koan

Turkish - Turkish

Definition of koan in Turkish Turkish dictionary: Zen Budacılığında rahip adaylarının meditasyon eğitiminde kullanılan kısa ve çelişkili önerme ya da soru

English - English

Definition of koan in English English dictionary: A riddle with no solution, used to provoke reflection on the inadequacy of logical reasoning, and to lead to enlightenment
As always the koan “Why, Why am I here, why here” begins in her head, but she beats it back like a housewife with a broom.; A story about a Zen master and his student, sometimes like a riddle, other times like a fable, which has become an object of Zen study, and which, when meditated upon, may unlock mechanisms in the Zen student’s mind leading to satori
Zen master Gutei raised his finger whenever he was asked a question about Zen. A young novice began to imitate him in this way. When Gutei was told about the novice’s imitation, he sent for him and asked him if it were true. The novice admitted it was so. Gutei asked him if he understood. In reply the novice held up his index finger. Gutei promptly cut it off. The novice ran from the room, howling in pain. As he reached the threshold, Gutei called, “Boy!” When the novice turned, Gutei raised his index finger. At that instant the novice was enlightened.; In Zen Buddhism, a brief paradoxical statement or question used as a discipline in meditation. The effort to solve a koan is designed to exhaust the analytic intellect and the will, leaving the mind open for response on an intuitive level. There are about 1,700 traditional koans, which are based on anecdotes from ancient Zen masters. They include the well-known example "When both hands are clapped a sound is produced; listen to the sound of one hand clapping; a paradoxical annecdote or a riddle that has no solution; used in Zen Buddhism to show the inadequacy of logical reasoning; {i} paradoxical question given to a student (Zen Buddhism)