LM_NET: Library Media Networking
M.Overmire wrote:
>> A teacher has asked me to find out what the word is that describes a
>> question with no answer?
>> I.E. If a tree fell in the woods and no one was there to hear it would it
>> make a sound? or What is the sound of one hand clapping?
I believe these are classic examples of Zen Buddhist koan. According to
Grolier's 1996 Multimedia Encyclopedia:
"In Zen Buddhism, a koan (literally, a public case) is a theme for
meditation used by masters to help their disciples break through the
barriers of intellect to achieve enlightenment. There are about 1,700
popular koans, which usually consist of a saying from a great Zen master or
his answer to a question."
I remember that the Buddhist sequence from "The Long Search" (a 12 or 13
part series shown on PBS in the 70s about the worlds' great religions)
showed a Zen master listening to his disciples' responses to the koans.
Laura K. Brendon
Program Coordinator, Edgar Dale Media Center, Ohio State University
29 W. Woodruff, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
lbrendon@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (614) 292-1177
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My messages represent my views -- not OSU's or the Center's.
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