The Seven Koan Categories

Zen Master Sungsan taught that there are many ways to answer Koan's and some Koan's are structured in such a way that the appropriate way to answer them is dependent on knowing these categories of koans.

1. Without Like This.
maintain complete silence, true emptiness, only don’t know.

2. Become One Like This.
demonstrate primary point, hit floor or shout Katz!

3. Special Energy.
magic style, 270º question/answer.

4. Only Like This.
the cup is cup, or stick is brown.

5. Subject Just Like This.
when you are hungry, what? Eat!

6. Object Just Like This.
if someone is hungry, what? Give them food!

7. Dharma Exchange.
how can you express yourself outside of thought? You must not hesitate!

If you are working on a particular koan, or holding a hau'tou and you don't understand it, then not understanding is where you are right now. If you maintain a not understanding mind eventually your not knowing mind will become stronger and stronger. Once this not knowing and you become one, you will then be able to maintain the great question and have great doubt. When you can finally allow this not knowing to permeate all of your senses, then you will attain complete enlightenment. If you keep a small question, then small enlightenment is possible. There are many kinds of enlightenment; first enlightenment, second enlightenment, third enlightenment, and then finally, no enlightenment. No enlightenment is perfect enlightenment.