In Zen Buddhism, a koan is a riddle or parable used to provoke contemplation and unravel greater truths about ourselves and the world. Humorous, paradoxical and at times totally absurd, koans help open our minds to new ways of thinking beyond logic or reason. In celebration of Japan Society’s exhibition “None Whatsoever: Zen Paintings from the Gitter-Yelen Collection,” we’re delving into the profound teachings of Zen Buddhism—using popular koans as our guide. Let’s start with a question that has