Interpreting koan
What is the
colour of wind?
(Koan)
In touch
Have you ever read zen
koan?
Students are asked to offer commentaries on koan,
Tao Te Ching and
martial theory before being taught new
material.
You are invited to
notice things, to examine, explore, see
further and find things out for
yourself.
If you do not see the details, how can you progress?
Orthodox zen/Zen Buddhism
There are many orthodox answers and rituals associated
with koan.
These do not interest our school.
Zen
is not concerned with
traditions and rituals, it is the raw
immediacy of the
moment, the spontaneity of the now.
Koan offer a simple insight into how we perceive
reality.
Do not get caught up in religious doctrine and conceptual arguments.
Background
knowledge is not required.
Zen is
simple not complicated.
If somebody gives you an
answer, do not be so quick to accept it. Find out for
yourself.
Interpretation
We
look at each koan in three stages:
First reaction
Exploration
Possible meaning
The first
reaction is crucial, for it contains the
answer. Even if it makes no sense.
Exploration takes you further - you
consider what the answer might mean and investigate wider implications.
There is no final stage. 'Possible
meaning' is a provisional
insight, subject to later revision.
Your understanding of the koan will deepen and change as you change.
None of the koan interpretations mentioned on this website are complete.
Working through a koan needs to be a one-to-one experience - with ideas
being bounced off the student - stretching the mind for a more comprehensive
insight.
Later, it can be difficult to recall the meanderings of the discussion but
understanding has deepened nonetheless.
More...
Page created 18 May 2005