The sound
The following story is told of a Japanese Chan (Zen) master:
During his travels through Asia, the teacher visited various monasteries, temples and many other Chan (Zen) masters. He shared his experiences, views and thoughts, experienced incredible moments, impressions and incidents, for years he traveled around as a simple man.
His reputation at home was impeccable, people were waiting for his return so that he would then tell about his wanderings. Even the Japanese emperor heard about the stories of the traveling teacher, the longer the absence lasted, the greater the curiosity, they wanted to know what had happened to the master on his explorations, what the other countries were like, what food, what teachings, what ideals unite the people there.
When the Chan master arrived back in Japan, everyone wanted to talk to him, including the emperor. The master was asked to come to the court of the regent to satisfy the monarch's interest, to be the first to tell him about his impressions, to describe the interesting journey in all details, to explain all his thoughts. The emperor thirsted for the adventures and the new knowledge.
The Chan master bowed in reverence to the ruler and paused in deep silence before the throne, the men looking at each other, examining each other, noticing every emotion in the other's face.
Then the master took out of his pocket a small flute, which had accompanied him on all his journeys, with which he had played as often as he could, and which was dear and important to him. He put it to his mouth and played ONE SINGLE TONE, put the flute back down, fell silent again, the men stared at each other for a while, the master put the flute back in his pocket, bowed, turned and left.
The monarch was completely astonished, speechless, what was the meaning of this, did the master want to insult him, did he have no respect, should he have him brought back? But the emperor did nothing, fell into brooding, thought about the meeting for a long time; again and again the face of the master appeared in his thoughts, the sound, the sound of the flute dug itself deeply into his consciousness.
It is reported that the emperor never forgot the incident and found "enlightenment" in old age itself. The sound of the flute is said to have remained in his memory.
Today I recorded the sound of my master stick (similar to singing bowls), the sound when the two halves of bamboo meet in my hand!
There is no more beautiful sound than the gnashing of teeth of a mate
- Groucho Marx - US actor - 1890 to 1977
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