koan

[ koh-ahn ]

noun

, Zen.

, plural ko·ans, ko·an.

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

A famous koan asks the novitiate to describe her face before she was born.

From Nautilus

This is one of the meanings of the famous Zen koan, “If you see the Buddha on the road, kill him.”

From The Daily Beast

This is a Zen koan of American political thought, a perfect yin and yang.

From The Daily Beast

The question of how to combat 9/11 amnesia while moving forward can feel like a Zen koan.

From The Daily Beast