Is MUSHIN same as Thoughtless ?
Well, it is not about a Justice / Punishment from the heaven but about the mind-set.
Non
These days our topics were often related to the Riot, and there was an interesting question.
“Wasn’t the mind-set of [senseless] [thoughtless] behaviour, same to the Zen
Buddhist’s [Mushin]. —– What makes the difference between them ? ? ? “
—– in fact, someone who put a comment to the previous post had the same thinking.
And this question has so many implication and the facets.
—– Once, Pablo Picasso said “ Keep drawing like a child is the hardest things in the Art”
—– Then, “what is the difference between [Innocence] or [Ignorance] to the [Mushin] ? “
May be the easiest answer to this question is, just whack the person shouting “Idiot” —– really ?
non
There was an interesting story among the legend of the Sword Masters.
In the Samurai era, top sword-man was roving around the country seeking the contest-match
against each other, in order to achieve the record / reputation. ( And the winner was invited to
give a lesson to the local Lord receiving good reward)
Then, someone got an idea of plank, dressed up an ignorant peasant as a respectable
samurai, claiming that this is the supreme sword-master, and challenging top local
sword-master.
On the match, the peasant was just standing facing real master just having his sword down.
As the peasant had a slightest idea of what the sword-mastery is, he was just standing still.
The challenged was the master who knows everything —– but as the opponent seemed to
standing utterly defenceless —– almost like an idiot (in fact he was an idiot) it made the master
utterly confused. —– no such things could happen here. Otherwise it must be a ploy to make
the master wrong-foot = this man must be a real sword-master and able to kill him instant.
—– it was what the master felt. (To his eyes, the peasant’s utter ignorant appearance, not even
recognize him was seen as the ultimate Mushin only possessed by a supream sword-master 😀 )
Then, the master throw his sword away, and kneel down for begging his life.
—————
The pair prankster succeeded all the contest-match in the same way.
But, after a while, the peasant started to wonder why those famous masters just give up and
kneel down to him. And interested in to use the sword, as he mistook that he is in deed a
strong sword-master and able to kill the opponent.
So that, on the next match, peasant break a stillness and showed a slight sign of intention.
Then, the challenged sword-master instantly reacted to this sign, sway the body to other
direction and cut the peasant into two pieces. (The End 😀 )
non
It is true, even a Zen Master has used a metaphor of the mind of small child
to describe the Mushin and a state of mind of Jizai.
And in the Buddhist’s arguments about the universality / inclusiveness of the Mahayana stance,
this matter —– What is the distinction between [Innocence, Ignorance, Senseless,
Thoughtless] to the [Mushin] is some time mixed-up.
As a matter of fact, when it is convenient, this kind of metaphor has been often used though,
[The Mushin] is a very specific, peculiar state of the mind, nothing similar to any of
those mind. Not just the matter of inclusiveness of the Mahayana, but also the confusion of the
[ What is the Buddhist’s mind] ( before this, What is the Buddhist ? —– there are all sorts of the
Buddhist exists —– Such as to enjoy the life having the eyes to appreciate peaceful nature which
gave a feeling of the liberated mind = could be perfectly the life and the mind of a Buddhist)
—– it has been left out of strict argument.
Non
But in strict term, the Mushin is the state of the mind, which only occurs when our
brain ceased to operate to categorising and reconfiguring the notion. —– yet
able to react to incoming stimulant.
—– In practice, this state of mind can be reached only through the long long repeated
practice which wear out those active, intentional activities of the brain
= thinking process.
And very similar to the treatment of an allergy, those practice also wear out the basic
desire and the emotional reaction = So that, the state of the Mind [ Mind of No-Mind]
= [Mushin] is only strict to [Purely the state of No-Thinking and No-Emotion]
= Dispassionate.
(but not akin to senseless or thoughtless —– because in those cases, senseless / thoughtless
mind is, in fact occupied by another sorts of mind = such as an anger, greed or
overwhelming fanaticism = ideology or madness)
non
=== this definition must have cleared the confusion.
=== the mind of childish, senseless, thoughtless Rioters were definitely, utterly
no way near to the Buddhist’s Mushin.
