koan

[ˈkəʊ.æn]

koan Definition

a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and provoke enlightenment.

Using koan: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "koan" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  What is the sound of one hand clapping? This is a classic koan.

• Example

  The teacher gave the student a koan to meditate on.

• Example

  Koans are often used in Zen Buddhism to help students reach enlightenment.

koan Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for koan

• puzzle
• enigma
• mystery
• paradox
• riddle

Phrases with koan

• mu koan

  a famous koan that asks the question 'What is the sound of the wind through the trees?'

  Example

  The mu koan is one of the most well-known koans in Zen Buddhism.

• Joshu's dog

  a koan that asks the question 'Does a dog have Buddha-nature?'

  Example

  Joshu's dog is a famous koan that has been studied by Zen Buddhists for centuries.

• the gateless gate

  a collection of 48 koans compiled in the 13th century by the Chinese Zen master Wumen Huikai

  Example

  The gateless gate is a classic collection of koans used in Zen Buddhism.

Origins of koan

from Japanese 'kōan', meaning 'public case'

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Summary: koan in Brief

A 'koan' [ˈkəʊ.æn] is a paradoxical anecdote or riddle used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the limitations of logical reasoning and encourage enlightenment. Examples include 'What is the sound of one hand clapping?' and 'Does a dog have Buddha-nature?'. Koans are often used in meditation and study to help students reach a deeper understanding of Zen teachings.