Gautama's dharma was intended as a self help aid to end psychological suffering.īut when Buddhism was brought to China and later to Japan and Korea, the emperor didn't want a large population of beggars, perhaps 10% of the population, seeking enlightenment instead of working and paying taxes. Giving up position in his own caste, he openly taught his wisdom to anyone of any caste and even women and gave simple examples based upon the ability of the listener to understand. Master Gautama was born a prince, but he renounced his comfortable life and became a beggar in the forests of Nepal. This also demonstrates that without such outside forces, our mind can create an appropriate reaction the mental "sound" of one hand clapping. The second hand is a metaphor for our senses and ego, the sound made is that which is produced when our mind and senses strike with these outside forces and translate them into something we as humans can perceive. The master is conveying the point that sound and other physical phenomenon are just our mind's interpretation of outside stimuli or forces. Finally, in a moment of satori, he exclaimed : " I have heard sound without sound!" It is said that a young monk given this question to ponder responded by attempting to use his hand to strike a gong and play various musical instruments, all of which were declined as answers by the master. What is the true meditation? It is to make everything: coughing, swallowing, waving the arms, motion, stillness, words, action, the evil and the good, prosperity and shame, gain and loss, right and wrong, into one single koan. Hakuin is credited with aiding in moving Zen into the urban life which was emerging at the time of his life. This question was asked by Master Hakuin (1686-1769). Translated by Yasuda Joshu Dainen roshi and Anzan Hoshin roshi used with permission (Xuedou says, “Calm seas, clear rivers.”) (Xuedou says, “A mountain monk’s staff.”)
(Xuedou says, “ Soundless sound of one hand.”) Go to him and ask him.”Īfter the National Teacher’s death, the emperor summoned Danyuan and asked him about it. The National Teacher said, “I have a disciple who has received my Transmission, Danyuan. The National Teacher was silent for a long time and then he said, “Do you understand?”
The emperor said, “Master, please tell me what style to build it in?” The National Teacher answered, “Build this old monk a seamless stupa.”
#The sound of one hand clapping koan series#
In its correct form, it is simply, "What is the sound of one hand?" This means, what does this hand, this eye, this foot, this breath, tell you about who and what you are? The phrase did not originate with Hakuin but was popularized by him and used as one of the miscellaneous koan practised before the Gateless Gate, the Blue Cliff Records series and so on.Īn early ( Song dynasty) occurence of the phrase is in Case 18 of the Blue Cliff Records, as follows:Įmperor Suzong asked National Teacher Huizhong, “After you die, what shall I do to honour you?” The phrase "the sound of one hand" does not involve clapping or anything of that nature. A Zen koan primarily associated with Hakuin Ekaku zenji, the Japanese Tokugawa era revitalizer of Rinzai Zen.
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