Kong-An Practice
Korean: Kong-an; Chinese: Kung-an; Japanese: Koan
Kong-An are one of the hallmarks of many schools of Zen. The Linji (Jap: Rinzai, Korean: Imje, Vietnamese: Lâm Tế) tradition has a long (and multiple) line lineage that utilize the Kong-An as a Zen practice tool. Other schools, such as the Soto (Jap.) school utilize some Koan practice, as does the Sanbo-Kyoden (Jap.) school. The Kong-an records, such as the Blue Cliff Record, the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate), the Shoyo Roku (The Book of Serenity) all have their beginnings as exhanges between Zen practitioners in ancient China. These exchanges were recorded and studied by Zen masters and students over the years. Zen teachers have used these recorded exchanges to test student's minds and understanding of Zen. This exchange is often done in private exchange between teacher and student. Kong-ans are often seen as non-rational in their language and questions that can't be answered with logical thought. Engaging in answering questions about the Kong-An is meant to be an experiential tool that helps the student cut through their attachment to thinking so that they can accurately perceive their situation, relationship, and function.
Here is a famous example:
A monk asked Zen Master Chou-chou, “Buddha said that all beings have Buddha nature. Does a dog have Buddha nature?” Chou-chou answered “Wu.”
In this exchange, the student is challenging Zen Master Chou-chou on the teachings of Buddhism. Buddha stated that all beings have Buddha nature, and when questioned if a dog has Buddha nature, Zen Master Chou-chou stated "Wu" (No!) So, to understand this teachhing point we can ask ourselves the following questions.
1. What does "Wu" mean?
2. Buddha said all beings have Buddha Nature, Zen Master Chou-chou said a dog doesn't have Buddha Nature. Who made the mistake, Buddha or Zen Master Chou-chou?
3. Does a dog have Buddha nature?
Kong-An are one of the hallmarks of many schools of Zen. The Linji (Jap: Rinzai, Korean: Imje, Vietnamese: Lâm Tế) tradition has a long (and multiple) line lineage that utilize the Kong-An as a Zen practice tool. Other schools, such as the Soto (Jap.) school utilize some Koan practice, as does the Sanbo-Kyoden (Jap.) school. The Kong-an records, such as the Blue Cliff Record, the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate), the Shoyo Roku (The Book of Serenity) all have their beginnings as exhanges between Zen practitioners in ancient China. These exchanges were recorded and studied by Zen masters and students over the years. Zen teachers have used these recorded exchanges to test student's minds and understanding of Zen. This exchange is often done in private exchange between teacher and student. Kong-ans are often seen as non-rational in their language and questions that can't be answered with logical thought. Engaging in answering questions about the Kong-An is meant to be an experiential tool that helps the student cut through their attachment to thinking so that they can accurately perceive their situation, relationship, and function.
Here is a famous example:
A monk asked Zen Master Chou-chou, “Buddha said that all beings have Buddha nature. Does a dog have Buddha nature?” Chou-chou answered “Wu.”
In this exchange, the student is challenging Zen Master Chou-chou on the teachings of Buddhism. Buddha stated that all beings have Buddha nature, and when questioned if a dog has Buddha nature, Zen Master Chou-chou stated "Wu" (No!) So, to understand this teachhing point we can ask ourselves the following questions.
1. What does "Wu" mean?
2. Buddha said all beings have Buddha Nature, Zen Master Chou-chou said a dog doesn't have Buddha Nature. Who made the mistake, Buddha or Zen Master Chou-chou?
3. Does a dog have Buddha nature?
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