In Rinzai Zen, there is a specific order and progression to koan practice. Koans are used as a tool for students to experience sudden awakening or enlightenment. These koans are often paradoxical or nonsensical statements or questions that are meant to break through the logical thinking and conceptual understanding of the student. The goal of koan practice is to help the student realize their true nature and break free from the limitations of their ego.

The first step in koan practice in Rinzai Zen is to find a teacher or master who will assign a specific koan to the student. The teacher will carefully select a koan that is appropriate for the student's level of understanding and their individual needs. The koan is then given to the student to contemplate and meditate on.

The student is expected to deeply contemplate the koan and try to understand its meaning beyond just the literal interpretation. This can take months or even years of intense practice. The student is encouraged to discuss their understanding of the koan with their teacher and other students in the community. This helps to deepen their understanding and gain different perspectives on the koan.

Once the student has a deep understanding of the koan, they are then expected to present their understanding to the teacher in a formal interview called a sanzen. The teacher will then give feedback and guidance to the student, pointing out any misunderstandings or areas for improvement. The student is then expected to continue practicing with the koan until they have fully realized its meaning.

After successfully completing one koan, the student will then be given a new koan to work on. This process continues, with the koans becoming more difficult and complex as the student progresses. The ultimate goal of koan practice is to experience sudden awakening or enlightenment, which can happen at any point in the practice.

It is important to note that there is no set timeline or specific number of koans that a student must complete in Rinzai Zen. Each student's journey is unique and the progression through koan practice is based on their individual understanding and readiness.

In conclusion, Rinzai Zen places a strong emphasis on koan practice and the progression through different koans. This practice is meant to help students break through their conceptual understanding and experience sudden awakening or enlightenment. With the guidance of a teacher and dedicated practice, students can progress through koan practice and ultimately realize their true nature.