What is the sound of one hand
clapping?
(Koan)
First reaction
One hand cannot clap. There is no sound.
Exploration
What is the question asking us?
Is the koan suggesting that one hand can clap alone?
Can a hand clap by itself when the very action of 'clapping' is the banging
together of two hands?
Does the question serve to highlight what is missing?
Possible meaning
Clapping involves two hands. It is a relationship. It is not possible
to clap without a second hand.
The two hands make a sound because they work together.
One hand makes no noise. Clapping is defined by the relationship of the hands.
The process of clapping requires the joining of two different parts.
A human being cannot exist in the world without relationship.
Our bodies all consume the same air, eat food and interact with countless
insects, germs and creatures every single day.
It is simply not possible to live in true isolation.
Even if there are no people around, we are still breathing.
A fish is one with the water and dies outside the river. Humans are one with our
environment and die outside of it.
The front of our body is related to the back.
Men relate to women and humans cannot reproduce without this harmony of
relationship.
Everything is balanced by something else.
A hand cannot clap without help.
Page created 19 May 2005