Household Anarchy

[Nephew Twiddleton]

Nope. I dont have time to read vinegar in the foreseeable future. Just a nutshell explanation will do. Obviously it went over our heads.

[Hollis Increase]

The very definition of a koan necessitates its meaning relies on the absence of explanation.  If it is explained, it loses its intention.  But, in the spirit of non-attachment, I'll explain and consequently destroy its meaning, and thereby impart nothing to you.

Tosui the Zen Master left his monastery to live with beggars.  He had a concerned friend who was worried that, as Tosui became more frail and elderly, Tosui would be unable to sustain himself as a beggar.  So, his friend taught him to make vinegar from rice, which Tosui sold or bartered to make a living for himself.  Some time later, a beggar friend of his gave him a picture of Buddha.  Tosui placed the picture on the wall of his very small hut with a sign beside it that read Buddha, my hut is quite small.  I can let you stay here as a transient, but don't believe I am asking you for help being reborn into your paradise. 

Now, when one reads this koan, ideally there should be a fleeting sense of understanding the wisdom within it - only fleeting.  Once that fleeting understanding has passed, its gone.  That is the essence of a koan.  Thinking about the story beyond that fleeting moment only brings one farther away from its meaning.  Shall I go on?

[Nephew Twiddleton]

I get the purpose of koans. But this list has no obvious meaning as one as far as i can tell. Is it wiser to waste mental energy on trying to figure it out eventually going "oh! I get it!" but then not really be sure i get it because you cant explain it to me or is it wiser to say i dont see any potential for hidden meaning or wisdom. Why dont you tell me your insights since you came up with the thing and maybe it will help you compose it in a more thought provoking presentation.?

[Hollis Increase]

1) You should not try to figure it out.  You should do the opposite of trying to figure it out.

2) There is no hidden meaning.  There is only awareness and an inadequate method of describing that awareness (i.e. language).  A koan attempts to transcend the code of language and impart a direct understanding, if only briefly.

3) Hasn't the thing provoked thought?

[Salty]

1) You should not try to figure it out.  You should do the opposite of trying to figure it out.

2) There is no hidden meaning.  There is only awareness and an inadequate method of describing that awareness (i.e. language).  A koan attempts to transcend the code of language and impart a direct understanding, if only briefly.

3) Hasn't the thing provoked thought?

Done and done.

[Doktor Howl]

1) You should not try to figure it out. 

You should go fix your plagiarization in Principia Discussion. 

[Doktor Howl]

Don't think for a moment that I'm asking you psuedo-hipsters to help me be reborn in your "discordian" paradise.

We have a live one.

[Doktor Howl]

1) You should not try to figure it out. 

You should go fix your plagiarization in Principia Discussion.

You know what?  Fuck it.  Thread nuked.

Try that shit again, and you're gone.

[Doktor Howl]

The very definition of a koan necessitates its meaning relies on the absence of explanation.

I still don't get it.  How is a list of household chemicals and their potential use as harmful objects a "koan"?

You ride a tallbike, don't you?

[Nephew Twiddleton]

So i should not try and understand it and there is no meaning. Whats the point? And no its not thought provoking if by your own admission there is no meaning.

[Freeky]

Dude, i try not to make judgements like I'm about to, but you're a retard.

[Hollis Increase]

The very definition of a koan necessitates its meaning relies on the absence of explanation.

You ride a tallbike, don't you?

No.  But I rode the short bus to school.

[Doktor Howl]

Dude, i try not to make judgements like I'm about to, but you're a retard.

He's like a cheesehead AKK.

[Doktor Howl]

The very definition of a koan necessitates its meaning relies on the absence of explanation.

You ride a tallbike, don't you?

No.  But I rode the short bus to school.

I notice you failed to answer my question.

Wait.  Trix, is that you?

[Hollis Increase]

"Some episkoposes have a one-man cabal. Some work together. Some never do explain."

--Principia Discordia