What are kōans?

What are kōans?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight June 3, 2022 Duration: 19:01

Bright on Buddhism Episode 32 - What are kōans? What is the doctrine behind them? How are they used?

Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism; Chan Master Sheng Yen: Orthodox Chinese Buddhism; Nagarjuna: Verses of The Middle Way (The Madhyamakarika); Conze, Edward, trans. The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines and Its Verse Summary. Bolinas, CA: Four Seasons Foundation, 1973.; The Bodhisattva Vow: A Practical Guide to Helping Others, page 1, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1995) ISBN 978-0-948006-50-0; Flanagan, Owen (2011-08-12). The Bodhisattva's Brain: Buddhism Naturalized. MIT Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-262-29723-3.; Williams, Paul, Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations, Routledge, 2008.; Hori, Victor Sogen and Hori, Victor Sogen. Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Koan Practice. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824865672; Aitken, Robert Baker (1991). The Gateless Barrier: The Wu-Men Kuan (Mumonkan). New York: North Point Press/Farrar.; Besserman, Perle; Steger, Manfred (2011). Zen Radicals, Rebels, and Reformers. Wisdom Publications.; Bodiford, William M. (1993). Sōtō Zen in Medieval Japan. University of Hawaii Press.; Foulk, T. Griffith (2000). The form and function of kōan literature. A historical overview. In: Steven Heine and Dale S. Wright (eds.)(2000), The Kōan. Texts and contexts in Zen Buddhism. Oxford University Press.; Griffith Foulk, T. (2000). The Form and Function of Koan Literature. A Historical Overview. In: "The Kōan. Texts and contexts in Zen Buddhism", Steven Heine and Dale S. Wright, eds. Oxford: Oxford University Press.; Shields, Leland E. “Zen Koans as Myths Reflecting Individuation.” Jung Journal: Culture & Psyche 4, no. 4 (2010): 65–77. https://doi.org/10.1525/jung.2010.4.4.65.; Heine, Steven. “Kōans in the Dōgen Tradition: How and Why Dōgen Does What He Does with Kōans.” Philosophy East and West 54, no. 1 (2004): 1–19. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1399859.; Barry Stephenson. “The Kōan as Ritual Performance.” Journal of the American Academy of Religion 73, no. 2 (2005): 475–96. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4139806.; VAN SCHAIK, SAM. The Spirit of Zen. Yale University Press, 2018. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv8jnzg7.; HEINE, STEVEN. Zen Koans. University of Hawai’i Press, 2014. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt13x1jvp.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by tweeting to us @BrightBuddhism, emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com, or joining us on our discord server, Hidden Sangha https://discord.gg/tEwcVpu!

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host



Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Dōgen - Passages from Shōbōgenzō [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:55
Bright on Buddhism - Dōgen - Passages from ShōbōgenzōJoin us as we read the Kazuaki Tanahashi translation of "Actualizing the Fundamental Point," "Being-Time," and "Body-and-Mind Study of The Way."Resources: Dogen, Trans…
What was the Saffron Revolution of 2007? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:06
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 123 - What was the Saffron Revolution of 2007? What were the circumstances that caused it? What is its legacy?Resources: The Group Protesting the Murder of Mr. Nagai by the Army of MyanmarBur…
Kōan Series - Banzan's "3 Worlds, No Dharma" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:07
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 12 - Banzan's "3 Worlds, No Dharma"Hello and welcome to a new episode of the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to try and better understand…
Buddhish 23 - Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:17
Buddhish - Episode 23 - Music Join us as we nerd out about music together.Music list: Nick –Leo Leo - https://www.youtube.com/@leoleothebandMakoto Matsushita - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCprewYlxsT-7hK6_nM7jCQMasa…
What were the nikaya schools? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:58
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 121 - What were the nikaya schools? What did they believe? What happened to them?Resources: Baruah, Bibhuti (2000). Buddhist Sects and Sectarianism. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 978-81-7625-152-5.; Nak…
Who is Vairocana? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:56
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 120 - Who is Vairocana? What is his history? How ought we understand him?Resources: Birmingham, Vessantara (2003). Meeting The Buddhas, Windhorse Publications, ISBN 0-904766-53-5.; Cook, Fran…
What is the role of music in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:25
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 119 - What is the role of music in Buddhism? What are some instruments that are commonly used in ritual? How ought we understand music in Buddhism? Resources: https://buddhiststudies.stanford…
Buddhish - The Saturday Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:03
Bright on Buddhism - Buddhish 22 - The Saturday EditionJoin us as we begrudgingly discuss the end of our streak of never missing uploads! https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/flood-relief#/Do you have a question about Buddhism…
Lotus Sutra Chapter 2 - Skillful Means [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:03
Chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 2 of the Burton Watson translation of the Lotus Sutra!Resources: Hurvitz, Leon. 1976. Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma. New York: Col…