隻手音声

隻手音声(Sekishu-Onjyo) is a Koan(公案) of Zen buddhism. Koan is a kind of homework. Teachers question, and student makes answers. Basically, the answers are top secret but I tell you a correct answer of Koan here.



In the case of Sekishu Onjyo, teacher say "Listen to one-handed voice", and you have to express about your enlightenment to make a reply. You will be given time to consider and if you come up with the answer, you can reply. The teacher will say "Reply.". And many students make a false reply.



Someone would reply "I can fan with my hand and make noise of leaves rolling on the ground." This is false. Someone would say "I can't make noise with a hand." Likely, this is also false. Please consider about the answer. As a hint, you shouldn't consider and think. You should throw away your all common sense.



If I am a Zen monk, I must not tell you about the answer, and It may be that I will be unchurched. But I can, because my stance is philosophy. And this answers were published by a anonymous zen monk. And I'm sure that even if you say true answers I say, you won't be regarded that you understand Zen thought. Because teachers look carefully whether you get mastery of it.



OK, I will show you. You can exclaim"MUUUUUUU(無)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". Then the teacher will ask "Is the voice sounded on the upper side or the under side?". The answer is "it is both, flexible!." And the teacher will ask you "How is it ? Sound it for me now. I want to listen to the voice." Please think about the answer now.



What I write is just a example, so you can answer as you like. If you imitate someone, you will be detected. You shouldn't consider and shouldn't think about it. You should throw away your common sense. Then you can get the enlightenment of Zen buddhism. If you come up with any answer, please read next paragraph.



The answer is hitting your teacher with the flat hand as hard as you can. And your teacher will say "Good job" and will be content to give you next homework. Zen monks study Zen buddhism in this way.



If you interesting in them please try to consider and spend a lot of time wondering and explain about the reason of answers are correct. I can show you here, but I don't want to deprive your intellectual curiosity. And I'll say nothing about it when you your answer is not correct. And if you know the answer please don't write about it here.



Now, usually, Soto-zen don't practice Koan. Rinzai-zen monks practice usually.



I took the photo at Hoonji(Zen temple of Soto-Zen) in Iwate prefecture.