Originally posted by josephwYes. But apparently to reach that "certainty" one must past through the "moment of Great Doubt" There is no "gradual enlightenment" , only a sudden one.
Absolutely.
Would you say that absolute certainty is the prime objective of Zen?
So the closer you get, the greater your doubt becomes.
a Zen student must have absolute conviction and a splash of origonalitiy
Originally posted by karoly aczelZen masters may answer a question in an unexpected fashion. I remember reading about one chap (Danish I think he was) who spent time in a Zen Monastery and had asked a Zen master some convoluted question about the reason for existence. The Master had simply poured the contents of the teapot on to the tatami mat, before nodding wisely.
Zen masters should answer all questions. It's just one of their things. And I do remember Robbie proclaiming.... something about being a zen master
1 edit
Originally posted by Ghost of a DukeLevon Aronian the Armenian super Grandmaster told an interesting story after beating Anish Giri. He had lost the previous game in the Tata steel tournament badly.
Zen masters may answer a question in an unexpected fashion. I remember reading about one chap (Danish I think he was) who spent time in a Zen Monastery and had asked a Zen master some convoluted question about the reason for existence. The Master had simply poured the contents of the teapot on to the tatami mat, before nodding wisely.
A man comes to the Master and asks, please teach me. The master says go outside and stand for sometime until you get a sign. The disciple went outside, it started to rain and the disciple was soaked through. He came back to the master. The master asked him what he learned. I did not learn anything except that I am an idiot for following your teachings. Exactly retorted the master now you realise that you are an idiot, you can begin learning!