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in philosophies. Their seriousness does not allow them to laugh, to sing, to dance, to be merry. They have spoiled the whole of humanity, they have destroyed the laughter of every child who has been born.
It seems there is something in laughter of which our so-called society is afraid. It is afraid, because laughter is going to expose its hypocrisy. Then you will see laughter everywhere, because hypocrisy is all around; but society has forced you to be insensitive to it.
Now look, just by the side of Maneesha, a gorilla is sitting. Gorilla, sir, will you stand up?
That's good.
Soon it is going to be very difficult, if tigers and gorillas hear you -- and they are bound to hear, be-cause here is a place where they can be respected.
AFTER HYAKUJO HAD BECOME A MASTER IN HIS OWN RIGHT, HE ASKED OBAKU WHERE HE HAD COME FROM.
OBAKU SAID, "FROM GATHERING MUSHROOMS AT THE FOOT OF MOUNT DAIYU."
"DID YOU SEE THE TIGER THERE?" ASKED HYAKUJO.
OBAKU ROARED LIKE A TIGER. HYAKUJO LIFTED UP HIS AXE AND MADE AS IF TO CHOP HIM DOWN. OBAKU GAVE HYAKUJO A SLAP.
HYAKUJO SANG OUT AND LAUGHED, AND WENT BACK TO HIS SEAT. TO THE MONKS HE SAID, "AT THE FOOT OF MOUNT DAIYU THERE IS A TIGER WHICH YOU POSITIVELY MUST SEE. YOUR OLD HYAKUJO HAS JUST HAD A WORD WITH HIM."
So playful, so childlike, so non-serious, so alive is the approach of Zen.
It is perfectly good for tigers and lions and deer to come to this gathering. They will appear, for this gorilla is going to spread the news. Gorilla sir, please be silent, although it is not your way, neither is it in your nature; but please don't start gossiping about this temple. We don't want tigers and lions, because we don't have space. Just wait a little... once we have got a bigger space, which we will be getting, then you can bring all the gorillas -- you must have friends, a wife, children. A gorilla does not believe in celibacy, he is not a Catholic monk.
And having a few gorillas here dancing with you will be a real joy. Today you will have to be satisfied with only one. But when one comes, a second will be close behind him.
Just a few miles from here
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