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Favorite koans, stories or metaphors

Malachy12Malachy12
edited April 2011 in General Banter
This is a lighthearted question... What is your favorite story, koan or metaphor? I find myself in situations in life when my western metaphors are replaced by eastern sayings, koans, or little metaphor stories. Sometimes I slip when talking to someone else like "Hey dad, it's like the 2 monks that approached a woman needing a lift across the river... er wait, you haven't heard this one...". I enjoy these little Buddhist sayings because they help you to think, or even articulate a meaning you are trying to get across. I have lots of little books filled with these sayings (I cross out one's that are "blah", and circle the ones that make me say "oooh!"). What's your favorite? (mine's the monk carrying the woman across the river, and the western "you can't beat a dead horse")

Comments

  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    I like the one about the zen master and student that went boating. They came to a great fishing spot and the student said, hmmm I like this fishing spot so I am going to mark on the boat where we found it. "you dolt" the master replied. "we might get a different boat next time". They both being dolts as the spot is always moving.
  • Malachy12Malachy12
    ooh I like it, I never heard that one
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited April 2011
    Another one there were two americans who were traveling in the east somewhere. They were in a shrine room and one american said to the other. "Buddhism teaches non-attachment so I'm going to spit on this shrine." The other agreed and just as they spit a native monk came in the shrine room. "What are you doing" he said. So they explained what they were doing. "ok" he said. "you spit. I'll bow."
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    One of my favorites is a favorite as it is short and sweet, but it can help you in your life in many situations. I am sure many of the people on this board ave heard it before, ''anger is like that of a hot coal, the longer you hold onto it, the longer it will persist to burn and cause you to suffer. Simply let go..''
  • Malachy12Malachy12
    @ThailandTom ahh! I actually used that on my brother, and he replied "Unless I quickly throw it at you."
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    lol, I have never heard that reply before. But then you would still have a slightly burnt hand and bring a second person into the suffering, so maybe it is even worse...
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