Zen Buddhism and Bart Simpson? :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Zen Buddhism and baronet Simpson?Professors comment The following raise is only one of a series of mind-bending ones that Rob wrote for my class, attempts that show not just a quirky sense of humor yet also a razor-sharp intellect and distinctive voice. This particular essay was written in response to an assignment asking savants to explain a concept. From the first line of this essay, I knew I was on to something special how numerous people would choose to explain an element of Zen Buddhism using Bart Simpson? And the essay does not disappoint. Bart Simpson, Americas favorite joyous smart-aleck kid, replied to the famous use up/write head What is the sound of one hand clapping? by slapping the fingers of his right hand against his right palm, creating a loose flapping noise. learn around and youll find only a few people with this genius (I am one of the lucky ones able to accomplish this feat). But the question becomes am I and my fellow smug-single-hand-clappers missing t he point? That, my friend, is a snort respectable question. The sound of one hand clappingis a koan. Zen Buddhistic masters use these paradoxical stories or questions to force their pupils to slough rationalness in favor of sudden enlightenment. Koans are designed to be nonsensical, shocking, or humorous. So are koans serious or fun? Another good question, but a strikingly Western one. why must sincerity and fun be mutually exclusive? Why are we so serious about whether seriousness and fun are mutually exclusive? All koans. We Americans can learn a lot by perusal these little buggers. Pure Reason has failed to answer questions of how, or more importantly, whywe should live. Sadly, galore(postnominal) people also see learning (or thinking) as a dry, wearisome act. Perhaps our teachers need to tell us not merely what they do know, but what they dont know. Zen masters were not aghast(predicate) to do as much. Koans sneak up on you. Each koan is a well-wrapped c hocolate Easter egg of wisdom that reveals itself in layers. The first is each pure titillation, or a slap in the face. Try to read the following without smirking (1) Wakuan complained when he saw a picture of bearded Bodhidarma, Why hasnt that fellow a beard?1 (2) A student asked Joshu, If I havent anything in my mind, what shall I do?