[ExI] Zen (Was: Morality and function fitting)

[spike]

Subject: Re: [ExI] Zen (Was: Morality and function fitting)

On Tue, 3 Jan 2012, Ben Zaiboc wrote:

> Anders wrote:
> 
> >Zen might have a point:
> >'Master Kyogen said, "It is like a man up a tree who hangs from a 
> >branch by his mouth. His hands cannot grasp a bough, his feet cannot 
> >touch the tree. Another man comes under the tree and asks him the 
> >meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the West. If he does not answer, 
> >he does not meet the questioner's need. If he answers, he will lose 
> >his life. At such a time, how should he answer?"'
> 
> Zen can be so stupid sometimes.  I'm with Bart Simpson ("the sound of 
> one hand clapping?  Easy!":  <Bart claps one hand>)
> 
> Ben Zaiboc

Bart would get this one too.  A person can speak to some extent without
unclenching the jaw.  Try it.  Like one hand clapping, it isn't as effective
as the normal means, but it would suffice to say to the questioner, "Move
directly under me please."

spike