公案

Noun

 * 1)  court table
 * 2)  complicated legal case
 * 3)  much discussed issue; sensational affair
 * 4)  koan

Etymology
公 (public) 案 (record). A public record serves as a metaphor for principles of reality beyond the private opinion of one person, relating to the actioning of Ming (命)Heavens mandate, decree or command by an official that has authority.

Noun

 * 1) koan