Of One Hand Clapping
by oscarthepig

Comment:
What is the Sound of the Single Hand? When you clap together both hands a sharp sound is heard; when you raise the one hand there is neither sound nor smell. Is this the High Heaven of which Confucius speaks? Or is it the essentials of what Yamamba describes in these words: "The echo of the completely empty valley bears tidings heard from the soundless sound?" This is something that can by no means be heard with the ear. If conceptions and discriminations are not mixed within it and it is quite apart from seeing, hearing, perceiving, and knowing, and if, while walking, standing, sitting, and reclining, you proceed straightforwardly without interruption in the study of this koan, you will suddenly pluck out the karmic root of birth and death and break down the cave of ignorance. Thus you will attain to a peace in which the phoenix has left the golden net and the crane has been set free of the basket. At this time the basis of mind, consciousness, and emotion is suddenly shattered; the realm of illusion with its endless sinking in the cycle of birth and death is overturned. The treasure accumulation of the Three Bodies and the Four Wisdoms is taken away, and the miraculous realms of the Six Supernatural Powers and Three Insights is transcended.

The way you have set up your photo is very nice, simple but with good composition and a real Zen feel to it. I wish you had not cropped the bottom part of the table legs.
For those who are into Zen this image certainly conveys a feeling of silence. 6

Ellipsis...
by lej

Comment:
It's a pity that so many people have come up with the image of someone pressing their forefinger against their lips to convey silence. Rather then convey silence it's more an admonition to be quit. This one is well executed though. 6

Tranquility
by Ter

Comment:
Certainly looks quite tranquil and conveys a pretty good feeling of silence in the forest. 5

Tranquil Beast
by robinssong

Comment:
Nice wildlife capture and does convey a feeling of silence. Good detail. 6

Silence of the bells
by tiby_dicu

Comment:
Excellent tones,lovely detail and an interesting composition. Also the image conveys a feeling of silence quite effectively. 6

Put a cork in it!
by PaulE

Comment:
Humorous and well executed image but does not really convey a strong feeling of silence to me. 6

Stillness
by tooter

Comment:
The snow has been nicely exposed and shows good detail but the forest area in the background looks a little flat and can be improved upon by giving it a touch of contrast. Conveys a good feeling of silence and the path leads the eye nicely into the picture. 6

Sunrise in the hills
by Zerosiz

Comment:
Great image with a beautiful softness and nice tones. It really conveys "Silence" well but the halo's caused by lens flare detract from the image somewhat. 6

peace at last
by vawendy

Comment:
WOW! Stunning brilliant image. Sure to finish in the top 10. Fits the challenge perfectly. I can feel the silence. Super composition. Lovely cat.

Message edited by author 2009-02-05 02:59:41.

Silence after the Song
by Schmeldontino

Comment:
Nice composition,nice detail and good tones but it does not convey to me a feeling of silence. 5