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閑葛藤

Pronunciations

Basic Meaning: worthless phrases

Senses:

  • Sometimes referring to kōans 公案, but this compound reinforces the idea of confusion and entanglement resulting from verbal distinctions likened to vines 葛藤, by adding that they are worthless 閑. It is a distinctive expression found in Chan literature, used for instance in the Transmission of the Lamp 景德傳燈錄 (T 2076.51.358b23). Cf. 'pointless delusion'  閑妄想. It is included in the three-characters section of Zenrin kushū 禪林句集 and Lewis elaborates on the metaphor of climbing creepers, adopting Shibayama Zenkeiʼs explanation that "this refers to useless written phrases that become hindrances to practice." (See Lewis, p. 27) Compare with Kogaʼs Japanese colloquial rendition as "worthless talk" or "nonsense" (kudaranai oshaberi).

    Lewis, Robert E. 2001. Zen Grove Handbook For Zen Practice. Jacksonville, FL: Zen Sangha Press.

    [Michel Mohr; source(s): Nakamura]
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    [Dictionary References]

    Bulgyo sajeon 919a

    Zengaku daijiten (Komazawa U.) 175b

    Koga 68

    Teihon zenrin kushō (Shibayama) 18

    Bukkyōgo daijiten (Nakamura) 189b

    Bussho kaisetsu daijiten (Ono) ②90c

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    Entry created: 2013-02-05