of mystical doorway to an alternate reality. It's very amazing that it takes the beginning student so long to answer this koan. What is the sound of one hand?" not "one hand clapping" That is correct, the koan asks, "You know two hands coming together make a clapping sound. (Also it might help to know the question is "the sound of one hand", not "the sound of one hand clapping".) They aren't riddles that have a set answer it's really the state of mind that penetrates the koan that is the goal, and a koan's answer will vary by individual. They force the mind to break down such barriers and reveal the truth directly. ![]()
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