[ If it was done in Mushin, it got to bring the GOOD outcome. This is what the
Karma mean. And if it brought bad outcome — because, it has done not in Mushin]
—– You may say this is out of rational logic and say ” Why”, but this is what I found and true.
And this must be the reason why the Buddhism is existing. 🙂
___/\___
non
LOOTING in MUSHIN ???
Following my post [Wet Mid —] I’ve received amazing comments which said,
the young people live in the MOMENT and LOOTING is ZEN.
It seemed this man has read a book about the Zen Buddhism and picked up few buzz words, and as he is
pretty tenacious —– he might be believing what he is understanding is the Zen or believing he
had understood the Zen !
Fortunately, I haven’t read the same book therefore I can’t tell whether the book was crap or his reading was.
( ZEN for DUMB written by a dumb ? for the dumb ? 😀 )
non
Often people mistook, just pick-up a buzz-word or two is [got it] even worse [understood].
Even more worse is, especially this kind of people tend to talk a lot 😀
( In my Uni’ there was a woman nicknamed “ Three fold BESHI “ who got a reputation of, when she read
one book, she talked about three times more amount —– a book inspired her and her creative interpretation
sky-rocketed —– only a trouble was her idea was utterly bull-sit 😀 )
non
Later, I gave another thought, —– in hypothesis, if the man was actually in the line of rioters, and
actually did looting —– then he realized, he has been completely absorbed in the situation, in the rapidly
changing chaotic situation, he just reacted moment to moment —– there couldn’t be a
time to give a thought, —– when he saw a gadget on a shelf = just grubbed and run.
—– then, he become aware ? ? ? Where am I ? Why this gadget is in my hand ? ? ?
Boila ! ! ! I got Zen, it was an act in Mushin.
Non
When he was arrested and sent to a Court, it could make a very interesting case. —– as far as I
know, it will create an unprecedented test case in the regal history.
If a man accused for a theft, but pleaded not guilty on the ground of diminished responsibility
since, he was acted in Mushin, and in the fundamentals of Buddhist’s belief, there is no Self,
therefore an allegedly accused / the man himself was not really in the crime scene = since
the body which has been captured in a CCTV is effectively empty or illusion.
( Don’t laugh 😀 —– this is quite a feasible scenario ! )
non
This case would give a nightmare as big as public disorder itself to the Judiciary.
As it is concerns to the fundamental belief of the Buddhism, it can not be denied or criticized, therefore
a civil-right organization such as Liberty ought to defend the case, as they did to Sikh and Moslem, otherwise
they will be accused of their discrimination against the Buddhists.
As long as he is not having any mental disorder, to throw the case out in this ground wouldn’t succeed.
There wouldn’t be any difficulty to have Expert Evidences from Zen Master, Martial-art Master, Sports man—–
as it compels them to testify that the teaching of Zen is not mumbo-jumbo = Mushin is a real phenomenon.
And, Prosecutor has to prove that the [Self] of accused was existing and the proclaimed [Mushin] is not exists.
( But how to prove it ? It is exactly the same problematic issue like whether the God exists )
—– It is the direct confrontation over the Buddhism. ( You see how tricky this case is 😀 )
non
Then, Council may address “My Load, if the prosecutor is right, it is the fundamental denial of the
Buddhist’s belief, but on the other hand if the court find that the Defendant is right, it is the seal of approval that
the Dharma exists and in the case of Buddhists, responsibility of the Self may not exists.
Hence, creating yet another loop-hole to escape Justice. This would bring the serious problem to the future of
the law and order and to whole Judiciary. Therefore only the remedy would be, an out of court settlement to
sort the difference out “
—– so, an awkward case will be swept under the carpet without leaving any precedence 😀
Ha ha ha 😀 😀
—
PS: I will explain What is real Buddhist’s Mushin on the next post.
___/\___
—
TOUCHING the VOID
Yesterday I was invited to see a dress rehearsal of an Art Performance at the Holland Park.
It was titled [ Common sounds : Touching the Void ] ( Flyer is in the end of this post )
In fact it was in the building of the former Commonwealth Institute.
