I suspect that many koans include puns or cultural references that stop working after translation. Unfortunately, a “puzzle you can only understand if you are a buddha” and a “puzzle you can only understand if you are a buddha and fluent in Chinese and familiar with centuries old cultural references” may seem quite similar from the outside.
There are a few like that but with some duct tape and a vague understanding of Chinese and monastery culture you can get a glimpse of them. Also seeing multiple translations can give you some clues.
I suspect that many koans include puns or cultural references that stop working after translation. Unfortunately, a “puzzle you can only understand if you are a buddha” and a “puzzle you can only understand if you are a buddha and fluent in Chinese and familiar with centuries old cultural references” may seem quite similar from the outside.
There are a few like that but with some duct tape and a vague understanding of Chinese and monastery culture you can get a glimpse of them. Also seeing multiple translations can give you some clues.