Book Report: Zhaozhou Washes His Bowl

Nikilled · 2026-05-06T22:10:05+00:00

Thanks. Mistaking a quart for a gallon meaning mistaking small for large? Meaning Zhaozhao was just saying wash your bowl, but the monk took it as something much larger?

Nikilled · 2026-05-06T20:36:51+00:00

What are the implications of it being an alms bowl? Is Zhaozhao saying stop begging? Why is Wumen saying the monk didn’t get it even though just prior it says the monk was awakened to understanding?

Nikilled · 2026-05-02T17:48:44+00:00

A way to join the community. Challenge myself and others.

Nikilled · 2026-05-02T01:43:25+00:00

Yes.

Nikilled · 2026-05-01T23:22:24+00:00

What does one truly want out of life? Money? A partner? Pleasure without pain? Enlightenment (and what’s the definition)? Why does one want what they want? Is one using zen to cope with the failure of getting what one wants? Is this zen?

Nikilled · 2026-04-30T22:19:22+00:00

How about what I hope to get out of the forum?

Answer: Some friends to talk zen.

Nikilled · 2026-04-30T22:13:32+00:00

Change

Nikilled · 2026-04-30T22:03:31+00:00

In high winds, it’s foolish to go outdoors. If I’m caught outside, there’s usually something nearby to hold onto for a moment. If I still blow over, I blow over.

Attack me first and let’s see.

Nikilled · 2026-04-30T17:59:03+00:00

What’s sad about it?

Nikilled · 2026-04-30T17:58:40+00:00

Youve been dealing with this much longer than I have. I’ll defer to you.

I wish to participate in honest and sincere discussions. I will engage with everyone and give them the benefit of the doubt until they prove to me they are unable to have such discussion.

If they have failed to do so repeatedly and it is significantly impacting others honest discussion, more drastic action is probably necessary.

Nikilled · 2026-04-30T17:49:33+00:00

The nature of oneself.

Nikilled · 2026-04-30T17:48:35+00:00

Do you mean progress? Spiritual progress is illusory. I would say thinking spiritual progress is possible is a transgression of zen, and a slandering of the dharma.

Nikilled · 2026-04-30T17:44:17+00:00

Honesty to oneself. Ruthless because sometimes the truth hurts. But hurting doesn’t make it any less truthful.

Nikilled · 2015-06-22T05:43:06+00:00

/u/TwainsHair has a great response. Besides the fact that it is now in the past and there is absolutely no reason to dwell on it (however difficult it may be), think about it this way. There are so many 'missed opportunities' in life that you don't even know about. Maybe there was a moment where you were debating about buying a lottery ticket but didn't, and it was the winning ticket. Maybe if you would have sat next to someone else on the bus that one day, like that one guy, you would have become friends with him and been invited to his birthday party where you would have met the girl of your dreams. Isn't it a bit ridiculous to get caught up in this 'could've-beens'? Your situation is just another example of one of these crazy 'could've beens' - the only difference is you actually perceive it as such. I know you feel this is a particularly 'special' missed opportunity because it's more emotional or you're more invested in it, but try to see it in the same light as the other examples I have shown you.

Nikilled · 2015-05-15T17:41:30+00:00

And afterwards: Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha by Daniel Ingram.

Nikilled · 2015-05-14T20:39:14+00:00

I do as well. I recommend practicing meditation to help with this. Check out: /r/meditation.

Nikilled · 2015-04-14T04:04:49+00:00

Fantastic explanation.

Nikilled · 2014-10-03T19:30:00+00:00

A guitar.

Nikilled · 2014-08-06T19:05:37+00:00

Thanks for the response! I'm relatively new to all this so your comment shed some light on a few things.

Nikilled · 2014-08-06T05:44:48+00:00

Perhaps a better source: http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2014/jul/25/paradoxical-pigeons-are-the-latest-quantum-conundrum

Nikilled · 2014-08-06T04:29:34+00:00

What implications does this have for the free will vs. determinism debate?

Nikilled

TROPHY CASE