The building has been closed for more than decade —– what a shame. I used to go there to see many ethnic,
cultural exhibition, art performances.
And as the building has been bought by the Design Museum, they are under the refurbishment.
It is a kind of trend to use a disused empty space, some time pretty strange place, to utilize
them for an exhibition, art events. —– naturally, the space itself was unusual, the almost
crèche “Site specific installations, performances” are the regular program.
Though, this particular space is nothing like any another space.
Under the first ever built type of column-less huge roof, it is the burst empty space —– having
a round centre stage and the surrounding multi-storey corridor —– you got to be there
to see and feel the space.
The event has been directed by Harry Ross, and designed by Helen O’Neill who is my friend though I haven’t dig
deep enough to know how they organized the event to use here yet —– may be a kind of trade secrets there 😀
—
The actual performances are the conceptual play and the dances, therefore impressive but a kind, often
described as “mind boggling” — not only the space is out of comprehension, hence we feel out
of space ( pan 🙂 ) giving a feeling of being in the time trip —– Where am I ? What’s going on ?
Then the audiences were bound together and taken to the ride —— or to the darkness of the limbo !
At there I met another photographer who introduced himself as Jim the dance photographer.
While he shoot, he moves with dancer anticipating their movements and click, no fancy angle or strange
foot works, always facing straight, very authentic —– I noticed, this guy really knows the subject, in
many years experiences —– to capture the moment of dance. (Good for the dancer’s own portfolio)
( His link =http://www.perfectlandscape.com/touching_the_void/#)
non
My photography is more to participate, or even invade the situation —– interaction with the situation.
That’s why I like to use ultra-wide or even fish-eye lens to close the core of subject.
Like the Theory of Relativity, there can not be a pure observation.
Observation itself affects the Phenomenon —– therefore, to be a part
of Phenomenon is more logical —– That’s what I think 😀
—– Believe or not, this is my understanding of the Zen Buddhism.
Once we were born, we can not exist outside of the world.
The interaction with the other existences, moment to moment,
is the life.
Otherwise, why do we need to be here in this moment ?
And why the Dharma placed us to be here and now ?
—– So that, why the art event like in the Commonwealth
Institute was happened and WHY I was there ?
This is the understanding of “What Karma meant ” and totally embrace the
situation is “What Mindfulness mean “. —– This is the Conviction to the LIFE.
Hence, this IS the ZEN. ( ZEN in action, not sitting away from the situation 😀 )
___/\___
—-
|
Hydrangea Otaksa
Early summer or before a summer starts, Japan has a rainy season
(middle of June to middle of July) somewhat akin to the monsoon.
Every day is a rainy day. And under the rain, it is the time to appreciate
pale blue Hydrangea flowers = 紫陽花 アジサイ.
There are many famous Hydrangea Garden arround Tokyo, especially
in Kamakura city (one hour from Tokyo), Meigetsu-in Temple, Hase-dera
Temple, Jyoju-in Temple are only name but few.
Why Hydrangea in the Temple is because of its meditative blue color.
Buddhist monks are the sombre people. 😀 — I’m just kidding. 😀
non
You might have heard that the Hydrangea flower originated from
Japan. It was brought back to the Netherlands and spread to the
Europe in late 19th century and since then many horticultural
varieties were created especially in England.
The person who introduced it to the west was a German Doctor working
in the Dutch mercantile, in Nagasaki, Philip Franz von Siebold.
( In fact, he came Japan twice, and for the second time he acted as a
foreign affair adviser for the Shogun )
While he was in Japan, along side working as a doctor and teaching
western medicine, he studied Japanese Flora and Fauna, and collected
vast amount of botanical specimen as well. From this study and the
research, worked together with a Botanist J.G. Zuccarini, a book
[Japanese Flora] was published. In this book, one of the native plant
was named as Hydrangea Otaksa. ( though, it has been renamed to
Hydrangea macropylla (Thunb) seringe f. macropylla )
Shy Siebold himself made an excuse that the name Otakusa came
from local name though, a Japanese Botanist, Tomitaro Makino
later traced back its origin to his Japanese wife Otaki-san.
