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What is the secret of (Zen) wisdom?  email this discussion to a friend?

myLot reputation of 82/100. VVroom (157)   ranked 537 out of 4,279 in thinker 3 years ago

There is a very short Zen story that goes like this:

Once there was a well known philosopher who devoted himself to the study of Zen for many many years. One day he finally attained enlightenment. Then, he took all of his books out into the courtyard, thousands of them and burned them all.

This is the story. Think deep about it's meanings because it is about our everyday life. What do you think?

 

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tags:  enlightenment, zen, book, life, philosophy
 
1. myLot reputation of 90/100. linamachina (309)   ranked 669 out of 4,279 in thinker   3 years ago

Hi VVroom, okay, anyone who burns books can not be enlightened (joke, poor one in light of your discussion but it was the first thing that came to my head). Having said that, my response to your discussions is as follows. The philosopher, if truly devoting himself to the study of Zen would realize that only by focusing on himself, through meditation and not seeking any external answers could he truly become enlightened. If one were to follow the true path of Zen teachings, then the written book would have no merit to attaining enlightment. So, if upon his enlightenment, he may have burned all his books as they were external influences. So in relation to everyday life, the answers we seek are within ourselves and not to let the external forces get in the way of our way of life.


myLot reputation of 82/100. VVroom (157)   ranked 537 out of 4,279 in thinker  3 years ago

That's right. Any external tool we are using is just indicating the path to the white rabbit hole. Once we get inside, which is not easy at all, we don't need any more indications. We already start to KNOW things (zen) and not anymore KNOWING ABOUT things. I love your last sentence: the answers we seek are within ourselves not outside of us.


myLot reputation of 90/100. linamachina (309)   ranked 669 out of 4,279 in thinker  3 years ago

Thanks, though writing down the answer is much easier than actually practicing it.

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2. LightWarrior (73)   3 years ago

:)) that thing about 'a man who attained enlightenment doesn't burn books' came to my mind too! nice synchronicity going on:)) recently I came across an interesting story that says just about what your zen story is saying. You can see it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7icAFa8fdLY and here (it's in 2 parts) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yymdkfDVm-E
People carry too much baggage around. Wise men travel light, so their road is easy. Of course, at that point (enlightenment) you know you don't need anything, so it comes naturally to 'travel light'. It's harder for us, the others. We still need the books... even the zen master first studied (books and his own self) and THEN attained enlightenment.


myLot reputation of 82/100. VVroom (157)   ranked 537 out of 4,279 in thinker  3 years ago

Oh, the movie is genious. Thanks for sharing the links in here. People, click on those two links and watch miss tutli putli. There's a lot of wisdom in this cartoon.


myLot reputation of 82/100. VVroom (157)   ranked 537 out of 4,279 in thinker  3 years ago

I watched it one more time. The scene from the beginning with that without ending long row of every things...wow, fabulous!

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