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[Japanese, lit. “public notice” or “public document”] An anecdote, question or statement containing a paradox, used in [[Zen]] Buddhism as a form of spiritual training to open the student’s intuitive mind or as a test of a student’s level of attainment. | [Japanese, lit. “public notice” or “public document”] An anecdote, question or statement containing a paradox, used in [[Zen]] Buddhism as a form of spiritual training to open the student’s intuitive mind or as a test of a student’s level of attainment. Koans are not solvable by the reasoning mind or intellect. In order to solve a koan the student must attain the same level of intuitive understanding as that from which the master spoke the words of the koan. | ||
According to the teachings of Zen Buddhism there are about 1,700 koans, of which 500 to 600 are used by Zen masters today. | |||
The following is an example of a koan: If you meet a man of Tao on the way, greet him neither with words nor with silence. Now tell me, how will you greet him? | The following is an example of a koan: If you meet a man of Tao on the way, greet him neither with words nor with silence. Now tell me, how will you greet him? |