koan

[koh-ahn]

noun

Zen.

plural

koans, koan 

1. a nonsensical or paradoxical question to a student for which an answer is demanded, the stress of meditation on the question often being illuminating.

koan

/ ˈkəʊæn /

noun

1. (in Zen Buddhism) a problem or riddle that admits no logical solution

Word History and Origins

Origin of koan¹

1945–50; < Japanese kōan, earlier koũ-an < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese gōngàn public proposal

Word History and Origins

Origin of koan¹

from Japanese

Example Sentences

Disentangling the way we perceive silence is like a Zen koan for neuroscientists—they must literally confront the sound of one hand clapping.

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Altman's early question to Kornfield, akin to a Zen koan, served as a meditation for the two techno-spiritualists on stage, transcending rational thought to confront the central paradox of AI: How will we know?

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But the best of them, when you really turn them over, are as profound as Zen koans: “If you can’t imitate him, don’t copy him.”

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Couplets like “Desperately, I / complicate your life” and “Can I be happy / in this world?” serve as koans that help listeners strive for deeper understanding.

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My favorite Keanu koan, and one that more movie stars would do well to heed, is this: “Act without expectation.”

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