Everybody Huang Po Tonight

[AlanLa]

Jundo's post of a Huang Po quote reminded me that I've been wanting to post this other quote of his that I really like.

...the fundamental doctrine of the dharma is that there are no dharma, yet that this doctrine of no-dharma is in itself a dharma; and now that the no-dharma doctrine has been transmitted, how can the doctrine of the dharma be a dharma?

Then in the footnote Blofeld says he may not have gotten the translation right, so he gives an approximate word for word translation:

Dharma original dharma not dharma, not dharma dharma also dharma, now transmit dharma dharma, dharma dharma how-can be dharma.

Got that?
Well, drop it, because I think that's what he's saying in a very roundabout zenny way.
Fun stuff, tho, which brings me to the thread title, which is a lot easier to figure out than his quotes by watching this youtube video:
https://<div class="videocontainer w... </a> </div>

[Jundo]

Re: Everybody Huang Po Tonight

Hi Al,

The book The Zen Teaching of Huang Po translated by John Blofeld is on our recommended reading list ...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=889

but in combination with reflections on the history, misunderstandings, context and philosophical perspectives of that text and translation in "Philosophical Meditations on Zen Buddhism" by Dale S. Wright. I don't really recommend Wright's book for beginners, but it is invaluable for those looking for a deeper understanding of the development of the Zen teachings and literature. Wright's brilliant treatment shows how Huang Po's words ... and so many Zen texts ... have been idealized, fetishized, romanticized, dipped in gold, misunderstood and otherwise stretched out of context throughout their history and by starry-eyed translators like Blofeld. Excellent (if not always easy) reading for the "educated consumer" of Buddhist writings. Such understanding does not weaken the power of these teachings in my view, but strengthens these teachings and brings out the true treasures. Buddhism for Grownups vs. Fluffy Kid Stuff.

Here is a brief taste from this review ...

http://www.thezensite.com/ZenBookReview ... ations.htm

Gassho, J

[AlanLa]

Re: Everybody Huang Po Tonight

Hi Jundo,

I agree that those quotes ain't for beginners, especially the word for word, so I agree with everything you say.

Just find the Zen in the video, folks. It's in there somewhere. Jundo once told me that the whole Huang Po book was all koans, so I present the video as its own koan.

Or you could just have fun with the whole thread. I'm good with that.

[Jundo]

Re: Everybody Huang Po Tonight

Master Wang Chung, so 1980's

Master Huang Po. so 780's

[AlanLa]

Re: Everybody Huang Po Tonight

So apparently the 80's were awesome in different centuries. Wow! I think Huang Po's quote is the zenniest zenny ever, and the Wang Chung video is the 80-ist 80's song ever. So many similarities it boggles the mind, lol

[Hoyu]

Re: Everybody Huang Po Tonight

Jundo wrote:
Master Wang Chung, so 1980's

Master Huang Po. so 780's

:lol:

Alan wrote:
So apparently the 80's were awesome in different centuries. Wow! I think Huang Po's quote is the zenniest zenny ever, and the Wang Chung video is the 80-ist 80's song ever. So many similarities it boggles the mind, lol

:lol: :lol:
You two crack me up! Thanks for the laughs _/_

[RichardH]

Re: Everybody Huang Po Tonight

...... and the Wang Chung video is the 80-ist 80's song ever. So many similarities it boggles the mind, lol

Bah humbug! I throw down the gauntlet sir.... Here presented in full dark eyeliner, is pure 80's zen! :lol: https://<div class="videocontainer w... </a> </div>

[Jundo]

Re: Everybody Huang Po Tonight

Bah humbug! I throw down the gauntlet sir.... Here presented in full dark eyeliner, is pure 80's zen! :lol: https://<div class="videocontainer w... </a> </div>

Do I have to explain everything to you guys? :evil:

Gary Numan's "CARS" is a clear reference to leaving the shelter of the Lesser Vehicle for the One Vehicle ... Notice that "Nothing(ness) seems right":

Here in my car
Where the image breaks down
Will you visit me please
If I open my door in cars
Here in my car
You know I've started to think
About leaving tonight
Although nothing seems right in cars.

On the other hand, Wang Chang is singing about "letting the self go" in the Timeless Peace and Playful Joy of Amida's Pure Land ...

Deep in the world tonight
Our heart beats safe and sound
Let those who want to fight
Just let yourself go down

Everybody have fun tonight
Everybody have fun tonight

And don't even get me started on Bananarama, and their Tantric "fire ceremony" references to Venus/Kannon and burning up Desire!

Goddess on the mountain top
Burning like a silver flame
The summit of beauty and love
And Venus was her name

She's got it
Yeah, baby, she's got it
I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire

The real meanings came to me one night in my college dorm room back in the '80s. 8)

Gassho, J

[AlanLa]

Re: Everybody Huang Po Tonight

You want 80's songs zen lyrics? Try on some Tears for Fears, dude!
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World"
https://<div class="videocontainer w... </a> </div>

Welcome to your life (zen in a nutshell)
There's no turning back (even more zen in a nutshell)
Even while sleep
We will find you (The Buddha and buddha nature are everywhere)
Acting on your best behavior (following the precepts)
Turn your back on mother nature
Everybody wants to rule the world (turning your back on your True Nature leads to the greed for power)
It's my own design
It's my own remorse (The egoistic self run amok and suffering because of it)
Help me to decide
Help make the most
Of freedom and of pleasure (pleas to the Buddha for enlightenment)
Nothing ever lasts forever (change, impermanence)
Everybody wants to rule the world
There's a room where the light won't find you (backwards zazen in the zendo reference)
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down (reality is boundless, vow to perceive it)
When they do I'll be right behind you (sangha support for your practice)
So glad we've almost made it (enlightenment is only an eye-blink away)
So sad they had to fade it (Kannon hearing the cries of the world)
Everybody wants to rule the world
I can't stand this indecision (I can't decide what this means)
Married with a lack of vision (married Buddhists must know what this means)
Everybody wants to rule the world
Say that you'll never never never need it (the letting go of all desires)
One headline why believe it ? (trust your own experience, not what others tell you)
Everybody wants to rule the world
All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever (embrace change, because whatever power you feel you have is delusion)
Everybody wants to rule the world

[RichardH]

Re: Everybody Huang Po Tonight

Oh yeah? .. how bout a little First Noble Truth.

https://<div class="videocontainer w... </a> </div>


Mirror in the bathroom
please talk free
The door is locked
just you and me.
Can I take you to a restaurant
that's got glass tables
You can watch yourself
while you are eating.
Mirror in the bathroom
I just can't stop it,
Every Saturday you see me
window shopping.
Find no interest in the
racks and shelves
Just a thousand reflections
of my own sweet self, self, self...
Mirror in the bathroom
You're my mirror in the bathroom
You're my mirror in the bathroom
You're my mirror in the bathroom...
Mirror in the bathroom
recompense
For all my crimes
of self defense.
Cures you whisper
make no sense
Drift gently into
mental illness.
Mirror in the bathroom
please talk free
The door is locked
just you and me.
Can I take you to a restaurant
that's got glass tables
You can watch yourself
while you are eating.
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom...



oh.. the band is .. English Beat

[AlanLa]

Re: Everybody Huang Po Tonight

I'd respond to that, but I'm too busy doing Wang Chung tonight. I invite everybody to join me :mrgreen: