On Kidding (Children, Jokes, and Baby Goats)

Master Wuzu Yan said to an assembly,

Talking about Buddha, expounding the teaching, taking up the gavel, standing up the whisk - white clouds for thousands of miles. Deshan would strike as soon as anyone entered the door, Linji would shout as soon as anyone entered the door - white clouds for thousands of miles. After that, 'thus' won't do, 'not thus' wont' do, 'thus and not thus' won't do at all - this is also white clouds for thousands of miles. If someone should suddenly come forth and say, 'Elder, your speaking this way is also white clouds for thousands of miles,' this talk is called a dwarf watching a performance, following people up and down. After thirty years it will be a laugh. But tell me, laughing at what? Laughing at white clouds for thousands of miles.

A monk asked, "I request the teacher to speak directly, without being blind to the present opportunity."

He said "Kneading together, cutting apart."

He also said to the assembly, "Root and branch must return to the source; noble and base use their language. A sharp sword is hurled into space, a big stick hits a rat."

What is a Joke?

It's a structured sequence of ideas that takes you by surprise.

It is the opposite of an accident.

Someone hit in the face accidentally; tragic. Everyone rushes around. Trying to help.

Someone hit in the face intentionally; epic. Everyone gathers round to watch. Laughing and/or cheering.

What is intention?

In tension.

It is pulling, yanking, dragging. That which is not in compression.

What is compression?

It is pressure, squeezing, crushing. That which can turn a lump of coal into diamond.

Tension and compression, in equal balance, builds a bridge, or a violin, or a deadly crossbow. Anyone who sees it can cross it. Depending on which side you approach, it is the tallest or shortest span in the world. When you walk across it, it has no length. If you run it gets longer.

The difference between starting a fight and telling a joke, is understanding intention.

Get it?

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Post your funniest zen joke in the comments. Or don't, whatever, no pressure.

Submitted March 13, 2022 at 08:03AM by eggo https://ift.tt/eDjVgrJ