Dōgen and koans

Dōgen was a 13th-century Zen Buddhist teacher who emphasized direct experience and mindful awareness in daily life. Koans are paradoxical questions or statements used in Zen practice, designed to challenge logical thinking and provoke insight. Rather than seeking straightforward answers, practitioners meditate on koans to deepen their understanding of reality beyond words and concepts. Together, Dōgen's teachings and koans encourage a direct, experiential grasp of existence, emphasizing presence, simplicity, and awakening through disciplined reflection rather than intellectual analysis.