Seung-Sahn Sunim – Founder of Kwan-eum Zen School in the U.S
Well known Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn Sunim [Haeng-Won], founder of Kwan-eum Zen School in the U.S., was once staying in the Dharma Temple in Los Angeles. Eun-Bong and Myo-Vong with a traveler visited him. Master Seung Sahn took his watch, put it on the floor and asked the traveler.
“What is this?” He looked at the three of them and continued, “Don”t call this a watch, however, do not say this is not a watch either. Now, tell me!” First, the traveler hit the floor and said, “It is half past three.” Seung-Sahn S’nim said, “Very good! You showed me the
function of the mind,” and continued, “With ‘don’t-know mind,” that is the only way you can transmit Dharma from Buddha.”
He then turned his face to Eun-Bong S’nim and asked the same question. “How about you? What is this?” Eun-Bong picked it up and said, “This is exactly the same time, yet still dead like yesterday!” Seung-Sahn was surprised greatly, but instead of
commenting, asked a question to Myo-Vong S’nim, “What is this for you?”
Myo-Vong picked up the watch and threw it, then sang a Gatha:
Between asker and answerer, who benefits?
Once you have the time to Watch yourself,
You are no longer in this World, before and after.
Chukbi and Watch holding monkey scratches his own face
Seung Sahn Sunim
Seung-Sahn was in aposiopesis [paused and speechless]. Later, Zen Master Hye Am heard this dialogue, then laughed and sang a Gatha:
Interrogation of What is a watch, between as it is and as it is not,
Nothing is good for either asker or answerer,
Three times four suddenly becomes twenty-four;
Dark sun and crooked moon watch the eyeless face restlessly.
Compiled by Zen Master Myo Vong
Unborn Undying
The master instructed the assembly saying, “The Dharma originally is unborn, right now it is undying. Nothing more need be said. To speak a little bit is ‘giving birth’. To not speak is ‘dying’. All of you, just what will you do about this unborn and dying truth?”
A monk asked, “Right now was it unborn and dying?”
The master said, “This fellow can see only dead words.”
Meditation center
Here you get more information about the monthly meditation retreat.