What is a koan? A koan is a riddle, paradox, or short story used in the Zen tradition. Provoke deep reflection and break through habitual patterns of rational thought. Koans often appear to have no logical solution. They are designed to lead the practitioner to a direct experience of reality or a state of awareness beyond dualistic thinking. They are used as tools for meditation and spiritual practice, aimed at helping practitioners reach a deeper understanding of their true nature and of reality.
This Bright pearl koan is one of the many paradoxical stories or enigmas that form part of the Zen tradition. Koans are used in Zen practice to help practitioners transcend rational thought and access a deeper understanding of their true nature and reality. Origin and Meaning of the Bright Pearl Koan of Ikka This koan…
The Principle of “Mind Itself Is Buddha” The principle of “mind itself is Buddha” is well known in Zen, but many people have misunderstood it. They think, “if our mind here and now is Buddha, then our behavior must always be correct, and therefore we don’t need to make any effort to understand or realize…
Koan on the Teaching Never Explained The teaching never explained is a Zen koan that conveys a teaching of the Buddha. In a moment close to his death, the Buddha confessed to his disciples that he had explained nothing. What is this teaching that he never explained? A koan is a Zen riddle that challenges…
Genjokoan: A Zen Meditation Workshop The Genjokoan is a text written by the Japanese Zen master Eihei Dōgen, who in the 13th century introduced the Sōtō Zen school of Buddhism in Japan. Genjokoan can be translated as “Realization of the Present Moment” or “Awakening with the Whole Universe.” Shobogenzo The Genjokoan is a chapter from…
What is a koan? In the zazen shin koan meditation, we will introduce the koan “polishing a tile.” A koan is a riddle used in Zen practice to help students transcend logic and attain a deeper understanding of reality. Koans are part of Zen teaching and serve as tools to provoke an experience of enlightenment…
The meditation with koan “Mu” is one of the most well-known koans within the Zen tradition. A koan is a kind of riddle or paradoxical question used in Zen practice to induce the awakening of the mind. The koan “Mu” has its origin in a dialogue between Master Joshu and one of his disciples. Koan…
