I want to see some koans

Search: koan

Why: As I'm watching "The West Wing," I keep wondering: Is it possible for Moira Kelly to be more unappealing than she is on this show?

It's unknowable, but does it count as a koan? The only one I remember (or have ever been taught, probably) is, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

Answer: First, a definition: "a problem or riddle that admits no logical solution"; "a nonsensical or paradoxical question to a student for which an answer is demanded, the stress of meditation on the question often being illuminating."

The word literally means "public document."

It refers to a statement made by a Master to a student of Zen or a discussion or dialogue between Master and student. The purpose of a Koan is to open the mind and perception to the truth. Koans are questions or riddles designed as instruments by the Zen Master to aid the student in finding the truth behind the everyday images of reality.

Some are short and some are long, some questions and some stories. Some examples:

• The Monk Mayo asked this question of the Sixth patriarch: "What is Zen?" The Patriarch replied, "When your mind is not dwelling on the dualism of good and evil, what is your original face before you were born?"

• Ummon asked: "The world is such a wide world, why do you answer a bell and don ceremonial robes?"

• Unmon said: "I do not ask you about fifteen days ago. But what about fifteen days hence? Come, say a word about this!" Since none of the monks answered, he answered for them: "Every day is a good day."

• A monk asked Fuketsu: "Without speaking, without silence, how can you express the truth?" Fuketsu observed: "I always remember spring-time in southern China. The birds sing among innumerable kinds of fragrant flowers."

• Twenty monks and one nun, who was named Eshun, were practicing meditation with a Zen master. Eshun was very pretty even though her head was shaved and her dress plain. Several monks secretly fell in love with her. One of them wrote her a love letter, insisting upon a private meeting. Eshun did not reply. The following day, the master gave a lecture to the group. When it was over, Eshun arose, addressing the one who had written to her. She said, "If you really love me so much, come and embrace me now."
  

• A monk saw a turtle in the garden of Daizui's monastery and asked the teacher, "All beings cover their bones with flesh and skin. Why does this being cover its flesh and skin with bones?" Master Daizui took off one of his sandals and covered the turtle with it.

• A monk asked Ummon: "What is Buddha?" Ummon answered him: "Dried dung."

Just go to sleep.

Source: China Page, The Gateless Gate, Ashida Kim

The More You Know: Toooooepiiiiiick