Kōan facts for kids

For other uses, see Koan

The kōan (Chinese: 公案; Korean: 공안, romanized: kong'an) are groupings of related questions and answers which are a paradox. 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, such as "the sound of one hand clapping".

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.

Select examples

• "Firewood becomes ash and it does not become firewood again".
• "The verbal and the nonverbal are like vines clinging to a tree".

Classical kōan collections

• Blue Cliff Record or Account of the Blue Montains Chinese: 碧巖錄; Japanese: Hekigan-roku, 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 Chinese: 從容録; Japanese: 従容録, romanized: Shōyōroku is a collection of 100 Kōans compiled in the 12th century by Hongzhi Zhengjue (宏智正覺 1091–1157)
• The Gateless Gate or the Gate with no Entrance Chinese: 無門關; Japanese: Mumonkan 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.

See also

In Spanish: Kōan para niños