Elephant and Flea
Roshi Kapleau agreed to educate a group of psychoanalysts
about Zen. After being introduced to the group by the
director of the analytic institute, the Roshi quietly sat
down upon a cushion placed on the floor. A student entered,
prostrated before the master, and then seated himself on
another cushion a few feet away, facing his teacher. "What
is Zen?" the student asked. The Roshi produced a banana,
peeled it, and started eating. "Is that all? Can't you show
me anything else?" the student said. "Come closer,
please," the master replied. The student moved in and the
Roshi waved the remaining portion of the banana before the
student's face. The student prostrated, and left.
A second student rose to address the audience. "Do you all
understand?" When there was no response, the student
added, "You have just witnessed a first-rate demonstration
of Zen. Are there any questions?"
After a long silence, someone spoke up. "Roshi, I am not
satisfied with your demonstration. You have shown us
something that I am not sure I understand. It must be
possible to TELL us what Zen is."
"If you must insist on words," the Roshi replied, "then Zen
is an elephant copulating with a flea."
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