What else influenced the development of the koan?

The development of the koan in Zen Buddhism was primarily influenced by the unique cultural and spiritual context of China, rather than direct influence from other religious or philosophical traditions. However, some indirect influences and parallels can be identified:

Taoism
Taoism had a significant influence on the development of Zen Buddhism in China. The Taoist emphasis on spontaneity, paradox, and the ineffable nature of the Tao aligns closely with the spirit of Zen. The paradoxical language found in Taoist texts like the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi resonates with the koan tradition. Zen’s focus on direct experience and the idea of going beyond conventional logic is akin to Taoist principles.