The name he put, Otaksa came from non other than his Japanese wife
Otaki-san in deed. (Incidentally, a daughter he made to Otaki-san,
the Oine = 楠本イネ, became the first female doctor, gynecologist in the
Japanese Medical history.)
He must loved her so much, as he even taught his Parrot to repeat her
name “Otaki-san” —– and a funny story was that since then it became
a custom to teach a Parrot to call the name ”Otake-san” in Japan.
( Similar to a custom in Japan, a lots of dog has their name “Pochi”
—– originally it was copied from the call for a dog “Pooch” in
English or American.) 😀
nonBotanical research institutes in the world exchanges their collection
each other. When I was in my Uni’, my part-time work was taking
botanical photos and making the specimen in the Makino Herbarium＝
牧野植物標本館 (a part of the Science Dept’ )
One day, the Herbarium received a parcel from the Science Dept’ of
the Leiden University, Netherlands.
It was the very botanical specimen which Siebold had taken to
the Netherlands. And 110 years later, they were returned to Japan.
As I happened to have best dexterity, I was asked to stick those old
fragile specimen onto the card paper, then labelling them.
It was an extremely delicate work. Not only the specimen were
completely dry old plants, but the paper base is not solid board.
Any bending force to the base paper would crumble the specimen.
Hence the binding tape need to have some margin of gap to allow
the specimen to move, while securely holding it.
The specimen itself were nothing special —– they are quite
common (to Japanese eyes) plants, such as cherry blossoms etc.
(though, Hydrangea wasn’t included) but the matter was its
association with historical figure Siebold who taught the Japanese
herbalists to sort the plants in real scientific way first time.
Non
While making those specimen I’ve put a plank — I wrote my name
under the label with thin pencil. It is not visible though, if anybody
see through the label against the light, the name may be seen.
( This is the first time I revealed such mischief to the others.) 😀
Few years ago, I heard from a retired Professor of Makino Herbarium,
the portable specimen dryers powered by mobile electric generator
which I designed and made for the Ogasawara expedition ( I made its
metal work in the Technology Dept’s work shop) were still there and
nearly 40 years later they are still working !
— its funny to think the staff of the herbarium might be wondering
to see the name on the dryer’s label “Who the hell, this guy ?”
(A facility in a big institute show no personal name as a manufacturer)
And in the Japanese practice, the photos taken by the staff doesn’t
show the photographer’s name. So, my name only remains on member
list of the expedition and behind the labels of Siebold collection.
—– it’s a hidden joke. 😀
PS: The Hydrangea in the Photo above is rather primitive type
( I couldn’t find the exact name of it though) unlike the common
types, this flower showed the real flower in the centre of sepal.
The common horticultural variety has atrophied flower (in fact,
it is not a flower but just the sepals)
I rather like to see the flowers in its natural form than in
an artificially created “gorgeous” style.
*****
Hydrangea Otakusa / Makino / Ogasawara Expedition
Pok’s ZEN
Ten days ago I received an invitation to a private view of an art exhibition from a man whom I don’t know at all.
I was quite puzzled, how come ? ? ? (since my Email address is not public)
Exhibition was a contemporary art in context of dairy practice in Zen Buddhist’s culture —- What ?
Before go down to the puzzle of Zen art, I guessed that somebody my friend who knows of my Zen blog
might have suggested him to send an Email to me.
Any how, it’s best to see a man and ask.
Non
So, I took a journey to the exhibition and met a young artist, Chong-Boon Pok.
Obviously he is a Chinese but turned out to be from Malaysia and living in here about 10 years.
And he is a kind of [native] Zen Buddhist, who doesn’t need to know what the Zen is or its
history etc, but as he was grown up in its environment he is naturally doing it.
(even unaware of why —– it’s in his subconscious)
—– As he was saying in his Press release;
“ My studio practice operates within subjects, time and space using the everyday and engages
aspects of mindfulness,self, memories, social, cultural and symbolic form. My cultural upbringing and
life experiences are often revisited, examined and evidenced in my work.
