Professor
Department of LinguisticsMcGill University
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 1G5 Canada
Office: 1085, Av. du Docteur-Penfield
Room 119
Phone: +1 (514) 398-4868
Fax: +1 (514) 398-7088
E-mail: brendan.gillon@mcgill.ca
It is said that the very clever Cretan, Epimenides, once travelled to India. While there, he learned of the Buddha and, eager to demonstrate his cleverness to the Indians, he requested an interview with the Buddha. He was granted the interview, but was told that he could ask the Buddha only two questions. Epimenides pondered for a very long time. Finally, satisfied that he had arrived at the two supreme questions, he went to the Buddha and asked: “Oh Lord Buddha. I have been granted the privilege of asking you but two questions. Here are my two questions: What, Oh Enlightened One, is the best question I can ask you, and what, Lord of Light, is your best answer to that question.” The Buddha closed his eyes and went into deep meditation. Then, opening his eyes he said: “Oh Cretan, the question you have asked me is the best question which you can ask; and the answer I am giving is the best answer I can give.”
