Zen Koans

76. The Stone Mind

76. The Stone Mind

Hogen, a Chinese Zen teacher, lived alone in a small temple in the country. One day four traveling monks appeared and asked if they might make a fire in his yard to warm themselves.

While they were building the fire, Hogen heard them arguing about subjectivity and objectivity. He joined them and said: "There is a big stone. Do you consider it to be inside or outside your mind?"

One of the monks replied: "From the Buddhist viewpoint everything is an objectification of mind, so I would say that the stone is inside my mind."

"Your head must feel very heavy," observed Hogen, "if you are carrying around a stone like that in your mind."

New Releases Classic Ninja Titles Invisible Fist Stealth and Invisibility Dim Mak CIA Instant Self-Defense Ninja Alchemy Ninja Magic Ninja Weapons Dragon Lady of the Ninja Other Ninja Schools Black Dragon Page Grandmaster Lawrence Day Shihan Ernie Reynolds Soke Michael Robinson Shihan Jeremy Schmidt Master of Komuso Ryu DOJO Training Manuals Ultimate Fighting MMA Grappling Skills Legend of the Guru Martial History E-Books American Homeguard Homeguard II Homeguard III Strategy and Tactics Unique Publications 21st Century Martial Arts Bruce Lee Kung Fu Karate Reiki Yoga Self-Help Bodhi Sanders Aikido Kenjutsu Privacy Anonymous Authors Humor and Novelty Survival Conspiracy Unexplained Paladin Press Loompanics Desert Publications Military Manuals Circus of Dr. Lao Movies Classic Ninja Videos NINJA Training Videos DOJO Training Videos Invincible Kung Fu Black Belt Training Videos Good Health and Longevity Unique Videos Backyard Black Belt Grandmasters Video Qi TV Series Nei Gong and Shen Self-Defense Basics Healing and Massage Dowsing Series 21st Century Qi Gong Therapy