The work embraces ideas of as-it-is-ness, nothingness, the impermanent nature of things, and the
interconnectedness of objects and people, all of which are relevant to Zen Buddhist discourses of everyday.”
non
And what he is showing are — in his words;
“ Devoting attentiveness to and contemplating the everyday is central to my art practice.
The everyday that I refer to is the trivial, ordinary and inconsequential objects and activities that
people tend to take for granted such as the cutlery we use for eating, something we are so familiar
with that we are less likely to give a second thought when we encountered them. Besides
assembling everyday objects into sculptural forms and installations, part of my work involves
using food and cooking to perform and interact with people visiting my exhibition.”
non
Like a round piece in the photo above ( can be enlarged with click on the photo) it was made out of
drink-can’s pull-ring —– thousand of them. So as the other pieces, they are made out of really
ordinary objects —– but with the thousands of repeated works.
Some may think, it might have done by dreadful swet-shop like endless work or even it might have done by
the hired worker —– wrong. It was all done by the artist himself.
And some may think, it is a kind of play devoting to the God —– wrong again.
Except the first few line of the work where the artist needed to find the best adjustment, following work
all through up to the finishing line, it was done almost automatic = just the repeating movement of the fingers.
There was nothing else in his mind = so-called Mindfulness, though, in fact, there was nothing.
Hence Mind of No-Mind = the true reflection of the Nothingness of the existence.
—– in deed, those repeating work is the Buddhist’s practice = by which the one can reach to
the state of Mushin (Mind of No-Mind ).
non
But we shouldn’t forget, that the Practice is just the practice to get the state of the mind, Mushin.
Mushin itself is not a goal. It is just a state of the mind. What is the goal ? —– Life, that’s all.
But the Life without unnecessary worries or useless delusions hence without pitfall.
What else anyone needs to have ?
More than handful of gold ? Or surrounded by 100 of virgins ? —— ? ? ? What to do with those virgins ?
Do you want to be a rapist or dirty old man ? —– in fact, all those dirty idea negates the goodness or virtue of
the Mushine, since it against the Rules of the Dharma.
One’s life is to make other life happier. This is what all about the meaning of the Life.
( Running big company employing thousands of staffs and selling the products all over the world
—– in effects, supporting those who working for him, and appreciated by the people who bought the products,
in the same time, making money and able to supports his own family —– this is the Life.
(well, billions of variations there)
non
So, unmistakably, the artist, Pok succeeded in this task —– by his work in Mushin, made
the people smile and made their eyes open “ A, Ha ~ ~ ~” and making people feel Happy.
He should be rewarded by the Dharma.
Non
His exhibition [ Contemplating the Everyday ] continues until 8th July, 11am~5pm
@ Central House Building / Metropolitan University —– Near Oldgate East Station , London
(it is opposite of the Whitechapel Gallery / Habib Bank on the corner / entrance is over the Bank office)
—– < www.thegroundweshare.co.uk.blogspot.com >
It’s worthwhile to pay a visit 🙂
—–
TOY and ELECTRONICS
A while ago I was introduced to a guy who needs to have some helps for his electronic project.
This guy Richard has been running his shop-sign design business near the work shop of the
Open Wifi Networking people / OWN, and he was introduced me through this group.
As he wanted to expand his design to LED light sign-board, but without having enough knowledges of
electronics. ( —– good boy. I like this kind of people. Keen to study and challenge new field.)
(Any how, I myself started a hobby of electronics from scratch
without having any formal education or training)
He had started to make sign-board using a kit bought from China —– and having mountain of
problems, the power supply, heat-up, etc etc. (May be it worked in China though, this country got
much more strict Safety regulation and the customers are more fussy, and so on)
Basically, the Chinese design was rather cleverly simplified, using less components —– would work
just within the limit and under an ideal condition.
Though, the trouble of bespoke designs are, they are not always the same design, and the number
of LEDs on the board are not necessary the same number.
