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122 Zen Koans
Find enlightenment with these one-hundred twenty-two traditional Buddhist Zen koans -- stories, dialogues, questions, or statements, used in Zen-practice to provoke the "great doubt," and test a student's progress in Zen practice.
77 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 9, 2017
...
Once upon a time, Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, went to an assemblage of Buddhas. By the time he arrived, all had departed except for the Buddha Sakyamuni and one girl. She was seated in a place of highest honor, deep in meditation. Manjusri asked the Buddha how it was possible for a mere girl to attain a depth of mediation that even he could not attain. The Buddha said, "Bring her out of meditation and ask her yourself." So Manjusri walked around the girl three times [a gesture of reverence], then snapped his fingers. She remained deep in meditation. He then tried rousing her by invoking all his magic powers; he even transported her to a high heaven. All was to no avail, so deep was her concentration. But suddenly, up from below the earth sprang Momyo, an unenlightened one. He snapped his fingers once, and the girl came out of her meditation.
Once upon a time, Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, went to an assemblage of Buddhas. By the time he arrived, all had departed except for the Buddha Sakyamuni and one girl. She was seated in a place of highest honor, deep in meditation. Manjusri asked the Buddha how it was possible for a mere girl to attain a depth of mediation that even he could not attain. The Buddha said, "Bring her out of meditation and ask her yourself." So Manjusri walked around the girl three times [a gesture of reverence], then snapped his fingers. She remained deep in meditation. He then tried rousing her by invoking all his magic powers; he even transported her to a high heaven. All was to no avail, so deep was her concentration. But suddenly, up from below the earth sprang Momyo, an unenlightened one. He snapped his fingers once, and the girl came out of her meditation.
October 16, 2020
I no longer believe in the whole ‘enlightenment’ thing but I found this book on my kindle (thought I’d deleted all spiritual books), I was able to read this as it is without getting sucked back in, koans are just little mind games which cannot really be solved, I personally wouldn’t expend too much mental energy trying to solve them (in the hope of gaining enlightenment), in my view it’s a false promise designed to make you chase your tail and buy more books, although I could be wrong...
February 18, 2019
This book contains small stories meant to engage the mind in such a way as to question assumptions about reality. Some are fairly easy to understand, a fair number yield answers after introspection, and some I still am trying to understand.
February 21, 2020
Stories to reflect upon
A variety of Buddhist koans to provide reflection, spiritual enhancement and enlightenment. The reading of these koans compliment any Buddhist journey.
A variety of Buddhist koans to provide reflection, spiritual enhancement and enlightenment. The reading of these koans compliment any Buddhist journey.
February 21, 2021
Excellent, grasshopper
Simple Koan reads. Some make sense to the western mind, some do not.
I fear not the dark nor the rainstorm.
Simple Koan reads. Some make sense to the western mind, some do not.
I fear not the dark nor the rainstorm.
December 27, 2025
only for those already enlightened
Mostly Nice enough stories, but I don’t think they are are Koans, they are much too long ( ? )
Mostly Nice enough stories, but I don’t think they are are Koans, they are much too long ( ? )
April 14, 2022
Oddly enough, I skeptically got a sliver of enlightenment.
I have said enough about moonlight, Ask no more. Only listen to the voice of pines and cedars when no wind stirs
I have said enough about moonlight, Ask no more. Only listen to the voice of pines and cedars when no wind stirs
July 29, 2016
Good reading
Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Many of the sayings, parables/koans I have encountered before and it's always nice to read them once more. I now move on to The Blue Cliff Record. I have found similarities between Zen wisdom and Sufism, so if you like this, try some Idries Shah books.
Something some one said to me was, "If you take nothing away from it, it is a good read; if you take something away from it, then it is a good read. If you learnt something from reading it, think again and reread it. If you think you enjoyed it, think again. And if you didn't enjoy it, you haven't learnt anything. If you don't understand what I am saying, then strike yourself on the head until you understand. Sudden or gradual, enlightenment is seldom understood."
Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Many of the sayings, parables/koans I have encountered before and it's always nice to read them once more. I now move on to The Blue Cliff Record. I have found similarities between Zen wisdom and Sufism, so if you like this, try some Idries Shah books.
Something some one said to me was, "If you take nothing away from it, it is a good read; if you take something away from it, then it is a good read. If you learnt something from reading it, think again and reread it. If you think you enjoyed it, think again. And if you didn't enjoy it, you haven't learnt anything. If you don't understand what I am saying, then strike yourself on the head until you understand. Sudden or gradual, enlightenment is seldom understood."
February 15, 2021
Zen Koans
Unreasonable to read koans once and think you've got the point, but enjoyable nonetheless. Many had me laughing to myself and others made me reflect on my own life. An easy $1 purchase for me.
Unreasonable to read koans once and think you've got the point, but enjoyable nonetheless. Many had me laughing to myself and others made me reflect on my own life. An easy $1 purchase for me.
October 9, 2014
You want me to rate a book on zen?
You won't find enlightenment here (where will you?) but the stories are short and amusing.
You won't find enlightenment here (where will you?) but the stories are short and amusing.
April 1, 2015
This book needs to be read, savored, and studied in book form. The kindle doesn't do it justice.
January 16, 2016
It made me laugh in a warm bath
Every story is a story and intriguing,, and of all the questions it asks, what is enlightenment that I should ask.
Every story is a story and intriguing,, and of all the questions it asks, what is enlightenment that I should ask.
February 23, 2025
Perfect
A great read, perfect little Zen koans to read. None are deep or hard, just beginner friendly, everyone friendly stuff.
A great read, perfect little Zen koans to read. None are deep or hard, just beginner friendly, everyone friendly stuff.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews