Speech and Silence in the Mumonkan: An Examination of Use of Language in Light of the Philosophy of Gilles Deleuze

Open-Ended Tangled Hierarchies: Zen Koans and Paradox in Public Administration

“…[three pounds of flax!]" [11] There are two important traditions associated with koans: commenting on old cases, a practice which began around the tenth century in China; and contemplating phrases, which began during the eleventh or twelfth centuries. [ Discourse records containing accounts of Zen masters who lived in the tenth century describe instances of masters commenting on sayings selected from the records of ancient patriarchs.…”

“…For instance, in a koan from the Gateless Barrier, Tozan is asked about the nature of Buddha and replies "Three pounds of flax!" Goodchild [11] points out that it is possible to read the impenetrable reply as a statement of doctrine, which may be interpreted to indicate that Buddha is present in everything. However, Goodchild notes that this interpretation does not rule out other possible solutions to the problem posed by the koan.…”

“…Many koans repeat the theme that "the active mind of the questioner remains upon the level of subjective desires and abstract concepts, whereas the response relinquishes such matters and returns to the surface of everyday life." [21] Loori, [22] Goodchild, [11] and others note that the "deluded" students or interrogators in koans often arrive at this insight about immediate experience via "paradoxical" gestures, or actions that are inexplicable in response to the situation, involving a blow or the cutting off of a finger, arm, or other body part. For example:…”

“…Goodchild observes that the enigmatic actions within koans resemble Deleuze's description of univocal nonsense, which displaces both language and reality. [11] A traditional view of koan paradox is that words and language are mere instruments used to trigger a state of consciousness that transcends language. This view derives from key beliefs addressed by many Mahayana sutras regarding the inadequacy of language.…”