So, I suggested the modification and the change of the components, power supply etc etc, in fact
quite a lots of works needed to make them perfect 🙂
non
On the beginning, he tried to pay for my help. I told him “My help is free. And even if he want to pay,
he can’t afford my formal charge” “One day, if I need, I may need to ask your help”
“So, just glad to receive a help from others, and give a help when he saw if others needed”
non
——- Then, he found the Chinese toys using LEDs and showed me if they can be used to control the
electronic signal in the sign-board.
Modification or adaptation of electronic circuit is much easier than to make a tandem bicycle out of
two broken bicycles (which needs to have a lots of cutting and welding —– a messy business)
As a matter of fact, I’ve been doing many of those kind of adaptation.
A video clip of my rotating LED disco costume in Youtube was made out of a Chinese toy too.
When I saw the complicated lighting pattern of 5 LEDs in the small toy, I’ve got the idea to utilize it
(then, I made more than 10 design and the prototypes —– and one end-up as a fancy disco gadget 😀 )
If I design and make the same from scratch, by using gate ICs or a micro-controller IC, it would become
quite a size and impossible to rotates, let alone to mount it on a disco costume.
Since Chinese manufacturer designed and made it as a cheap toy, expecting to sell millions, they made
all the controlling circuit and the memory in one custom IC, everything is in a thumb nail sized board
—– so that, I’ve bought 20 of them 50 pence each 🙂 —– what a bargain 😀
Most of those ICs in the toys which execute a pre-programmed
routine is having a digital memory and its execution speed is
clocked by an internal RC clock, and its frequency is
supply voltage dependent, its mean if we change it, it could
slow down the speed.
The toys, Richard found was rapidly flashing RGB LEDs disco
pendant kind. Those electronic circuit can be modified to flash
the letters on a sign-board by adding higher current transistor,
and can have more effective speed or giving more interesting
random movement as well.
And by using much higher supply voltage, it can light up lot more number of LEDs —– the variations are
endless —– after all, they are so cheap, try this and that —– any faliuer wouldn’t cost you much.
Try to analyse and modify the circuit is a kind of game and a fun. —– and I made user friendly, ready to
use small board for him (and his assistants) to make sign-board.
—– rest of work is for him / he is the designer. I was just an adviser.
It was an interesting occasion to see a person rapidly learning and succeeding.
This is the Zen at work. (for me and for him)
Let the things to come and happen.—– In Buddhist’s view, it is not an accident.
It’s happened as it should be.
Be flexible in the brain / in the way of thinking, and to the occurence in the life,
and above all, just do what required there in its best.
Hence, I was happy and he was happy too.
The day and the life in total would be quite fruits-full. ( with a lots of fun as well 🙂 )
___/\___
—
FORMURA in DHARMA
I have written about how Leonardo Davinch was obsessed with his Masonic belief a while ago.
And it is well known that the Masonic people has been trying to figure out the fundamental rule of
the universe in its proportion or mathematical formula, hence the architectural proportion of
the old temple etc.
Fibonacci number / its rule of consecutive numbers are one of the rules found in nature —–
since they thought, it should have the ultimate power of rule of universe. etc etc. ( It is true, some plants
and its order of distribution of leaves or seeds on the pod shows certain pattern, hence certain formula
which lead to the discovery of the very Fibonacci number ) —– so what ?
non
Unfortunately, there is no such magic formula to solve the trouble in the human life.
If the perfect proportion of the old temple have had any mythical protective power of the universe,
it couldn’t have been destroyed.
It is a tendency of the dream of lazy and yet greedy man —— to grub the power and the fortune
by tricking using the simple and easy formula —– and believing such things could ever exist.
Non
Of cause, Buddha taught no such things could ever exists, and such idea is nothing
but a delusion. —– though, some Mahayana Mantras having many fancy super natural stories.
A man who read Diamond Mantra and wanted to gain such super natural power, asked me to teach
the secret of Zen. (since he believed I’ve got it —– how nice complement 😀 )
non
Give a thought or two to what Buddha taught —–
Fixed formula which got only few parameters only works to the fixed, limited condition.
Buddha said, nothing stays permanent and keep changing moment to moment = out of
reach of any fixed formula.
