The Best Introduction to Zen Kōans
The Best Introduction to Zen Kōans
The Spiritual Sundays Newsletter. Volume #1
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Often while seeking spiritual knowledge our thinking become so intellectually dogmatic that we push ourselves into a corner, or even a mental prison. The solution to this may be the study of Kōans.
In practice a kōan, which is deeply rooted in Zen philosophy and is a core element of the Spiritual Path is dialogue, questions, or statements, the meaning of which cannot be understood by logic or rational thinking, but which may be accessible through intuition or lateral thinking.
Anyone seeking to lead a meaningful life through the study of Essential Zen is likely to ask the following questions:
What is the meaning of kōans ?
What is an example of a koan?
What is koan and what is its purpose?
How do I use Zen kōans ?
I will address all of these questions in today’s newsletter (not necessarily in the order asked).
What is the Meaning of Kōans ?
The word kōan is a Japanese rendering of a Chinese term which serves as a metaphor for unique principles of reality that transcend the private opinion of any one person or group.
A kōan may be no more than a seemingly meaningless thought you can use to solve problems or access wisdom. It does so through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious to the logical mind, and is unlikely to be obtained through the use of traditional inductive or deductive thinking. In essence kōans may consist of various perplexing element(s), including contradiction, paradox and ambiguity. Some contain a concise but critical word or phrase derived from a particular story that is designed to disrupt logical thought.
A kōan is not to be answered but rather to be contemplated upon. Kōans may possess an evolving meaning for which there is seldom an appropriate or correct response. It cannot be understood through reason, common sense or the intellect; it is not a riddle or a puzzle with a perfectly right answer.
What are Examples of a Well-Known Kōans ?
What is the sound of one hand clapping?
Every Day Is a Good Day: Unmon said: "I do not ask you about fifteen days ago. But what about fifteen days hence? Come, say a word about this!" Since none of the monks answered, he answered for them: "Every day is a good day."
No Cold and Heat: A monk asked Tozan, "How can we escape the cold and heat?" Tozan replied, "Why not go where there is no cold and heat?" "Is there such a place?" the monk asked. Tozan commented, "When cold, be thoroughly cold; when hot, be hot through and through.
The Short Staff: Shuzan held out his short staff and said, "If you call this a short staff, you oppose its reality. If you do not call it a short staff, you ignore the fact. Now what do you wish to call this?"
Joshu's Mu: Joshu (A.D. 778-897) was a famous Chinese Zen Master who lived in Joshu, the province from which he took his name. One day a troubled monk approached him, intending to ask the Master for guidance. A dog walked by. The monk asked Joshu, "Has that dog a Buddha-nature or not?" The monk had barely completed his question when Joshu shouted: "MU!"
The Purpose of a Koan is…?
Basically the purpose if, there is any, is to become more spiritually Awake.
Of course appropriate responses to a kōan will vary-different teachers may demand different responses to a given kōan, and the answers may vary by circumstance. With kōan practice you cut through mental concepts and logical thinking. In this way a shift in perception brings you from ordinary thought to pure awareness. Kōans often seem paradoxical, but can also show you the assumptions and paradoxes that have come into existence in your way of thinking.
The purpose behind contemplation on kōans is to witness your own mind and transcend your usual sense of subject and object, perceiver and perceived. Long ago Zen kōans were generally handed down verbally from master to student. Over centuries This practice ultimately created a rich oral tradition. As in Zen, reducing unnecessary struggle on the Wisdom path is best achieved by seeking the guidance of a qualified teacher. Such a wise teacher can provide instruction and guidance in all aspects of your Practice particularly your kōan practice. If you wish to explore kōan based thinking you can begin the classic way by exploring some of the many books containing kōans. They bear some similarity to judicial decisions that cite and sometimes modify precedents but there is no one definitive kōan collection. A kōan collection is a public record of the notable sayings and actions of disciples and masters passing on their teachings to others.
How to use Zen Kōans?
Over the many centuries numerous interpreters have influenced the way the term kōan is used. One of the core places to contemplate on these kōans is during meditation practice. Here kōans may assist you to become aware of the distinction between yourself, your mind, and your beliefs. By doing so you can influence how you view the world. Ultimately, kōans can help you realize your true nature. Kōans are where the spiritual, the mystical and quantum thinking become one. To think and view kōans as an anti-intellectual stream of thought in esoteric Eastern Mysticism is a mistake. To engage a kōan is to also explore fuzzy logic, quantum through and the type of non-linear mathematics that explores discoveries based on ambiguity, contradiction and paradox.
Once you are aware of your mind as an independent form, the kōan may make sense to you and the core teaching point will be realized. This is why the “Pure Moment”- where one becomes “One” with a kōan is often called “Realization”. Some respected masters have repeatedly pointed out that the paradox of everyday life experience is the most fundamental of all kōans. If you wish to explore classic Zen kōan and stories in greater depth there are many compilations available.
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Author: Hey there. My name is Lewis Harrison, and I created this newsletter. I am a transformational coach, teacher, and prepper. I am a proponent of entrepreneurism and also a writer and seminar leader. The author of over twenty books, and numerous self-improvement, business success, and personal development courses, I am the former host of a talk show on NPR Affiliated WIOX91.3 FM.
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