morganphillipsland » koans

OH, C-TOWN

admin — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:34:47 +0000

Q: Is it a bad sign when the grocery store’s response to a mysterious(?) odor in the frozen food section is just to spray a dizzy-making amount of air freshener everywhere?

A: Yes, it is a bad sign.

Q: Can we draw a life lesson from this?

A: Yes. If something “smells bad” in your “frozen food section,” don’t just “spray a lot of air freshener everywhere.”

Q: What are you talking about?

A: I don’t know.

THE TWO MONKS AND THE LOST PUPPY

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:46:44 +0000

Two monks walking through the countryside came upon a tiny puppy. There were no dwellings for miles around, so it seemed clear that the poor little creature was lost. It greeted the monks happily, licking their outstretched hands and yipping at them in an excited fashion.

The first monk suggested that they carry the dog with them to the temple. “Surely someone there will want to care for such an adorable little dog.”

“You bring up an interesting point,” said the second monk. “It is true that this dog is adorable, and that someone will therefore be likely to wish to care for it. But what would happen if this dog was not so adorable?”

“It is impossible to say,” said the first monk. “Unless we perform an experiment. I propose that we disfigure the face of the dog with sharp rocks from the river, and see if anyone will offer to care for it.”

“What is wrong with you?” Asked the second monk. “Are you some sort of freak?”

“Back off,” said the first monk, angrily. “I thought that was what you were suggesting we do.”

“No, of course not,” said the second monk. “I was just saying, was all.”

The two monks walked on in silence. They transported the dog to the temple, where it was quickly adopted by a group of young men who fastened a tiny red bandanna around its neck and used it as a way to start conversations with beautiful ladies.

THE TWO MONKS

admin — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:42:35 +0000

Two monks were making the long journey from one temple to another. As they walked they came upon a rich woman standing still in the middle of the road. The rich woman had reached a particularly muddy patch, and was loathe to dirty the hem of her expensive silken garment.

The first monk put the rich woman on his back and carried her across the patch of mud. The monks continued their journey, and when at long last their destination was within sight, the second monk could no longer contain himself.

“Why did you carry that rich woman across the patch of mud? It was not your responsibility to do so.”

The first monk replied, “I put that woman down hours ago. Are you still carrying her?”

The second monk realized his error, and smiled.

“Plus, I copped a feel,” confessed the first monk. And then the monks fist-bumped.