Such formula is a product of our poor thinkings —– how we can rely such idea when the author,
ourself is unreliable. Even its existence is not certain.
Above all, what is the intention to get such secret formula for — to get the good result quick ?
To get power and the fortune in easy way ? = What a greed and the arrogance.
Such greed or arrogance negates any virtue of the Buddhism.
One Buddhists sect recruiting the people saying “Get happiness quick“— though, such idea to appeal
the people’s greed negates Buddhism itself. ( You can see, despite they are taking a lots though they
are the most miserable people — only able to repeat what was written in the book, and thinking Happy)
Strange Paradox of Goodness in the Buddhism only came out of absolute nothing. From No expectation.
non
Buddha didn’t give an answer to many questions — long time myself has been thinking, because
it was not necessary for us to know, — though I realized, it was the very answer Buddha intended to give.
The answer itself is a notion, whether it was said by Buddha or not. When the notion itself and
the condition based upon it couldn’t exist in a fixed form, there couldn’t be
a fixed answer = no answer is the very answer.
—– Then all the another pieces of his teachings fallen into the jigsaw —– that’s why the clear eyes to
see the Dharma is essential = Dharma itself is not fixed entity, it changes a moment to moment,
hence the flow of response is essential. The free mind, not cringe to any fixed idea, away from any
deluded idea or belief is essential = Mind of No-Mind is the key to see the Dharma.
Its mean, the compliance to the situation is the matter. See the situation as it is.
And the response on this moment may not be the same to a response a moment ago.
Its mean, there is no fixed formula. Or no-formula is the ultimate formula.
No quick fix with anticipation exists.
Don’t worry with bad anticipation, until its happened, it hasn’t happened yet.
When it’s happened, then, take best action —– as long as you keep your eyes clear,
the situation you see is far better than misguided anticipation.
Flexible structure is much stronger even in an earthquake.
This is the Buddhism. Buddhists never miss the moment.
___/\___
non
JOKE
One of the most cynical joke toward the Buddhism is
—– If there is no Self, where is the one who get enlightened ?
In fact, I’ve seen this joke also in a famous book written by one of the most prominent Buddhism
scholar in Japan. He translated many important Buddhism scriptures into modern Japanese.
Which book, I might have read 100 times ?
(so, I’ve read this joke 100 times) — Ha ha ha —– very funny 😀
And it took me more than 20 years to realize the hidden truth —–
Ah’ because, he hasn’t enlightened yet then !
Non
As long as the one is entwined with the Self —– no enlightenment. (It is self-evident)
And the moment, when the one got enlightened —– it is the same moment as the Self disappeared.
Or, the moment when the Self disappeared, it’s mean the one was enlightened.
The Self and the Enlightenment never exist in the same time.
Therefore, to make the joke has no point —– and the author of the book hasn’t realized it by
himself —– its mean he didn’t know what is the enlightenment. Yet still, he is a professor teaching
about the Buddhism. —– knowing the words and teaching them is different from Buddhism itself.
One could get enlightened in direct transmission in one day, still the other who studied
hundreds of scriptures are not necessary guaranteed to achieve enlightenment or nirvana.
Never mind, we all are still Buddhist. Ha ha ha 😀
___/\___
non
Cheap or HUMBLE ?
These days, every corner of the town, there is yet another so-called
pound shop. At one of them I found rather surprising item on the shelf.
—– Six energy-saving light bulbs for 99 pence.
Alternative to traditional incandescent light, those miniaturized fluorescent
light are everywhere. I’ve seen three bulbs for 2 pounds, then 1 pound, but
I couldn’t anticipate six for less than 1 pound. Those light bulb having rather
complicated electronic control circuit inside of its socket base and
regulating the current go through the tube to about 50 mili ampea level
—- hence, 240 V x 0.05 A = 12 W. And to do it, the circuit is switching the
current in pretty high frequency using high voltage Power Field-effect Transistor.
If I buy this kind of transistor which I can use in another electronic switching circuit, it may cost me
a pound each. So, I thought, even if the bulb is not perfect, still I can take the component out of it and the glass
tube can be used to make a kind of sculpture.
non
So, I bought, and tested them in my place.
