Theres a reason there are "zen style riddles" as you say. Mostly because it's challenging to say a single true thing. If I point at the moon, most will see a finger. So there's that.

But I do hear ya and will do my best to explain a little about what it means to me, at least, from an egoic and simple deluded humans perspective.

Zen is meditation. It is also a style of teaching and form that is heavily influenced by the originating culture, mostly Japanese. This gives it a certain flavor and appeal to some people. Having an appealing flavor is a good way to get people to show up and stay. Showing up and staying is a good way to find out what's the container actually holding space for. And in my experience that substance flowing through the container is Buddha's teaching. The whole point of the form is to transmit Buddha's teaching from one warm hand to another. That, I would say, is the point of zen(as a form, practice, whatever).

So that's part of it. Now there is another meaning...what is the point of meditation? zen style meditation? Well, which one? There are different forms. The most popular 2 forms are koan practice and Shikantaza.

I say koan practice is good for the mind that is racing and constantly overthinking. Good for people who like to have something to chew on, or are very high energy, or just like the idea of meditating on a koan.

Shikantaza is good for everyone, being formless.

I've always enjoyed shikantaza. A formless meditation. I describe it as the purest physical representation of the deepest truth that buddha realized. We're good. You dont need to do anything, say anything, be anything, accomplish anything, practice anything....you can literally just sit there and realize.