Over the centuries, Zen, first in China and then in Japan, has given us many stories that illustrate the need to empty one’s mind of thoughts in order to apprehend reality directly and realize the Buddhahood that is already within.
Thus, enlightenment was aimed for in the interaction between teacher and student. Their conversation would bring Zen truths to light.
Teachers would check their students’ progress towards enlightenment by asking verbal questions in the form of koans.
Here are a few of the many examples.