Responsiblity Kyôsaku Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. Exodus 23:2 _(Photo ofFudo Myō-ō statue courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and a generous photographer.)_

Responsiblity Kyôsaku

Their karma is theirs, but your karma is yours.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2026/02/responsiblity-ky...

#autonomy, #bodhisattva, #Buddhism, #Christianity, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #Japan, #Judaism, #kyôsaku, #responsibility, #TheRustyRingArtGallery, #Zen

Responsiblity Kyôsaku Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. Exodus 23:2 _(Photo ofFudo Myō-ō statue courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and a generous photographer.)_

Responsiblity Kyôsaku

Their karma is theirs, but your karma is yours.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2026/02/responsiblity-ky...

#autonomy, #bodhisattva, #Buddhism, #Christianity, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #Japan, #Judaism, #kyôsaku, #responsibility, #TheRustyRingArtGallery, #Zen

Responsiblity Kyôsaku Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. Exodus 23:2 _(Photo ofFudo Myō-ō statue courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and a generous photographer.)_

Responsiblity Kyôsaku

Their karma is theirs, but your karma is yours.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2026/02/responsiblity-ky...

#autonomy, #bodhisattva, #Buddhism, #Christianity, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #Japan, #Judaism, #kyôsaku, #responsibility, #TheRustyRingArtGallery, #Zen

Responsiblity Kyôsaku Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. Exodus 23:2 _(Photo ofFudo Myō-ō statue courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and a generous photographer.)_

Responsiblity Kyôsaku

Their karma is theirs, but your karma is yours.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2026/02/responsiblity-ky...

#autonomy, #bodhisattva, #Buddhism, #Christianity, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #Japan, #Judaism, #kyôsaku, #responsibility, #TheRustyRingArtGallery, #Zen

#FudōMyōō (不動明王) along with three boy attendants dating to the #Kamakura period (1185-1333) at Gobō Jakujō-in (五坊寂静院) on Mount Kōya (高野山) in Wakayama Prefecture, #Japan. #BuddhistArt #Buddhism

#FudōMyōō (不動明王) along with three boy attendants dating to the #Kamakura period (1185-1333) at Gobō Jakujō-in (五坊寂静院) on Mount Kōya (高野山) in Wakayama Prefecture, #Japan.
#BuddhistArt #Buddhism

#fudomyoo #theimmovableone #ellispeters #illusions

A sculpted image of Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō) (不動明王) among the other four wrathful wisdom kings at Jōrakuin Temple (常楽院) in Han'nō, Saitama Prefecture, Jaoan. #BuddhistArt #Buddhism

A sculpted image of Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō) (不動明王) among the other four wrathful wisdom kings at Jōrakuin Temple (常楽院) in Han'nō, Saitama Prefecture, Jaoan.
#BuddhistArt #Buddhism

#FudōMyōō (不動明王) accompanied by his two boy sidekicks #Seitaka (制多迦童子) & #Kongara (矜羯羅童子). Color on silk, dating to the #Heian period (794-1185), from the collection of Daigo-ji (醍醐寺) in #Kyoto, #Japan. #BuddhistArt #Buddhism

#FudōMyōō (不動明王) accompanied by his two boy sidekicks #Seitaka (制多迦童子) & #Kongara (矜羯羅童子). Color on silk, dating to the #Heian period (794-1185), from the collection of Daigo-ji (醍醐寺) in #Kyoto, #Japan.
#BuddhistArt #Buddhism

