Which Clap would you Most Like To Eat?

What is the sound of one hand clapping? (stina)

A single hand clapping has no sound in itself, but is capable of producing much sound. Take a simple gesture in the presence of a friend, for example, producing an exclamation of greeting or some such similar sound. Or perhaps we may consider the one-handed gesture of Hitler which produced sounds of great multitudes of people applauding and caused sounds which I will not mention here. If you prefer to refer to the origin of the question, the response would be this:

What is the Sound of the Single Hand? When you clap together both hands a sharp sound is heard; when you raise the one hand there is neither sound nor smell. Is this the High Heaven of which Confucius speaks? Or is it the essentials of what Yamamba describes in these words: "The echo of the completely empty valley bears tidings heard from the soundless sound?" This is something that can by no means be heard with the ear. If conceptions and discriminations are not mixed within it and it is quite apart from seeing, hearing, perceiving, and knowing, and if, while walking, standing, sitting, and reclining, you proceed straightforwardly without interruption in the study of this koan, you will suddenly pluck out the karmic root of birth and death and break down the cave of ignorance. Thus you will attain to a peace in which the phoenix has left the golden net and the crane has been set free of the basket. At this time the basis of mind, consciousness, and emotion is suddenly shattered; the realm of illusion with its endless sinking in the cycle of birth and death is overturned. The treasure accumulation of the Three Bodies and the Four Wisdoms is taken away, and the miraculous realms of the Six Supernatural Powers and Three Insights is transcended.
From p. 164, Yabukoji, in The Zen Master Hakuin: Selected Writings, Translated by Philip B. Yampolsky, Columbia University Press, New York and London, 1971.

What are your three favorite foods and what settings would you like to eat them
in? (lindsey)

The first of my favorite foods would be taco soup around the table with my family. The second would be any kind of Thai food with Deb and Nat and any setting would be fine. Third would be snacky foods like wheat thins and apples with friends who happen to think alike *smile*

Question for you:

You have the best teacher in the world who can teach you anything you want to know. What do you most want to be taught?

Clap for your favorite food. ;)

What are your three favorite foods and what settings would you like to eat them
in? (Lindsey)

This question is totally dependant upon time and space, but as of this moment number on the list would have to be Chocolate pudding pops. The only place to eat these is laying on your back on the peer at camp Silverbrook, with your jean legs rolled up and one leg dangling over the edge into the water, watching the fish nibble at your toes. My second favorite is mango, and I could eat mango anywhere. The best place though is in tropical areas because then it is fresh and SO good. I had this when I was in Puerto Rico right off the tree. Fresh papaya however good for you might be, tastes like feet and is gross. OK last choice...ooh this is a tuffy. I really like the mac and cheese from the chancery. Mac and cheese is only good if it has the crumbs on top! (well ok maybe i can deal without, but that is really good!) The best place to eat it of course is at the chancery, on a warm rainy day with my family. We used to go there a lot, something about it feels a little like home.

What is the sound of one hand clapping? (Stina)

Potentially there isnt any "sound" of one hand clapping because the vibrations from your hand swinging at the air causes vibrations, but the sound of the rushing atoms never reach the hairs in your ear. It's only sound if you can actually hear it. Thus, I will say that instead of a sound, one hand clapping causes only silence (the absence there of) and therefore is the equivalent of many other actions, like a smile or a frown, or so many other things that are silent. I tend to think that silence, is more something you can feel rather than hear (well...obviously you cant hear it if its the absence of sound.) Ah ten minutes is up.

Next week: Soon you will be a teacher, all graduated and certified, but in the grand scheme of things these measures are mere legalities. Certified or not, what is the most important thing you have to teach?

Instructions

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