When playing pluzzle games with friends if we are in position of loosing then we forward one of the riddles to friends. Riddle seems funny, difficult to catch answers. If riddles are answered then we play Trump card of koan. Then we win
Today, let us decode the koan of hen and egg. Which one is first the hen or egg?
What is a koan?
Koan has a Japanese origin. It is used in Zen Buddhism which means a paradoxical statement. These statements seek deep contemplation on the subject matters. They can be solved but can't be answered . Only metaphors can be assumed and delivered. They are solved by proper understanding of words, nature, analytical capacity and a will power.
When we solved or find answer to any questions regardless of subject matters then always remember , "FOUND OUT ANSWER IS NOT THE ULTIMATE ANSWER BUT IS ONE OF THE ANSWERS FROM A OCEANS OF ANSWERS". This is the important point that one should keep in mind. If you believe that what you found is the final one then ," CONGRATULATIONS! YOU MADE YOURSELF TO FALL IN THE ILLUSION OF THIS WORDS/WORDS"
Hen and Egg
Everyone is familiar with Hen and egg. No need to go on telling what is it?
Hen means the grown up chicken. It also symbolizes the adult being znd also the perfection that one can be. It's the perfect form.
Hen is also capable of laying egg. Then, this egg hatches to chicken and chicken grows to hen.
Everyone understands this cyclic process this goes on and on never ending. But the prime part of this Koan is hidden in , "WHICH ONE IS FIRST?". Hen and egg are only the ellipsis that can be neglected.
Which one is first?
First doesn't stand soley . It need some reference to stand . Suppose in the numbers starting from 101 to 200, the first number is 101, while from the other side that is right side the first number is 200. In case of natural number the first number is 1 and in whole number system it is zero. See, first stands there but as references changes it's value also changes.
If we only take one number and say , which one is first number from left side and which one is from right side?. It is useless to point out the answer of such question.
In addition to above , first is also connected to time. In a race ,starting from same initial point, we call them first which reaches to the final point faster than others. Without time we can't say which one is first? And which one is second? And so on.
In some patterns , time symbolizes the rules that it follows.
In science world , we see things in reference to the graph of energy and time. Energy can also be attached to the position of matter. Energy is determined by the position of matter. I am pointing out this point in order to make you understand that time encompasses two things
Certain order that has been followed
Differences i.e. comparison.
Comparison is rooted to time . If there is no time then there is no difference also. If we see child and oldy one then their difference is due to time. If we neglect the time then is there any difference ? No nah!. So understand that , time is always connected to the differences.
From here we understand that,
To be first , there must be
More than one variables within the some pattern
There must be some reference.
Most importantly the time.
Now time to enter into the koan.
Which one is first the hen or chicken?
Let's decode it,
Variables: hen and egg
Reference : circular pattern.
Time : form,structure of variables
Variables and the circular pattern
Now which one is first? Hen or egg. They are in circular order , hen lays egg and egg hatches and there evolved the hen . Again hen lays. This goes on and on in a circular pattern.
In a circular pattern , we can't say which one is first and which one is last? But if it is matter of finding the first then the first one is that where we give our attention. If our focus is on hen then obviously hen is the first then only egg comes. And if our attention is on egg then obviously eggs are the first one.
Circular pattern carries the metaphor that both are first and both are last. If we give emphasis on finding out which one is first. Otherwise , it is insane to distinguish between the initial and final point in circular pattern.
Variables and the time
As I mentioned above, time is what makes differences in form . It makes possibility to see things in different forms.
If in X time reference , if there is egg. And when at the time Y , if it changes it's form to hen. And also if Y is greater than X , then only we say , egg is first. And if Y is less than X then we say , hen is first.
If there is no time, then both are the first and both are the last.
Now you know , which one is first one? and which is last one? Also you know how to make one as first one and other as last one.
And that is not the metaphor of the koan of hen and egg.
As I repeated drop down the hen and egg , the koan is of understanding the time, how time plays with our understandings? How we are diverted from subject matters when we fail to hit the appropriate reference ?
Hen and eggs only symbolizes the differences created by time. It's only play of time that makes us to follow in the trap of comparison.
The prime message that this Koan holds is to get in the point that comparison lies within time. If no time, no comparison.
As mentioned above, this is only one way of seeing the koan of hen and egg. You can analyzed in millions and millions ways.
Take your time to decode yourself. I tried my best to decode it from the core point. May you come out with different insight.
Thank you, for your time.....
This post is a bit confusing but to me, the hen is first because the egg needs the hen to keep it warm till it hatches