A student once asked Su Bong Zen Master at a dharma talk: his friend wanted to come to the Zen center to practice but he had no time, because he had a family, he had a job, he did volunteer work and he had to attend the functions of his …
Read More...From a Dharma talk given during the Summer Kyol Che at Warsaw Zen Center.
As you just heard, my name is Muchak. When I got five precepts, I received this name Muchak, which means mu, “no”, chak, “attachment”. I was very proud of my name. At that time I checked …
Excerpted from a workshop at the Whole World is a Single Flower Conference
Zen Master Soeng Hyang: It’s great that so many people came for the kong-an discussion. For me, kong-ans are the root of our practice. Kong-ans are like receiving a gift. There’s the package: it’s beautifully wrapped, there’s …
Read More...Excerpted from a workshop at the Whole World is a Single Flower Conference at Providence Zen Center, October 1999.
Myong Hae Sunim: I will introduce Hyang Um Sunim. Hyang Um Sunim was born in a Muslim family and she studied in a Catholic school. So she understands different religions. After …
Read More...From exchanges in Cambridge & Providence in April 1999:
Question: I am trying to decide whether the path I am on is right for me.
Zen Master Seung Sahn: You cannot find your job? So I ask you, who are you? Who is speaking now?
Q: I’m sorry?
ZMSS: Who …
Read More...[Raises Zen stick over head, then hits table with stick.]
The whole world is suffering. Sickness and death everywhere. For what purpose do we come into this world? Only to suffer?
[Raises Zen stick over head, then hits table with stick.]
No world, no coming, no going, no suffering, no …
Read More...From a talk given at the Cambridge Zen Center, 1993
Zen means understanding myself. What am I? What is a human being’s job on this Earth? Why do we eat every day? An old Chinese poem says, “Coming empty-handed, going empty-handed.” Then why are there so many problems in the …
Read More...In response to a question about group practice vs individual practice on May 22, 1988
Most people start out by practicing by themselves. They read books, they do some things, they try doing it themselves, and that’s okay, but in lots of ways it’s like reinventing the wheel. It’s a …
Read More...It was wonderful for me to hear everyone share of themselves this weekend. It convinces me once again that we’re all one big family. I hope we keep sharing our dharma with each …
Read More...From the 1985 Sumner Kyol Che Opening Ceremony
Linc just said, “Zen is very simple. Dishwashing time, just wash dishes; sitting time, just sit; driving time, just drive; talking time, just talk; walking time, just walk.” That’s all. Not special. But that is very difficult. That is absolutes thinking. When …
Read More...People often ask me what does the Bodhisattva vow – to save all people from suffering – really mean? A student said to me last week, “I really want to practice and help people. …
Read More...(Holds the Zen stick and very slowly traces a circle in the air with its tip, then strikes the Zen stick vertically on the table.)
Very very slow.
(Quickly traces a circle in the air with the Zen stick and strikes …
Read More...If you want to change anything, you must open your mind. If you do, then you can open your Zen Center and nothing will stand in the way of many people coming …
Read More...Dry Cleaning the Mind
I returned last Friday from twelve days of “hard sitting” – a Vipassana meditation retreat led by Jack Kornfield, whom you know. There was your letter with the Kido tape and pictures to welcome me home! Thank you so much! Although all …
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