Episode 14: What Is the Sound of One Kōan Clapping?

You've probably heard about kōans, those enigmatic zen dialogs that make no sense. Jundo and Kirk discuss the origin and history of kōans, what they mean, how they work, and what the sound of one hand clapping really is. Treeleaf Zendo Kōan (Wikipedia) Tang dynasty (618–907) Song dynasty (960–1297) John Daido Loori (Wikipedia) Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind Zen Flesh, Zen Bones Dahui Zonggao (Wikipedia) Hakuin Ekaku (Wikipedia) Episode 11: The Dokusan Room is Kinda Baloney Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Koan Practice The Blue Cliff Record The Gateless Gate The Book of Equanimity The True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen's Three Hundred Koans Like Cats and Dogs: Contesting The Mu Koan In Zen Buddhism The Book of Mu: Essential Writings on Zen's Most Important Koan Theme music by Kiku Day. To submit a question, send an email to [email protected]. If you like the podcast, please subscribe in iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast.