Editing Koan (section)

==== {{transliteration|ja|Kōan}} curricula ====
In Rinzai a gradual succession of {{transliteration|ja|kōan}} is studied.{{sfn|Besserman|Steger|2011|p=148}} There are two general branches of curricula used within Rinzai, the Takuju curriculum, and the Inzan curriculum. However, there are a number of sub-branches of these, and additional variations of curriculum often exist between individual teaching lines which can reflect the recorded experiences of a particular lineage's members. {{transliteration|ja|Kōan}} curricula are, in fact, subject to continued accretion and evolution over time, and thus are best considered living traditions of practice rather than set programs of study.

While Hakuin only refers to break-through {{transliteration|ja|kōan}}, and "difficult to pass" {{transliteration|ja|kōan}} to sharpen and refine the initial insight and foster compassion, Hakuin's descendants developed a fivefold classification system:{{sfn|Besserman|Steger|2011|p=148}}

#{{transliteration|ja|Hosshin}}, dharma-body {{transliteration|ja|kōan}}, are used to awaken the first insight into {{IAST|[[sunyata]]}}.{{sfn|Besserman|Steger|2011|p=148}} They reveal the {{IAST|[[dharmakaya]]}}, or Fundamental.{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=136}} They introduce "the undifferentitated and the unconditional".{{sfn|Hori|2005|pp=136–137}}
#{{transliteration|ja|Kikan}}, dynamic action {{transliteration|ja|kōan}}, help to understand the phenomenal world as seen from the awakened point of view;{{sfn|Besserman|Steger|2011|pp=148-149}} where {{transliteration|ja|hosshin kōan}} represent {{transliteration|ja|tai}}, substance, {{transliteration|ja|kikan kōan}} represent {{transliteration|ja|yu}}, function.{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=137}}
#{{transliteration|ja|Gonsen}}, explication of word {{transliteration|ja|kōan}}, aid to the understanding of the recorded sayings of the old masters.{{sfn|Besserman|Steger|2011|p=149}} They show how the Fundamental, though not depending on words, is nevertheless expressed in words, without getting stuck to words.{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=138}}
#{{transliteration|ja|Hachi Nanto}}, eight "difficult to pass" {{transliteration|ja|kōan}}.{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=135}} There are various explanations for this category, one being that these {{transliteration|ja|kōan}} cut off clinging to the previous attainment. They create another Great Doubt, which shatters the self attained through {{transliteration|ja|satori}}.{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=139}} It is uncertain which are exactly those eight {{transliteration|ja|kōan}}.{{sfn|Hori|2003|p=23}} Hori gives various sources, which altogether give ten {{transliteration|ja|hachi nanto kōan}}:{{sfn|Hori|2003|pp=23-24}}
#*Miura and Sasaki:
#**Nansen's Flower (Hekigan-roku Case 40){{refn|group=note| See [http://cuke.com/pdf-2013/wind-bell/63-08.pdf here] for the {{transliteration|ja|kōan}}, and [https://www.bluecliffrecord.ca/case-40-nanquan-points-to-a-flower/ here] for commentaries.}}
#**A Buffalo Passes the Window (Mumonkan Case 38){{refn|group=note|Eshin Nishimura, [http://www.buddhism.org/practical-principle-of-hakuin-zen/ PRACTICAL PRINCIPLE OF HAKUIN ZEN]: "A confidence that there is still one more small step ({{nihongo||些子向上の一著子|sasi-koujyouno-ichijyakusu}}) remains even after you finish passing through all those patriarchal gates."}}
#**Sōzan's Memorial Tower (Kattō-shō Case 140)
#**Suigan's Eyebrows (Hekigan-roku Case 8)
#**Enkan's Rhinoceros Fan (Hekigan-roku Case 91)
#*Shimano:
#**The Old Woman Burns the Hut (Kattō-shō Case 162)
#*Asahina Sōgen:
#**Goso Hōen's "Hakuun Said 'Not Yet'" (Kattō-shō Case 269)
#**Shuzan's Main Cable (Kattō-shō Case 280).
#*Akizuki:
#**Nansen Has Died (Kattō-shō Case 282)
#**Kenpō's Three Illnesses (Kattō-shō Case 17).
#{{transliteration|ja|Goi jujukin kōan}}, the [[Five Ranks|Five Ranks of Tozan]] and the [[Bodhisattva Precepts#The Ten Grave Precepts|Ten Grave Precepts]].{{sfn|Besserman|Steger|2011|p=151}}{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=135}}

According to [[Akizuki Ryomin|Akizuki]] there was an older classification system, in which the fifth category was {{transliteration|ja|Kojo}}, 'Directed upwards'. This category too was meant to rid the monk of any "stink of Zen".{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=143}} The very advanced practitioner may also receive the {{transliteration|ja|Matsugo no rokan}}, "The last barrier", and {{transliteration|ja|Saigo no ikketsu}}, "The final confirmation".{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=143}} "The last barrier" is given when one left the training hall, for example "Sum up all of the records of Rinzai in one word!"{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=143}} It is not meant to be solved immediately, but to be carried around in order to keep practising.{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=143}} "The final confirmation" may be another word for the same kind of {{transliteration|ja|kōan}}.{{sfn|Hori|2005|p=143}} [[Shin'ichi Hisamatsu]] gave "If nothing what you do will do, then what will you do?" as 'unanswerable' question, which keeps nagging on premature certainty.