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Koa vs Koan - What's the difference?

koa | koan |

As nouns the difference between koa and koan

is that koa is species: Acacia koa, a species of large tree in the family Fabaceae which is endemic to and common on the islands of Hawaii; or the wood of this tree while koan is a story about a Zen master and his student, sometimes like a riddle, other times like a fable, which has become an object of Zen study, and which, when meditated upon, may unlock mechanisms in the Zen student’s mind leading to satori.

koa

English

Noun

  • , a species of large tree in the family Fabaceae which is endemic to and common on the islands of Hawaii; or the wood of this tree.
  • *2004 , (Richard Fortey), The Earth , Folio Society 2011, p. 59:
  • *:As you get higher, native vegetation takes over, so a prospect might be framed by the dangling leaves of the beautiful koa tree, each leaf a gently curved, trembling sickle.
  • * {{quote-news, 2007, March 18, Anne Eisenberg, How to Soften the Edges of Technology, New York Times citation
    • , passage=The outer frame is made of koa and maple. }}

    See also

    * (wikipedia "koa")

    Anagrams

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    koan

    English

    (wikipedia koan)

    Alternative forms

    *

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (Zen Buddhism) A story about a Zen master and his student, sometimes like a riddle, other times like a fable, which has become an object of Zen study, and which, when meditated upon, may unlock mechanisms in the Zen student’s mind leading to satori.
  • * 1979 , Douglas R. Hofstadter,
    • Achilles: Let me tell you a k?an about an imitator.
  • *:: Zen master Gutei raised his finger whenever he was asked a question about Zen. A young novice began to imitate him in this way. When Gutei was told about the novice’s imitation, he sent for him and asked him if it were true. The novice admitted it was so. Gutei asked him if he understood. In reply the novice held up his index finger. Gutei promptly cut it off. The novice ran from the room, howling in pain. As he reached the threshold, Gutei called, “Boy!” When the novice turned, Gutei raised his index finger. At that instant the novice was enlightened.
  • A riddle with no solution, used to provoke reflection on the inadequacy of logical reasoning, and to lead to enlightenment.
  • * 1973 , (Thomas Pynchon), Gravity’s Rainbow
    • Gibberish. Or else a koan that Achtfaden isn’t equipped to master, a transcendent puzzle that could lead him to some moment of light.
  • * 2001 , (Joyce Carol Oates), Middle Age : A Romance (Fourth Estate, paperback edition, 303)
    • As always the koan “Why, Why am I here, why here” begins in her head, but she beats it back like a housewife with a broom.

    Anagrams

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