Fuckin' eastern philosophy hogwash.

I think the question was mistranslated or something:

The sound of one hand
Two hands clap and there is a sound. What is the sound of one hand?
— Hakuin Ekaku
"...in the beginning a monk first thinks a koan is an inert object upon which to focus attention; after a long period of consecutive repetition, one realizes that the koan is also a dynamic activity, the very activity of seeking an answer to the koan. The koan is both the object being sought and the relentless seeking itself. In a koan, the self sees the self not directly but under the guise of the koan...When one realizes ("makes real") this identity, then two hands have become one. The practitioner becomes the koan that he or she is trying to understand. That is the sound of one hand." — G. Victor Sogen Hori, Translating the Zen Phrase Book[10]
This particular koan has a number of famously spurious or incorrect answers in American pop culture. These include Bart Simpson flapping his fingers against his palm, snapping fingers, slapping the teacher's face, the sound of dead air (usually crickets) as a joke falls flat (a "white out", in the Japanese), and other drollery. Simply because the subject is imbued with reverence does not preclude imbuing failure to understand with irreverence.



That is a hell of a lot more philosophical than "what is the sound of one hand clapping". That question implies that one hand is clapping, which makes no sense as in order to clap you have to have two surfaces. So basically, WHO CARES. IT'S FOR STUPID BALD MONKS TO THINK ABOUT WHILE THEY MEDITATE.

Eeeeek!

Thats how I got kicked out of a religious ed class at school.
I can actually clap with one hand. I am able to dislocate my knuckles.
Lets just say the chaplain wasn't impressed. I got him to swear!

It is, but Eastern Philosophy isn't really our cup of tea. And quite frankly, as I have a degree in the subject, I can tell you that Eastern Philosophy is more of a philosophy of worldviews (religious beliefs) than the actual abstract, scientific thought one usually thinks of when they hear the word "philosophy."

I generally don't think of philosophy in a scientific way, I do think of it as an abstract form of thinking, but eastern or not, I think of philosophy as a means of expanding one's own awareness and accessing higher planes of thought and wisdom. When I posted the thread I actuallly was curious as to the answer. I've heard the question before and often contemplated it, but the definition wicked posted seems to have cleared it up a bit. After reading that I understand the question better and can say I know the answer. :-)

Well, philosophy is a science. Many don't realize that when they consider the subject, but Continental and Analytical philosophies adhere to the very same princples as science. Analaytical philosophy, like physical and mathematical sciences, follows precise rules governing logic . . . that is, all premises must be both valid and sound, as well as the conclusion, for a statement to be garnered as logical and truthful. Whereas Continental philosophy, like metaphysical sciences, are also concerned with validity and soundness to reach a logical and truthful conclusion, but they do so under the guidelines of abstraction.

So, now you know. AND KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE!

Well, thats interesting. I guess I come from more of different standpoint. You and most people tend to think in a more linear fashion, whereas I (and I have been told this) do not. It's sort of an indian thing, we tend to think more circularly whereas most other cultures adopt a linear way of thinking and that's where I think a lot of confusion comes from.

I don't see how you can gather that I think on a linear plane (being that I am a philosopher) based on my previous post . . . but whatev.

The death of humans self righteous morals and beliefs. In other words the second coming.

Lol !! One handded clapping is just a little less noisey then useing 2 ( Self also can one hand clap or clap with both hands singley ...) ya....

I happen to think that monks are rather smart.

Especially the ones who had the idea to record Benedictine chants and sell them in album form. Good old religious guilt. "Buy the album or go to hell."

Not really but it would have been a good marketing scam.

Ahhahaha battle of the "Philosopheirs"! No my community college degree means my philosophy e-peen is larger!!!

They aren't that smart, they take a vow of poverty and give up pussy.

Yeah, but at the same time, that may have a thing there.

It's also a reason for people to do that who were doomed to that anyway. Maybe that's how it started. They were completely broke virgin losers and they just decided to make it a religious thing. It was the back-then version of D&D.

[Not to make fun of people who play D&D, all my friends play...but I guess that doesn't stop me from making fun of them.]