Kanzeon Meditation Fictional bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Kuan Yin, Guanyin, Kanzeon, Kannon, Gwan-eum, Quan Âm) incarnates a specific insight about the nature of reality, chopped down to a simplistic platitude for the marketplace. The platitude is "Bodhisattva of Compassion", a role most evident in one of his many avatars: the Virgin Mary. (This primordial figure has both genders, befitting the quality she represents. Unfortunately this is more insight than the average monkey can chamber, so in India he's usually called a man; Western Buddhism, with its Christian influence and largely female direction, almost always cleaves to the East Asian tradition that she's a woman.) But the original Sanskrit – "Lord Who Looks Down" – is a better description of what this bodhisattva actually does. Avalokiteshvara doesn't intervene on anybody's behalf; she's not a patron saint (actual existence being a prerequisite for that job) or goddess. He just, like, looks down. Why? Because she's a compassionate dude. The more active face of this universe is something sailors readily perceive, because they have an ongoing relationship with another infinite, unfathomable entity that will happily kill you without a second thought. No, not happily. _Indifferently_. To have contempt for you, it would have to realise you exist. And it's 'way too busy for that. But the universe has another nature that's just as important: opportunity. In this infinitely generous life, we can grow, learn, change. _Practice_. An endless stream of bricks bounces off your skull, but every one of them has a note wrapped around it. Kuan Yin looks down from heaven, sees your suffering, and says, "Come on, crow meat! You're hurting both of us, here. Practice, dammit!" Because the universe wants you to succeed. It may not be snuggly and cute and sweet-smelling, but every problem here is its own cure. And if it weren't for the pain, we'd never be motivated to reach it. As one of Fudo's crew, I don't meditate much on Avalokiteshvara. But the new year puts me in mind of her. In this moment, more than others, folks think about the paths they arrived on, and those that lie ahead. Along the way we acquire great weights of resentment, and an equally crushing load of denial. We ignore life's windfalls, and our own role in pumping pain into it. But mostly, we deny the simple opportunity it gives us. This ain't hell. We can get out of this. Some time ago the following meditations invented themselves while I was sitting. I return to them from time to time, when the burden grows great. Therefore, in steely Fudoesque anticipation of the coming year, I offer them to all seekers, in the hope they may be of help to other enlightenment practices. I. _I forgive myself for not being perfect._ _I forgive others for not being perfect as well._ _I forgive my judges for not knowing the whole truth._ _I forgive humanity for containing evil people._ II. _I honour the progress I've made._ _I honour the roads of others as well._ _I honour those who evolve with courage._ _I honour this life for the opportunity to practice._ (Photo of Guanyin Bodhisattva statue courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Southeast Asian Art Collection, and the Walters Art Museum.)

Kanzeon Meditation

She's a compassionate dude.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2014/01/kanzeon-meditati...

#Avalokiteshvara, #blessing, #bodhisattva, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #meditation, #NewYears, #Zen

Kanzeon Meditation Fictional bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Kuan Yin, Guanyin, Kanzeon, Kannon, Gwan-eum, Quan Âm) incarnates a specific insight about the nature of reality, chopped down to a simplistic platitude for the marketplace. The platitude is "Bodhisattva of Compassion", a role most evident in one of his many avatars: the Virgin Mary. (This primordial figure has both genders, befitting the quality she represents. Unfortunately this is more insight than the average monkey can chamber, so in India he's usually called a man; Western Buddhism, with its Christian influence and largely female direction, almost always cleaves to the East Asian tradition that she's a woman.) But the original Sanskrit – "Lord Who Looks Down" – is a better description of what this bodhisattva actually does. Avalokiteshvara doesn't intervene on anybody's behalf; she's not a patron saint (actual existence being a prerequisite for that job) or goddess. He just, like, looks down. Why? Because she's a compassionate dude. The more active face of this universe is something sailors readily perceive, because they have an ongoing relationship with another infinite, unfathomable entity that will happily kill you without a second thought. No, not happily. _Indifferently_. To have contempt for you, it would have to realise you exist. And it's 'way too busy for that. But the universe has another nature that's just as important: opportunity. In this infinitely generous life, we can grow, learn, change. _Practice_. An endless stream of bricks bounces off your skull, but every one of them has a note wrapped around it. Kuan Yin looks down from heaven, sees your suffering, and says, "Come on, crow meat! You're hurting both of us, here. Practice, dammit!" Because the universe wants you to succeed. It may not be snuggly and cute and sweet-smelling, but every problem here is its own cure. And if it weren't for the pain, we'd never be motivated to reach it. As one of Fudo's crew, I don't meditate much on Avalokiteshvara. But the new year puts me in mind of her. In this moment, more than others, folks think about the paths they arrived on, and those that lie ahead. Along the way we acquire great weights of resentment, and an equally crushing load of denial. We ignore life's windfalls, and our own role in pumping pain into it. But mostly, we deny the simple opportunity it gives us. This ain't hell. We can get out of this. Some time ago the following meditations invented themselves while I was sitting. I return to them from time to time, when the burden grows great. Therefore, in steely Fudoesque anticipation of the coming year, I offer them to all seekers, in the hope they may be of help to other enlightenment practices. I. _I forgive myself for not being perfect._ _I forgive others for not being perfect as well._ _I forgive my judges for not knowing the whole truth._ _I forgive humanity for containing evil people._ II. _I honour the progress I've made._ _I honour the roads of others as well._ _I honour those who evolve with courage._ _I honour this life for the opportunity to practice._ (Photo of Guanyin Bodhisattva statue courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Southeast Asian Art Collection, and the Walters Art Museum.)

