31 October 2011

When people would try to talk with him about Zen, he would only laugh hysterically.

Feuerstein (1991: p. 69) lists Han-shan (fl. 9th century) the Taoist and Zen poet, herbalist and mountain recluse (who as a pointed aside, was held in such regard by the Dharma inspired poetic beatniks of the Beat Generation) as one of the crazy-wise: "Han-shan, the legendary Chinese adept with a Cheshire-cat grin, lived alone in the most desolate mountain areas gathering roots and herbs. When people would try to talk with him about Zen, he would only laugh hysterically."[7]