Famous Zen Koans
Famous Zen Koans is a structured culture dataset with 13 entries. Its fields include Koan, Collection, Attributed Master. The source values are preserved as a structured reference table.
Every row is shown below and is also available as CSV, JSON, or Excel.
Dataset details
- Table scope
- All 13 rows
- Fields
- 6 columns
- Source
- Community curated
- Data updated
- Apr 9, 2026
Included fields: Koan, Collection, Attributed Master, Era, Theme, and 1 more.
The table contains every record in this dataset; the same records are available in each download format.
Preview observations
- Attributed Master groups
- 10 distinct values
- Across 13 preview rows
- Era groups
- 5 distinct values
- Across 13 preview rows
Useful for
- Comparing Koan, Collection, and Attributed Master across culture entries
- Building reference tables, charts, or analyses from 13 downloadable records
Koan↕ | Collection↕ | Attributed Master↕ | Era↕ | Theme↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mu | Gateless Gate, Case 1 | Zhaozhou (Joshu) | Tang Dynasty, 9th c. | Buddha-nature |
Sound of one hand | Hakuin's koans | Hakuin Ekaku | Edo Japan, 18th c. | Non-duality |
Original face | Platform Sutra | Huineng | Tang Dynasty, 7th c. | True self |
Wash your bowl | Gateless Gate, Case 7 | Zhaozhou | Tang Dynasty, 9th c. | Everyday mind |
Cypress tree in the garden | Gateless Gate, Case 37 | Zhaozhou | Tang Dynasty, 9th c. | Direct pointing |
Nansen kills the cat | Blue Cliff Record, Case 63 | Nansen Fugan | Tang Dynasty, 9th c. | Attachment |
Does a dog have Buddha-nature | Book of Serenity, Case 18 | Zhaozhou | Tang Dynasty, 9th c. | Yes and no |
Tozan's sixty blows | Blue Cliff Record, Case 12 | Tozan Ryokai | Tang Dynasty, 9th c. | Responsibility |
Ummon's dried shit stick | Gateless Gate, Case 21 | Ummon Bun'en | Tang Dynasty, 10th c. | Shock |
Kyogen's man up a tree | Gateless Gate, Case 5 | Kyogen Chikan | Tang Dynasty, 9th c. | Impossible bind |
Buffalo through the window | Gateless Gate, Case 38 | Goso Hoen | Song Dynasty, 11th c. | Stuck |
Not the wind, not the flag | Gateless Gate, Case 29 | Huineng | Tang Dynasty, 7th c. | Mind only |
Gutei's finger | Gateless Gate, Case 3 | Gutei | Tang Dynasty, 9th c. | One gesture |
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Frequently asked questions
How is Famous Zen Koans organized?
The table starts in the source data's default order. You can sort and filter the loaded rows by the displayed fields.
How much data is available on this page?
This dataset contains 13 entries, and every row is available in the table and in the downloadable files.
Can I download the complete dataset?
Yes. CSV, JSON, and Excel downloads contain all 13 rows. Before republishing the data, review the source and any usage terms listed on this page; dtbse does not replace the original source's licensing terms.
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