Zen Koans Explained: &quot;A Smile in His Lifetime&quot;S
Imagine opening a bag of Scrabble letters and scattering them
across the ground. You look down, and "Z-E-N" is spelled out at
your feet. Your face remains expressionless. In your hand is an
empanada. But it's not time to eat.  The koan: "A Smile in His
Lifetime"   Everyone watched Mokugen's severe face, but no one
answered.    Encho reached out and moved the cup back again.
The enlightenment: A nonsense teacher teaches nonsense.  This
has been "Zen Koans Explained." If it has.  [Photo:
Shutterstock]