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.

  • Garments of dew

    My robe has become a garment of dew.
    Unable to sleep I
    Walk out into the woods
    Suddenly, above the highest peak,
    The full moon appears.

    – Ryokan (1758-1831)

  • Tiger claws

    Into a person,
    Absolutely free
    From thoughts and emotions,
    Even the tiger finds no room
    To insert its fierce claws.

    – Shinkage

  • Birth and death

    The buddha way is, basically, leaping clear of the many and the one; thus there are birth and death, delusion and realization, sentient beings and buddhas.

    Yet in attachment blossoms fall, and in aversion weeds spread.

  • Fear

    If fear is banished,
    Where does it go?

  • Still Place

    In this still place
    I follow my nature,
    Be what it may.

    -Reizan

  • Clear thoughts

    With thoughts clear,
    Sitting silently,
    Wander into the center
    Of the circle of wonder.

    – Hongzhi Zhengjue

  • Sleep

    What does it matter,
    The new year, the old year?
    I stretch out my legs
    And all alone have a
    Quiet sleep.

    – Bankei

  • Now

    Now
    it’s all you have

  • Difficult Tasks

    Undertake difficult tasks
    by approaching what is easy in them;
    Do great deeds
    by focusing on their minute aspects.
    All difficulties under heaven arise from what is easy,
    All great things under heaven arise from what is
    minute.

    -Tao Te Ching

  • The Essential Mind

    Day and night,
    Everything is wonderful.
    Nothing you encounter confuses you.
    These are the essentials of mind.