koan

[nowornever]

Which Buddhist schools use koans as a form of meditation?
Only some Zen Buddhist schools or not only?

I know Kwan Um.
I know that Soto doesn't.

I am asking because I am fond of koans :)

[stoneflow]

Hello nowor,
Both major Zen schools use koans as tools for recognition of true nature. Soto uses them considerably less than Rinzai. Even the Pure Lands schools of Buddhism use koans sometimes. The Nembutsu (chant of Buddhs's name) may be considered a koan.
_()_

[nowornever]

How do masters from non-koan schools check student's minds?

For example if a zen student is to become a master he is checked by means of koans by other schools which use koans to check students' understanding so this student never goes to a soto zen master because there are no koans there.

[Dae Bi]

Most Korean schools (not just Kwan Um) use Koans. Japanese Rinzai and Vietnamese Thien, also use Koans. Also the Chines Chán in the Tradition of Lin Chi, use koans.

[Dae Bi]

Hello nowor,
Both major Zen schools use koans as tools for recognition of true nature. Soto uses them considerably less than Rinzai. Even the Pure Lands schools of Buddhism use koans sometimes. The Nembutsu (chant of Buddhs's name) may be considered a koan.
_()_ The actual Gong an(koan) is, "who is Chanting the Buddha's name?"