Sometimes on this forum it turns out people don't know how to read a book. When told they don't know how to read a book, they get angry.
Maybe it would help if we had a guide with examples. I'll just take a template from the first google result (https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/teaching-tools/articles/high-school-book-report-template.html) and go from there, shall we?
Here is our example Zen text from the Sayings of Joshu. We're not gonna do a whole book, let's keep it lean. Zen texts come bite-sized anyhow so it's not too far off the usual mark, though admittedly we don't have the complexity of commentary and verses here and whatnot. I'm sure you can manage.
Someone asked, "The Way-what is it?"
Joshu said, "Don't mention it, don't mention it."
So, let's consult our high school book report template
1: Setting
We know it's Joshu so it was a long time ago. Maybe a thousand years ago! Somewhere around that. I'm sure we could be more specific but I don't think it matters. At that time we had writing, some technology, and as far as we can tell this happened in some kind of monastic farming community.
2: Characterization
We've got Joshu the Zen Master and a student asking questions. Joshu's a rock star so the spotlights are on him. It's the Sayings of Joshu after all. Everyone's expectant. What hijinx will he get up to next?
3: Point of view
It's written as a description of a meeting that happened. Who wrote it? We know from other such texts that these things were usually written down by disciples. Maybe someone witnessed this, or the "someone" in question wrote it down himself or relayed it to someone.
4: Conflict
The student wants to know about The Way. What is it? It's a question about fundamental reality. Joshu's answer is unexpected. Don't mention it?
Why shouldn't the student mention it?
What kind of answer is that?
Is it a pointer to something or is Joshu just being obtuse?
We know he's famous for being sharp, so deliberate obtuseness is unlikely. Maybe mentioning it is missing it. Now why would that be?
We've got lots of room for interpretation here. Go nuts! Bonus points for consulting other Zen texts as a cross reference for interpretation.
5: Theme
This is easy. It's about Zen! Seeing your nature. What is the Way in Zen? I mentioned fundamental reallity before, let's go with that.
A recurring theme in these stories also shows up: the student is asking a question, but he didn't expect the answer. In non-zen stories, the kinds of answers people give are usually different from this. As if the questioner already knew what he wanted to hear. We have none of that here. Intriguing, no? And it's so consistent across the Zen stories, too.
6: Symbols
This is a short text, but I'm sure you can find a lot of symbolism in Zen texts. This is where you can go and talk about the sutras and whatnot if you want. I'm sure you're gonna find tons of references there.
For this specific example, we've got "The Way". Superficially, people are often reminded of Taoism when they hear the word. The Way in Zen is different, however. Once on this forum I heard someone say "The Way is not a path to follow"
I think that's very fitting.
7: Foreshadowing
We all knew something amazing was going to happen once the student asked the question. Joshu didn't disappoint.
Can't put too much foreshadowing into just two lines, but even so, we have this.
8: Ending
"Don't mention it, don't mention it"
I'm interpreting this as an imperative and not as "aww shucks, don't mention it, you're welcome". The questioner must've been struck dumb by this as the text ends here. It's an abrupt ending. Short and to the point, easy to understand, poignant, sharp, and quick.
Like a knife thrust.
Don't mess with Joshu in a phone booth.
That's it, we've gone through the steps. Now you can go write a paragraph or two with what you've learned from analyzing things.
Now wasn't this little exercise illuminating?
Submitted May 04, 2023 at 12:19AM by dota2nub https://ift.tt/H4tdyKW
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