04-18-2011, 12:00 AM
Thanks for your response on both Gonzo.
When I replace the word 'koan' with 'question' in the cut and paste below from Hakuin (Wikipedia) I like it as an answer to my original questions:
The most important and influential teaching of Hakuin was his emphasis on, and systematization of, practice. Hakuin deeply believed that the most effective way for a student to achieve insight was through extensive meditation on a koan. The psychological pressure and doubt
that comes when one struggles with a koan is meant to create tension
that leads to awakening. Hakuin called this the "great doubt", writing,
"At the bottom of great doubt lies great awakening. If you doubt fully,
you will awaken fully". Only with incessant investigation of their koan
will a student be able to become one with the koan, and attain
enlightenment.
When I replace the word 'koan' with 'question' in the cut and paste below from Hakuin (Wikipedia) I like it as an answer to my original questions:
The most important and influential teaching of Hakuin was his emphasis on, and systematization of, practice. Hakuin deeply believed that the most effective way for a student to achieve insight was through extensive meditation on a koan. The psychological pressure and doubt
that comes when one struggles with a koan is meant to create tension
that leads to awakening. Hakuin called this the "great doubt", writing,
"At the bottom of great doubt lies great awakening. If you doubt fully,
you will awaken fully". Only with incessant investigation of their koan
will a student be able to become one with the koan, and attain
enlightenment.