Zen Humorin Six Easy Steps

Professor Hoffert(a.k.a. Babbling Brook)

I. Know When to SpeakThe Daoist Roots of Zen

Humor

One who knows does not speak;One who speaks does not know!

[Daodejing 56]

知者不言，言者不知。

II. Is this Funny Yet?Nan-in Pours Some Tea

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. . .

II. Is this Funny Yet?Nan-in Pours Some Tea

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!” “Like this cup,” Nan-in said, “you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”

III. The Freedom of Emptiness

The Dao of “Not-Knowing”Once Zhuang Zhou [i.e. Zhuangzi] dreamt he

was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn’t know he was Zhuang Zhou. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable Zhuang Zhou. But he didn’t know if he was Zhuang Zhou who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was Zhuang Zhou. Between Zhuang Zhou and a butterfly there must be some distinction! This is called the Transformation of Things.

IV. Try “Not-Trying”Mazu Learns a Lesson

Mazu was residing in the monastery of Dembo-in where he sat constantly in meditation. The master, aware that he was a vessel of the Dharma, went to him and asked, “Virtuous one, for what purpose are you sitting in meditation?” Mazu answered: “I wish to become a Buddha.” Thereupon the master picked up a tile and started rubbing it on a stone in front of the hermitage. Mazuasked: “What is the Master doing?” Themaster replied: “I am polishing [this tile] tomake a mirror.” “How can you make a mirrorby polishing a tile?” exclaimed Mazu. “Andhow can you make a Buddha by practicingzazen?” countered the master.

V. The Art of EloquenceHearing the Sound of

SilenceButei, Emperor of Ryo, sent for Fu-daishi to explain the Diamond Sutra. On the appointed day Fu-daishi came to the palace, mounted a platform, rapped the table before him, then descended and, still not speaking, left. Butei sat motionless for some minutes, whereupon Shiko, who had seen all that happened, went up to him and said, “May I be so bold, sir, as to ask whether you understood?” The Emperor sadly shook his head. “What a pity!” Shiko exclaimed. “Fu-daishi has never been more eloquent.”知者不言，言者不知。

VI. The PunchlineNanzen & the Cat

Once the monks of the Eastern Hallwere disputing about a cat. . .

VI. The PunchlineNanzen & the Cat

Did you get it?