The Fireplace Records, Chapter 19
The Roshi's Clapping Cell Phone
"What is the sound of one hand clapping? asked Hakuin Ekaku in 1740.
Thousands of monks and householders have introspected this famous Zen Koan Case since 1740. They pounded on tables with one hand, tapped their staff against the floor with one hand, and came up with many wordy replies to reveal the sound of one hand clapping.
After years of study with Hakuin, after satisfactory revealing the spiritual and psychic impact of the koans, after achieving enlightenment, and after following the Dharma Path thereafter, Hakuin would award his close friend/student, his Dharma heir, with a painting of a whisk and dragon staff.
Of course, the mind does the clapping itself, patting ourselves on the back with one hand, cheering us on, applauding our daily efforts.
Bravo! With one hand or two hands clapping, no matter, show your respect and appreciation for all our good work.
Haikuin painted with one hand, and applauded his student's efforts and achievements.
My Roshi has a Apple cellphone. His ring tone is the sound of clapping. Naturally, he holds the phone with one hand.
I applaud his Dharma efforts! He needs a pat on the back.
A Student's Considerations:
Different centuries, different ideas and things at hand.
Applaud, clap for, cheer on the good efforts of everyone.
Talking is the father of metaphors.
Practical realists would say that a single hand makes no clapping sound; but, poets and mystics favor playing with entangling expressions. And,
we all hear the sound and know the direct meaning of a pat on the back.
Occasionally, the wrong answer is revealing in new ways.
Even if a pat on the back is not forthcoming, keeping working.
Related Links, Resources, References
Refer to my Cloud Hands Blog Posts on the topic of Koans/Dialogues.
Pulling Onions Over 1,043 One-line Sayings by Mike Garofalo
Chinese Chan Buddhist and Taoist Stories and Koans
Fireplaces, Stoves, Campfires, Kitchens, Pots, Firewood
Brief Spiritual Lessons Database Project: Subject Indexes
Sparks: Brief Spiritual Lessons and Stories
Matches to Start a Kindling of Insight
May the Light from Your Inner Fireplace Help All Beings
Taoist, Chan Buddhist, Zen Buddhist, Philosophers
Catching Phrases, Inspiring Verses, Koans, Meditations
Indexing, Bibliography, Quotations, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo
The Fireplace Records
By Michael P. Garofalo
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