How is this sutra different from my ass?
-
Michel Dijkstra
Abstract
In Zen Buddhism humour is used in a soteriological way. Zen masters confront their disciples with (practical) jokes in order to free their minds and discover enlightenment. In this essay, I investigate the humour of enlightenment by first pointing out the influence of Daoist humoristic stories on Zen. Next, three dimensions of Zen jokes are highlighted, namely relativism, the way of cutting through illusion and liberating intimacy. With the help of humour, Zen masters like Linji and the Japanese teenager Satsujo teach their disciples that they should not cling to their views. This relativism leads to an insight into one’s own illusions. Once these false views are literally ‘laughed away’ one can discover a liberating connection with all things.
Abstract
In Zen Buddhism humour is used in a soteriological way. Zen masters confront their disciples with (practical) jokes in order to free their minds and discover enlightenment. In this essay, I investigate the humour of enlightenment by first pointing out the influence of Daoist humoristic stories on Zen. Next, three dimensions of Zen jokes are highlighted, namely relativism, the way of cutting through illusion and liberating intimacy. With the help of humour, Zen masters like Linji and the Japanese teenager Satsujo teach their disciples that they should not cling to their views. This relativism leads to an insight into one’s own illusions. Once these false views are literally ‘laughed away’ one can discover a liberating connection with all things.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the contributors ix
-
Part I. Humour as tool and topic (essays)
- Humour, risk and religion 3
- Religion and humour 11
- The unquenchable laughter of the gods 17
- Is the application of modern humour theories on historical cases a joke? 23
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Part II. Christianity and Judaism in Late Antiquity
- Derisive laughter and religious identity in ancient Christianity 33
- Opponent or advocate? 47
- “This joke has gone on for long enough” 63
- The smile of the martyr 81
- Divine mockery and laughing Rabbis 93
- Converting comedians 107
- Biblical fun 127
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Part III. The Qur’an and early Arabic literature
- Humour and its ethics 145
- A laughing God, between Sunni approval and Shi’ite rejection 155
- Poetic parodies of Islamic discourses by Abū Nuwās 183
- Greek and Buddhist jokes and their corresponding versions in classical Arabic literature 207
-
Part IV. Buddhism
- How is this sutra different from my ass? 221
- Finicking monkeys 235
- “Are you really serious?” 253
-
Part V. Conclusion
- Humour in religion 273
- Index 301
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the contributors ix
-
Part I. Humour as tool and topic (essays)
- Humour, risk and religion 3
- Religion and humour 11
- The unquenchable laughter of the gods 17
- Is the application of modern humour theories on historical cases a joke? 23
-
Part II. Christianity and Judaism in Late Antiquity
- Derisive laughter and religious identity in ancient Christianity 33
- Opponent or advocate? 47
- “This joke has gone on for long enough” 63
- The smile of the martyr 81
- Divine mockery and laughing Rabbis 93
- Converting comedians 107
- Biblical fun 127
-
Part III. The Qur’an and early Arabic literature
- Humour and its ethics 145
- A laughing God, between Sunni approval and Shi’ite rejection 155
- Poetic parodies of Islamic discourses by Abū Nuwās 183
- Greek and Buddhist jokes and their corresponding versions in classical Arabic literature 207
-
Part IV. Buddhism
- How is this sutra different from my ass? 221
- Finicking monkeys 235
- “Are you really serious?” 253
-
Part V. Conclusion
- Humour in religion 273
- Index 301
