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Category: koan

In Zen Buddhism, enigmatic or paradoxical questions used by teachers to develop students’ intuition. Also refers to religious problems encountered in daily life.

  • Single leaf

    DSC02652 - autumn leaves

    “If I pick up a single leaf and go into the city, I move the whole mountain.”
    ~ Yuan wu (1063-1135)

  • Consider the world light

    Consider the world light,
    And the spirit is not burdened;
    Consider the myriad things slight,
    And the mind is not confused.
    Consider life and death equal,
    And the intellect is not afraid;
    Consider change as sameness,
    And clarity is not obscured.

    ~ Lao-tzu

  • Closed out the old year

    Fireworks at Southbank
    Closed out the old year
    And held a dream of spring behind
    Eyes shut, till now
    This morning I open them to see
    It’s really come into the world

    ~ Saigyo

  • Is there anything else to remember?

    I only open my eyes for the spring wind
    And the autumn moon.

    ~ Hamhur Kiwha (1376-1433)

  • Don’t covet

    Not knowing its strength,
    The mosquito sucked too much blood to fly.
    Don’t covet what others value.
    You’ll pay for it someday.

    ~ Naong Haegun (1320-1376)

  • The essential technique of zazen

    Go to a quiet place, sit in lotus posture, and place one hand on top of the other.

    Without leaning to either side, bring your ears into alignment with your shoulders.

    Open your eyes only halfway and fix your attention on the tip of your nose.

    Rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth.

    Throw away your body and your life.

    Looking from the inside, your self has no mind.

    Forget also about your connections with others.

    Looking from the outside, there is no mind anywhere to be found.

    If random thoughts should occur to you unexpectedly, let them go straight away. Do not follow them. This is the essential technique of zazen.

    ~ Mugai Nyodai (d. 1298)
    ( Zen Sourcebook Traditional Documents from China, Korea, and Japan )

  • The valley stream

    Rain, hail, snow, and ice:
    All are different,
    But when they fall
    They become the same water
    As the valley stream.

    – Ikkyu (1394-1481)

  • Dust in the eye

    One grain of dust in the eye
    Will render the Three Worlds
    Too small to see
    ~ Muso Soseki (1275-1351)

  • Wandering

    My treasure is the cloud on the peak
    The moon over the valley
    Travelling east or west
    Light and free on the one road
    I don’t know whether I’m on the way
    Or at home.

    ~ Muso Soseki (1275-1351)

  • leave the world behind

    I’ve left the world far behind,
    My robe is covered with moss;
    A small bundle of firewood burns,
    Brightening the night.

    ~ Ryokan (1758-1831)