—– The bulb worked as it is. Though, I wouldn’t know whether they last only 500 hours or
3000 hours. —– But, what I found peculiar was, the socket base of the bulb, its metal fitting is
slightly out of the standard. In fact, they are a bit larger, therefore very tight to insert to
the socket. Think about, when you change the light bulb on the ceiling, stretch the hands while
standing on a wobbly chair, and struggling to insert or removing the bulb gripping the glass tube,
—– what would likely happen is, the thin glass tube may break, while sprinkling the toxic white
powder on your eyes, if not cut your fingers.
My guess is, those bulb has been rejected by the dealer / importer as they are not meet the British standard —–
hence end up to the warehouse clearance sale, then came to a pound shop.
The people who buy those products may not realize it is out of standard, even not able to speak in English, therefore
least likely to complain, not mention to take the matter to the Trade Standard Authority kind.
Anyhow, 16 pence each —– who bother to complain. 😀
non
As a matter of fact, this kind of trouble is nothing new. I’ve bought rechargeable battery from the Lidle.
The 4 x AA type 2500mAH rechargeable battery £2.99 looked very very cheap —– on the face.
What I found was, they are slightly big. In fact, they are 0.3 mm longer, which is in most of the case imposes no
trouble at all. Though, I’ve built many home-made devices which is not necessary using ordinary battery case, but
having battery housing tightly placed in the device, hence the larger battery is harder to insert and remove. 😀
( With my test, they hardly show the proclaimed capacity of 2500 mAH nor having consistency —– and one of
them deteriorate quicker. —– its mean, set of four became useless / We can’t mix this kind of battery with others)
These days, those small and cheap products are all coming from China. Though China having their own measuring
unit, hence having the complication like a conversion between metric and imperial unit, therefore prone
to make a mistake to produce in wrong size.
Once before, I found a kind of toy from China which got two bearings inside, for one pound each.
Bearing is not a cheap item if we buy from engineering shop. So, I thought if it is 50 pence each, it would be useful
for somewhere —– and I bought ten of them. ( got lots of bearings 😀 )
Then with my annoyance, I found their internal diameter is odd 7.5 mm and realized, this must be the common size
in China. —– So, I bought big screwdriver (of cause, also made in China ) —– and my guess was spot on,
its shaft diameter was also 7.5 mm. I got shaft as well. ( Best matched them are happy ever after 😀 )
—– To deal with cheap goods, we need to use our brain more.
A funny question is, to buy those cheap goods, is it a sign of humbleness ?
Or is it peny pinching greed ? —– I think, I leave this question to you 🙂
___/\___ ( Yes, this is the Zen question, Ha ha ha 😀 )
—
Landscape — or Memory-scape ?
Landscape ? — or Memory-scape ?
I don’t know. It’s a photograph. Sir.
Where the IMAGE came from ?
It came from a memory-card of my camera.
So, you photographed this, what was the subject ? Was that a Landscape or Abstract ?
What you mean Abstract ? Abstract of WHAT ?
That is what I’m asking.
Ask the Camera please. 😀 —– It might be De-ja-Vu. Sir.
So, your camera can take picture of your mind inside ?
What a fancy imagination you got. Sir. When we faced the situation, what I can do is
either press the button —– or not. I have only two choice.
So, you are doing Zombie photography. 😀
How nice. Very funny. This is Zen Photography Sir.
That’s why I’m saying Zen is Dog Shit.
Dog Shit or not, can’t you see the scape somewhere where ever, not remember when but
far far away, long long time ago or in a future, we might have seen or may see one day.
You don’t need to think What is this about, but as long as the image absorbs your feeling,
and make your mouth shut, it’s all what needed.
—– But obviously this one didn’t make my mouth shut.
So I say. Shut your mouth. Just look it. You are thinking too much.
You are violating my fundamental human right of Freedom of Expression.
Oh, bollocks. Preach to the camera.
What a dog shit.
———- Not much peace here. Ha ha ha 😀
___/\___
non
Yoshizen's Blog 
4 comments