The Sound of a Bell

A Zen Koan.

At the peak of noon, a philosopher and a Zen master conversed as they walked through a city park. A church bell sounded in the distance.

The philosopher, a deep thinker, turned to the Zen master and asked — "Is the sound of the bell real or an illusion?"

With a smile, the Zen master answered — "Yes."

Perplexed, the philosopher insisted — "But which is it?"

The master replied — "Exactly."