It is useful to think of our ancestors as pioneers as they have gone on before us and lead the way. They can show us in their relevance a timelessness beyond orthodox linear restriction. Taoists “hold” a view of vertical time where ALL knowledge is timelessly available beyond mere temporal mapping. Throughout the temporal stream masters of esoteric know-how have struggled with the ability to pass on their illuminated realised learning.
Koans represent one method and creative solution to teaching this transmission. Koans, literally “public cases” to generate “Great Doubt”, were often born from the spontaneous sparring of fellow travellers of the Way with jarring humour, bemusement,shock or deep compassion used in the moment to dispel the confusion of students.
In the Rinzai sect of Zen (Chan- Linji) in particular koan study became a formalised way to test the depth of a student’s grasp of enlightened being and push them through self made barriers or conditioning. Pithy cryptic koan riddles and encounters give us a rich opportunity to see the world through the eyes of past masters into the expansive NOW. Wisdom teachers or saints share their light to transform our hearts beyond time.
John Tarrant, in his wonderful book “Bring me the Rhinoceros”, suggests that koans are “vials of ancient light” where we have the opportunity to glimpse the world in this way. There is a direct transmission of Ultimate Realisation communicated in these “stories” in addition to their literary value. Seeing as they see, boundaries of time dissolve and we can perceive the same extraordinary insights or view. As a koan gives up its treasure, often after committed struggle, Wumen Huikai (Song period Chan master) wittily suggests that we “tangle up our eyebrows” with those of its instigator.
Koans represent one method and creative solution to teaching this transmission. Koans, literally “public cases” to generate “Great Doubt”, were often born from the spontaneous sparring of fellow travellers of the Way with jarring humour, bemusement,shock or deep compassion used in the moment to dispel the confusion of students.
In the Rinzai sect of Zen (Chan- Linji) in particular koan study became a formalised way to test the depth of a student’s grasp of enlightened being and push them through self made barriers or conditioning. Pithy cryptic koan riddles and encounters give us a rich opportunity to see the world through the eyes of past masters into the expansive NOW. Wisdom teachers or saints share their light to transform our hearts beyond time.
John Tarrant, in his wonderful book “Bring me the Rhinoceros”, suggests that koans are “vials of ancient light” where we have the opportunity to glimpse the world in this way. There is a direct transmission of Ultimate Realisation communicated in these “stories” in addition to their literary value. Seeing as they see, boundaries of time dissolve and we can perceive the same extraordinary insights or view. As a koan gives up its treasure, often after committed struggle, Wumen Huikai (Song period Chan master) wittily suggests that we “tangle up our eyebrows” with those of its instigator.
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