Kōan

For other uses, see Koan

The kōan (;The English word comes from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese characters. ) are groupings of related questions and answers which are a paradox.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Kōan" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 535. The kōan may be a story which cannot be understood or explained easily.

The kōan can be a special kind of metaphor with a hidden meaning,Loori, John Daido. (2005). Sitting with Koans: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of Koan Study, p. 128; Wu, Kuang-Ming. (2001). On Metaphoring: A Cultural Hermeneutic, p. 656. such as "the sound of one hand clapping".Crowley, Richard J. and Joyce C. Mills. (2001). Therapeutic Metaphors for Children and the Child Within, p. 8.

History
Kōans originate in the sayings and events in the lives of wise men and legendary figures. 

A kōan can refer to a story selected from Buddhist historical records and sutras.

The kōan is a fundamental part of the history and practice of Zen Buddhism.Nussbaum, "Zen-shū" at pp. 1072-1073.

Select examples
 "Firewood becomes ash and it does not become firewood again".Dogen, Eihei. (2011). Dogen's Genjo Koan: Three Commentaries, p. 68.
 "The verbal and the nonverbal are like vines clinging to a tree".Heine, Steven and Dale S. Wright. (2000).  The Kōan: Texts and Contexts in Zen Buddhism, p. 186.

Classical kōan collections
 Blue Cliff Record or Account of the Blue Montains ; , is a collection of 100 kōans compiled in 1125 by Yuanwu Keqin (圜悟克勤 1063–1135).
 The Book of Equanimity or Book of Serenity ; [ Shōyōroku ]  is a collection of 100 Kōans compiled in the 12th century by Hongzhi Zhengjue (宏智正覺 1091–1157)Hongzhi Zhengjue is also known as Wanshi Shōgaku
 The Gateless Gate or the Gate with no Entrance ;  is a collection of 48 kōans and commentaries published in 1228 by Chinese monk Wumen (無門 1183–1260). The title may be more accurately rendered as Gateless Barrier or Gateless Checkpoint.

 References 

 Other websites 
 The Gateless Gate 48 Zen kōans compiled in the early 13th century
 Book of Serenity  A collection of 100 kōans, originally compiled in the 12th century
 Life at the Monastery  – a humorous look at kōans
 Zen Buddhism Koan Study Pages
 Koan Collections and Studies
 Short Zen Poems, Koans – Collection of modern koans.
 Zen Koans: Transcending Duality – a list of kōans
 What is the sound of one hand clapping?

Category:Metaphors
Category:Buddhism