Kanzeon Meditation

She's a compassionate dude.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2014/01/kanzeon-meditati...

#Avalokiteshvara, #blessing, #bodhisattva, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #meditation, #NewYears, #Zen

Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō), Yuzan-ji, Okayama Prefecture, #Japan, #Heian period. #BuddhistArt #Buddhism

Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō), Yuzan-ji, Okayama Prefecture, #Japan, #Heian period.
#BuddhistArt #Buddhism

Statue of Fudo Myoo, deity of Buddhist wisdom.

Statue of Fudo Myoo, deity of Buddhist wisdom.

Statue of Fudo Myoo, deity of Buddhist wisdom.

Statue of Fudo Myoo, deity of Buddhist wisdom.

Fudō Myōō (不動明王) is the wrathful deity of Buddhist wisdom. With his sword, Acala cuts through deluded and ignorant minds, with his rope he binds those ruled by their violent passions, and with flames he consumes the evil of the world.

His rock symbolizes unshakeable peace.
#不動明王 #FudoMyoo #Acala

Stone statue of Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō) at Nyoirin-ji, #Japan. #BuddhistArt #Buddhism

Stone statue of Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō) at Nyoirin-ji, #Japan.
#BuddhistArt #Buddhism

A copy of the Sonshō #Mandara, a #mandala deployed in rituals praying for prosperity, longevity, rain, and/or the purification of sins, with the #cosmic #buddha #Dainichi #Nyorai (大日如来) in the center surrounded by emanating #buddhas & #bodhisattvas as well as #FudōMyōō to the lower left and #GōsanzeMyōō to the lower right. Kamakura period (1185-1333) at Hōjū-in (宝寿院) on Mount Kōya in Wakayama Prefecture, #Japan. #BuddhistArt #Buddhism

A copy of the Sonshō #Mandara, a #mandala deployed in rituals praying for prosperity, longevity, rain, and/or the purification of sins, with the #cosmic #buddha #Dainichi #Nyorai (大日如来) in the center surrounded by emanating #buddhas & #bodhisattvas as well […]

[Original post on mastodon.social]

Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō), Daisho-ji, Minobe Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, #Japan. #BuddhistArt #Buddhism

Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō), Daisho-ji, Minobe Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, #Japan.
#BuddhistArt #Buddhism

Seated Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō) statue, To-ji, #Japan. #BuddhistArt #Buddhism

Seated Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō) statue, To-ji, #Japan.
#BuddhistArt #Buddhism

Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō), Enpuku-ji, #Japan. #BuddhistArt #Buddhism

Fudō Myōō (#FudōMyōō), Enpuku-ji, #Japan.
#BuddhistArt #Buddhism

Good Song: Won't Back Down This week I'm posting a video tribute to Fudo, patron bodhisattva of my monastic practice. I chose John's cover for the sole reason that his voice sounds like Fudo's own to me. (Minus the Scottish accent.) Plus I get a certain adolescent sursum corda from this interpretation. But Tom's original is also great. So burn on, brother. Here in hell, you lose until you win. ☸

Good Song: Won't Back Down

Fudo's own voice

rustyring.blogspot.com/2012/11/wont-back-down.h...

#bodhisattva, #JohnCash, #music, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #TomPetty, #video

Good Song: Won't Back Down This week I'm posting a video tribute to Fudo, patron bodhisattva of my monastic practice. I chose John's cover for the sole reason that his voice sounds like Fudo's own to me. (Minus the Scottish accent.) Plus I get a certain adolescent sursum corda from this interpretation. But Tom's original is also great. So burn on, brother. Here in hell, you lose until you win. ☸

Good Song: Won't Back Down

Fudo's own voice

rustyring.blogspot.com/2012/11/wont-back-down.h...

#bodhisattva, #JohnCash, #music, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #TomPetty, #video

WW: Battered but not beaten _(I made this fudo [look left; hanging from the bell] in 2009, for friends in Spokane County. When I took care of their farm for a few weeks 6 years later, I posted a photo of ithere. It was still looking pretty smart then, all things considered. On a visit last month I noted that 16 years' continuous duty in the desert hadn't done it any favours. But given the conditions, the old warrior still serves our patron well.)_

Battered but not beaten

Well-tempered fudo.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2025/08/ww-battered-but-...

