A koan is a statement, in the form of a question, an anecdote, a story, or even a dialogue, aimed at awakening an epistemological and existential doubt in the student of zen that can lead to a higher form of comprehension of reality, and ultimately, enlightenment. A koan is often of a paradoxical nature, most commonly presenting rationally unsolvable matters regarding essential opposites that can lead to an identification of object and subject and pure consciousness.
