However, masters tested their students through the use of koans.
Koans typically included strange or irrational statements to try to bring insight that is not limited by the intellect. The word gong’an / koan means “a public case” (dialogue about a problem).
In the Chan monastic arrangement, the monks performed tasks to provide their own livelihood. They farmed, and performed daily work for the upkeep of the monastery.
Unlike in India, China did not really have a tradition of ascetic beggars, so the monks in China had to look after themselves more rather than rely on the community to support them.