Kōan

A kōan is, in the Zen Buddhism, a question that a teacher might ask to their disciples to test their progress.  To solve them the pupil must avoid rational thinking and grasp the state of mind needed for each specific kōan, getting somehow enlighted.

The purpose of kōans for a Zen practitioner is to become aware of the difference between themselves, their mind, and their beliefs, which influence how they see the world; and, ultimately, to help them realise their true nature.

In Western culture they could be assimilated to oxymoron, antithesis or paradox.

Si alguno quiere profundizar y leer más kōan, hay varias páginas, la más completa y que tiene parte de ellos traducidos al español es la del enlace.

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