I choose the “No Work, No Food”. Apparently I chose this koan primarily because it appeals to me personally. In essence, it applies to the real life because the work is mandatory for realizing one’s basic needs, particularly food. Technically, one who does not work reaps nothing and consequently becomes hungry because he or she will have nothing to eat. Additionally, this koan offers an insightful philosophy regarding work and the consequent outcome of it, in essence this koan act an encouragement to those working hard and advice to those that are lazy.
I find this koan quite significant and meaningful to me personally owing the life experience I have since gained. In concurrence with the aforementioned koan, my life experiences have thought me on how always to work hard to get what you want. Apparently, this koan is not only applicable to food but all cases in life where you work to achieve a particular outcome. The koan has various implications embedded to it. It not only acts as an encouragement to those that work hard to achieve a particular target or outcome but also criticises the over dependent and lazy people in the society. Considering that I hold high regards to the work incorporated in the bible, I find this koan to be more appealing because it relates to 2 Thessalonians 3:10. (For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat" (Barker and Donald 967). It is even written in the bible that work is mandatory towards accomplishing one’s basic needs particularly food. Based on this I find this article more appealing and significant and meaningful.
The aforementioned koan expresses the intellects of Zen and the aptitude to employ philosophical perspectives and critical thinking in formulating life related significant sayings and quotes.
Works Cited
Barker, Kenneth L, and Donald W. Burdick. The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI:
ZondervanPublishingHouse, 2005. Print.
