Zen kōans: unsolvable enigmas designed to break your brain - Puqun Li
3,022,503 Views
5,493 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
How do we explain the unexplainable? This question has inspired numerous myths, religious practices and scientific inquiries. But Zen Buddhists practicing throughout China from the 9th to 13th century asked a different question – why do we need an explanation? Puqun Li details the bewildering and ambiguous philosophical thought experiments these Buddhists called Zen kōans.
Do you think that koans can provide important insights about life? Why or why not?
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator Puqun Li
- Director Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas
- Script Editor Dan Kwartler
- Senior Animator Daniel Freire, Mateus Contini
- Producer Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas, Liana Abatti
- Editor Felipe Grosso, Odirlei Seixas
- Animator Gui Kirinus
- Art Director Gui Kirinus
- Illustrator Ricke Ito, Jaislan Gregate, Luke Passos
- Sound Designer Astrolábio Studio
- Composer Astrolábio Studio
- Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott, Elizabeth Cox
- Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
- Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
- Narrator Adrian Dannatt