#bodhisattva, #FudoMyōō, #GoldSide, #hermitpractice, #WordlessWednesday, #Zen

WW: Battered but not beaten _(I made this fudo [look left; hanging from the bell] in 2009, for friends in Spokane County. When I took care of their farm for a few weeks 6 years later, I posted a photo of ithere. It was still looking pretty smart then, all things considered. On a visit last month I noted that 16 years' continuous duty in the desert hadn't done it any favours. But given the conditions, the old warrior still serves our patron well.)_

Battered but not beaten

Well-tempered fudo.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2025/08/ww-battered-but-...

#bodhisattva, #FudoMyōō, #GoldSide, #hermitpractice, #WordlessWednesday, #Zen

The Grandfather Paradox This graphic illustrates the grandfather paradox, a secular koan demonstrating the inability of the human mind to grasp reality. Alright, it's actually La avo-paradokso, which means "the grandfather paradox" in Esperanto, because it's still July and I'm still licensed to go a bit off the rails. And as we'll see, those rails can be hard to discern, anyway. For starters, let's acknowledge from the outset that the above premise cannot be tested, because we don't have a tempomaŝino (time machine). But that doesn't stop us using it to challenge our mental faculties. So, starting at 12 o'clock and proceeding horloĝdirekte (clockwise): I invent a time machine. I travel into the past. I kill my grandfather. My father isn't born. I'm not born. I don't invent a time machine. I don't travel into the past. My grandfather is born. My father is born. I'm born. I invent a time machine. I travel into the past... You can see that though the proposition is (science-)fictional, the conceptual challenge is real. It's an example of a reality that the human mind can't perceive: – It's impossible to kill your grandfather, because if you did, you wouldn't exist. – But you do exist, so if you could go back in time you could totally kill your grandfather. – Except you couldn't, because if you did, you'd never exist in the first place, so you couldn't kill anybody. – But you do exist, therefore… The solution? There isn't one. Not if you're human. Because your primitive reason runs on logic, which is why the all the Vidyārājas are sniggering at you. (However, consider that we might come to realise even this concept if we could live it. The human brain has the capacity to pencil out and penetrate circumstances that utterly lack logical sense, if it stands in front of them. I only hope our grandfathers arm themselves well if ever that comes to pass.) Buddhism has long taught that time is neither linear nor universal; timelines are numberless, each running at its own speed and in its own direction. The variance between the classical reincarnation of Hindu and some Buddhist worldviews, and Zen's unruly transmigration thesis, originates in this contention. That's why we developed koans, which are meant to jazz that part of the brain that can't grok the great stretch of reality that lies beyond dualistic perception. ("What was your face before your grandmother was born?" seems an à propos example.) This also goes a long way toward explaining those wild tales of monastery practice: the decades of mu-pondering, the dharma combat, insight expressed by farting and slapping and barking like a dog. Because extracranial notions exceed language. You can find an in-depth philosophical exploration of the grandfather paradox, as well as similar thought experiments, at BYJU'S page about it. And while you're there, take a moment marvel that this page was uploaded by a company that educates children. I've got a feeling India's going to be running this popsicle stand in another generation. In the meantime, why not just be nice to your grandfather? So maybe you can build your time machine without him, but who decided we needed that more than we need him? See if you can wrap your choanocytes around that, Spongebob.

The Grandfather Paradox

It's easier to do stuff when you're born.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-grandfather-...

#Buddhism, #cœnobite, #Esperanto, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #Hinduism, #India, #koan, #monastery, #paradox, #starfish, #Zen

