Koans for Developers
What is a koan in Zen?
koan, Japanese Kōan, in Zen Buddhism is a succinct paradoxical statement or question used as a meditation discipline for novices. The effort to “solve” a koan is intended to exhaust the analytic intellect and the egoistic will, readying the mind to entertain an appropriate response on the intuitive level. Each such exercise constitutes both a communication of some aspect of Zen experience and a test of the novice’s competence.
#20: Most intimate
Master Foo and the Developer
One day, Master Foo met a developer on the road and asked,
“Where are you going?”
The developer replied,
“I am on a journey, chasing the latest trends in technology.”
With a thoughtful gaze, Master Foo inquired,
“What are you on a pilgrimage for?”
The developer admitted,
“I don’t know.”
Master Foo smiled warmly and said,
“Ah! Not knowing is most intimate.”
In that moment, the developer was enlightened.
#6 White and Back
A developer asked the CTO,
“Beyond code quality and beyond SCRUM, what is the true meaning of Software Development?”
The CTO replied,
“I am weary today and cannot answer. Ask the VP of Engineering.”
The developer went to the VP and asked the same question.
The VP replied,
“Why not ask our CTO?”
The developer said,
“He sent me to you.”
The VP said,
“My mind aches today. Go ask a senior developer.”
The developer found a senior developer and asked the question.
The senior developer replied,
“I know nothing of such things.”
The developer returned to the CTO and recounted his journey.
The CTO said,
“The VP’s hair is grey; the senior developer’s hair is black.”
In that moment, the developer glimpsed understanding.
#39: Write some code
A junior dev told the CTO: ”I have just joined the company. I beg you to teach me.”
The CTO asked, “Have you setup you IDE?”
The junior replied, “I have.”
“Then,” said the CTO, “Go and write some code.”
At that moment the junior was enlightened.