The master honed a dry sense of humor. He often spoke and cautioned against mistakes in memory and misquotes. So many of us remember maxims partially and give them different meanings than intended. Money is the root of all evil is a favorite misquotes that permeates societies. The correct quote is,
The love of money is the root of all evil.
The Bible – New Testament – Timothy. VI, 7
Satoru
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Satoru
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If you do not change your direction you will end up where you are headed.
The captain of a battleship has just been informed by a lookout that a light has been spied dead ahead through the fog in the distance. The captain orders a signal sent by flashing light. “We are on a collision course, advise you alter course 30 degree port.”
The signal is straight away returned, “Advisable for you to change course 30 degrees starboard.”
The captain ordered his communications officer to send back, “I’m a captain. You had better change course 30 degrees port immediately.”
“I’m a seaman second class,” came the reply. “You had better change course 30 degrees starboard.”
Now extremely irked the captain spit out, “I’m a battleship. Change course 30 degrees port now.”
Back came the flashing light. “I’m a light house.”
Satoru
To seek enlightenment we have to give up our vested interest in the judgements we already have and move our faith into the unexplored.
Satoru
Perhaps this is the most well known manifestation of the Zen parables. What is the answer? The question has many answers and interpretations but the root of the expression, like so many Zen questions is to make you think. One interpretation is that you cannot hear the sound of one clapping because you are not listening carefully and/or that you are focused on what you think the sound of one hand clapping will be. Can the correct answer be…silence?
Satoru
A Way To Live – ZEN 