Koan

2 definitions found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  koan
       n : a paradoxical annecdote or a riddle that has no solution;
           used in Zen Buddhism to show the inadequacy of logical
           reasoning

From Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) [jargon]:



  koan /koh'an/ n. A Zen teaching riddle. Classically, koans are
     attractive paradoxes to be meditated on; their purpose is to help one to
     enlightenment by temporarily jamming normal cognitive processing so that
     something more interesting can happen (this practice is associated with
     Rinzai Zen Buddhism). Defined here because hackers are very fond of the
     koan form and compose their own koans for humorous and/or enlightening
     effect. See {Some AI Koans}, {has the X nature}, {hacker humor}.