Topic: The Enlightened Man

[nichi]

The Enlightened Man

    Shogen asked: `Why does the enlightened man not stand on his feet and explain himself?'
    And he also said: `It is not necessary for speech to come from the tongue.'

     

     

http://www.ibiblio.org/zen/cgi-bin/koan.pl

[daphne]

    Shogen asked: `Why does the enlightened man not stand on his feet and explain himself?'
    And he also said: `It is not necessary for speech to come from the tongue.'

I like this, Nichi. Good for pondering on! Thanks!   

[tommy2]

Are not explanations really just justifications for our inventories?

Descriptions, rather, are extensions of our Intent.

t2f

[nichi]

What a day of freedom, when we no longer have to explain, even to ourselves....

[Michael]

true true, but I took note of DJ saying there is a special skill in linking up the word centre with the knowing centre (or something like that). There is a skill in being able to articulate knowledge - it is never a complete match for enlightened experience, but nonetheless is worth arriving at. Explanations shouldn't be a hands in the air affair - we should strive to get it happening. Although I do confess to throwing my hands and rolling my eyes a lot at this task.

[daphne]

Although I do confess to throwing my hands and rolling my eyes a lot at this task.

heh.. "it is not neccessary for speech to come from the tongue"..   

[Michael]

too true daphne,
but the ability to use the tongue like a musical instrument is a great joy,

and a word in the right place can change one.

I have always been very impressed with CC's renditions - his words, esp those of DJ, have moved me in ways no other words have.

[Michael]

I love that pic vickles - i am very fond of those zen like japanese and chinese paintings.