The Grandfather Paradox This graphic illustrates the grandfather paradox, a secular koan demonstrating the inability of the human mind to grasp reality. Alright, it's actually La avo-paradokso, which means "the grandfather paradox" in Esperanto, because it's still July and I'm still licensed to go a bit off the rails. And as we'll see, those rails can be hard to discern, anyway. For starters, let's acknowledge from the outset that the above premise cannot be tested, because we don't have a tempomaŝino (time machine). But that doesn't stop us using it to challenge our mental faculties. So, starting at 12 o'clock and proceeding horloĝdirekte (clockwise): I invent a time machine. I travel into the past. I kill my grandfather. My father isn't born. I'm not born. I don't invent a time machine. I don't travel into the past. My grandfather is born. My father is born. I'm born. I invent a time machine. I travel into the past... You can see that though the proposition is (science-)fictional, the conceptual challenge is real. It's an example of a reality that the human mind can't perceive: – It's impossible to kill your grandfather, because if you did, you wouldn't exist. – But you do exist, so if you could go back in time you could totally kill your grandfather. – Except you couldn't, because if you did, you'd never exist in the first place, so you couldn't kill anybody. – But you do exist, therefore… The solution? There isn't one. Not if you're human. Because your primitive reason runs on logic, which is why the all the Vidyārājas are sniggering at you. (However, consider that we might come to realise even this concept if we could live it. The human brain has the capacity to pencil out and penetrate circumstances that utterly lack logical sense, if it stands in front of them. I only hope our grandfathers arm themselves well if ever that comes to pass.) Buddhism has long taught that time is neither linear nor universal; timelines are numberless, each running at its own speed and in its own direction. The variance between the classical reincarnation of Hindu and some Buddhist worldviews, and Zen's unruly transmigration thesis, originates in this contention. That's why we developed koans, which are meant to jazz that part of the brain that can't grok the great stretch of reality that lies beyond dualistic perception. ("What was your face before your grandmother was born?" seems an à propos example.) This also goes a long way toward explaining those wild tales of monastery practice: the decades of mu-pondering, the dharma combat, insight expressed by farting and slapping and barking like a dog. Because extracranial notions exceed language. You can find an in-depth philosophical exploration of the grandfather paradox, as well as similar thought experiments, at BYJU'S page about it. And while you're there, take a moment marvel that this page was uploaded by a company that educates children. I've got a feeling India's going to be running this popsicle stand in another generation. In the meantime, why not just be nice to your grandfather? So maybe you can build your time machine without him, but who decided we needed that more than we need him? See if you can wrap your choanocytes around that, Spongebob.

The Grandfather Paradox

It's easier to do stuff when you're born.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-grandfather-...

#Buddhism, #cœnobite, #Esperanto, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #Hinduism, #India, #koan, #monastery, #paradox, #starfish, #Zen

不動明王 #FudōMyōō, #Buddhist protective deity, अचलनाथ #Acala Naatha in Sanskrit.

不動明王 #FudōMyōō, #Buddhist protective deity, अचलनाथ #Acala Naatha in Sanskrit.

The Grandfather Paradox This graphic illustrates the grandfather paradox, a secular koan demonstrating the inability of the human mind to grasp reality. Alright, it's actually La avo-paradokso, which means "the grandfather paradox" in Esperanto, because it's still July and I'm still licensed to go a bit off the rails. And as we'll see, those rails can be hard to discern, anyway. For starters, let's acknowledge from the outset that the above premise cannot be tested, because we don't have a tempomaŝino (time machine). But that doesn't stop us using it to challenge our mental faculties. So, starting at 12 o'clock and proceeding horloĝdirekte (clockwise): I invent a time machine. I travel into the past. I kill my grandfather. My father isn't born. I'm not born. I don't invent a time machine. I don't travel into the past. My grandfather is born. My father is born. I'm born. I invent a time machine. I travel into the past... You can see that though the proposition is (science-)fictional, the conceptual challenge is real. It's an example of a reality that the human mind can't perceive: – It's impossible to kill your grandfather, because if you did, you wouldn't exist. – But you do exist, so if you could go back in time you could totally kill your grandfather. – Except you couldn't, because if you did, you'd never exist in the first place, so you couldn't kill anybody. – But you do exist, therefore… The solution? There isn't one. Not if you're human. Because your primitive reason runs on logic, which is why the all the Vidyārājas are sniggering at you. (However, consider that we might come to realise even this concept if we could live it. The human brain has the capacity to pencil out and penetrate circumstances that utterly lack logical sense, if it stands in front of them. I only hope our grandfathers arm themselves well if ever that comes to pass.) Buddhism has long taught that time is neither linear nor universal; timelines are numberless, each running at its own speed and in its own direction. The variance between the classical reincarnation of Hindu and some Buddhist worldviews, and Zen's unruly transmigration thesis, originates in this contention. That's why we developed koans, which are meant to jazz that part of the brain that can't grok the great stretch of reality that lies beyond dualistic perception. ("What was your face before your grandmother was born?" seems an à propos example.) This also goes a long way toward explaining those wild tales of monastery practice: the decades of mu-pondering, the dharma combat, insight expressed by farting and slapping and barking like a dog. Because extracranial notions exceed language. You can find an in-depth philosophical exploration of the grandfather paradox, as well as similar thought experiments, at BYJU'S page about it. And while you're there, take a moment marvel that this page was uploaded by a company that educates children. I've got a feeling India's going to be running this popsicle stand in another generation. In the meantime, why not just be nice to your grandfather? So maybe you can build your time machine without him, but who decided we needed that more than we need him? See if you can wrap your choanocytes around that, Spongebob.

