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What is a Koan?
Magwang
Veteran
In Zen Buddhism, a koan is a statement or question that is intended to bring about an "enlightenment" moment. Usually nonsensical and confusing, they are supposed to break the barrier between our normal mode of thinking which is rational, and our intuition which is the only way to see our true nature.
On retreat some years ago, I came up with my own koan. Since the retreat was kept in silence, we were told that if we need to ask a question, we were to write it down on a piece of paper and leave in a bowl for the monks.
Partly out of mischief, and partly out of my own serious curiosity, I left a note that said only:
"Who is it that reads this note?"
...never got a response, never expected one.
On retreat some years ago, I came up with my own koan. Since the retreat was kept in silence, we were told that if we need to ask a question, we were to write it down on a piece of paper and leave in a bowl for the monks.
Partly out of mischief, and partly out of my own serious curiosity, I left a note that said only:
"Who is it that reads this note?"
...never got a response, never expected one.
0
Comments
(same mixture of curiosity and mischief)