“The Sound of the One Hand: 281 Zen Koans with Answers” (edited and translated by Yoel Hoffmann)

When first published in 1916 this book caused quite a stir in Japan for “giving away” the answers to Zen koans. The first koan is a classic, “The Koan on the Sound of the One Hand: In clapping both hands a sound is heard; what is the sound of the one hand? ANSWER: The pupil faces his master, takes a correct posture, and without a word, thrusts one hand forward.” Most of the koans develop in riddle-like form. “MASTER: A man walks straight. How will you walk straight through the forty-nine curves of the narrow mountain road? ANSWER: Twisting and turning, the pupil winds about the room as if walking a narrow mountain road.” Some of the koans are quite coarse. “MASTER: Why do birds shit on Buddha’s head? ANSWER: “What the hell! Some damned bird shit on my head!” Saying this, the pupil makes the pretense of shaking it off his head.” The pupil often even seems to disrespect the master’s questions. “MASTER: It is said that big waters and small waters all return to the eastern sea. The waters of the Sumida River—where will they flow back to? ANSWER: The pupil opens the front of his kimono and pretends to urinate.” Many of the koans teach proper time and place. “MASTER: How can you enter the realm of Buddha without leaving the realm of the devils? ANSWER: When in the living quarters, I converse with the guests. When retuning to the meditation hall, I sit in meditation.” Many of the koans require some back and forth, “Before and After: A monk asked Master Chimon, “What is the lotus flower before it appears above water?” Chimon said, “It is a lotus flower.” The monk said, “What is it after it has appeared above water?” Chimon said, “It is a lotus leaf.” MASTER: “Before it appears above water”—in place of Chimon, on your own, answer the question. ANSWER: “An earthernware mortar.” MASTER: “After it has appeared above water”—what of it? ANSWER: “A rice cake.”” Few among the koans actually deal with the Buddha and enlightenment explicitly. “Buddha’s Master: Master Hoen said, “Even Buddha and Miroku [a legendary bodhisattva] are his slaves. Tell me who he is.” ANSWER: The pupil enumerates such names as “Gonbe, Hachibe, Ohichi, Osan” [common Japanese names of men and women].”