The Grandfather Paradox

It's easier to do stuff when you're born.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-grandfather-...

#Buddhism, #cœnobite, #Esperanto, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #Hinduism, #India, #koan, #monastery, #paradox, #starfish

The Grandfather Paradox This graphic illustrates the grandfather paradox, a secular koan demonstrating the inability of the human mind to grasp reality. Alright, it's actually La avo-paradokso, which means "the grandfather paradox" in Esperanto, because it's still July and I'm still licensed to go a bit off the rails. And as we'll see, those rails can be hard to discern, anyway. For starters, let's acknowledge from the outset that the above premise cannot be tested, because we don't have a tempomaŝino (time machine). But that doesn't stop us using it to challenge our mental faculties. So, starting at 12 o'clock and proceeding horloĝdirekte (clockwise): I invent a time machine. I travel into the past. I kill my grandfather. My father isn't born. I'm not born. I don't invent a time machine. I don't travel into the past. My grandfather is born. My father is born. I'm born. I invent a time machine. I travel into the past... You can see that though the proposition is (science-)fictional, the conceptual challenge is real. It's an example of a reality that the human mind can't perceive: – It's impossible to kill your grandfather, because if you did, you wouldn't exist. – But you do exist, so if you could go back in time you could totally kill your grandfather. – Except you couldn't, because if you did, you'd never exist in the first place, so you couldn't kill anybody. – But you do exist, therefore… The solution? There isn't one. Not if you're human. Because your primitive reason runs on logic, which is why the all the Vidyārājas are sniggering at you. (However, consider that we might come to realise even this concept if we could live it. The human brain has the capacity to pencil out and penetrate circumstances that utterly lack logical sense, if it stands in front of them. I only hope our grandfathers arm themselves well if ever that comes to pass.) Buddhism has long taught that time is neither linear nor universal; timelines are numberless, each running at its own speed and in its own direction. The variance between the classical reincarnation of Hindu and some Buddhist worldviews, and Zen's unruly transmigration thesis, originates in this contention. That's why we developed koans, which are meant to jazz that part of the brain that can't grok the great stretch of reality that lies beyond dualistic perception. ("What was your face before your grandmother was born?" seems an à propos example.) This also goes a long way toward explaining those wild tales of monastery practice: the decades of mu-pondering, the dharma combat, insight expressed by farting and slapping and barking like a dog. Because extracranial notions exceed language. You can find an in-depth philosophical exploration of the grandfather paradox, as well as similar thought experiments, at BYJU'S page about it. And while you're there, take a moment marvel that this page was uploaded by a company that educates children. I've got a feeling India's going to be running this popsicle stand in another generation. In the meantime, why not just be nice to your grandfather? So maybe you can build your time machine without him, but who decided we needed that more than we need him? See if you can wrap your choanocytes around that, Spongebob.

The Grandfather Paradox

It's easier to do stuff when you're born.

rustyring.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-grandfather-...

#Buddhism, #cœnobite, #Esperanto, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #Hinduism, #India, #koan, #monastery, #paradox, #starfish

Dukkha Koan "You may not believe in hell, but hell believes in you." (A message from this station and Fudo Myō-ō.) _(Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and a generous photographer.)_

Dukkha Koan

A word from Fudo.

https://rustyring.blogspot.com/2025/06/dukkha-koan.html

#dukkha, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #koan, #Zen

Dukkha Koan "You may not believe in hell, but hell believes in you." (A message from this station and Fudo Myō-ō.) _(Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and a generous photographer.)_

Dukkha Koan

A word from Fudo.

https://rustyring.blogspot.com/2025/06/dukkha-koan.html

#dukkha, #FudoMyōō, #hermitpractice, #koan, #Zen

#tattoo #traditionaljapanesetattoo #horimono #irezumi #fudomyoo #munewari #shichibu #bodysuit

A statue of Fudō Myōō surrounded by hydrangeas in various shades of purple, pink, and blue at Mimuroto-ji Temple, Kyoto, Japan.

A statue of Fudō Myōō surrounded by hydrangeas in various shades of purple, pink, and blue at Mimuroto-ji Temple, Kyoto, Japan.

#kyotojapan #japan_of_insta #hydrangea #hydrangealove #ajisai #あじさい寺 #mimurotoji #三室戸寺 #uji #不動明王 #fudomyoo

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June 6, 2023