10th anniversary of DSSN passing into nirvana

On 26 November, we invited Zen Master Dae Bong and Mu Sang Sunim to give a Dharma talk on " Clarity in the Midst of Conflict".

For each and every day until he was sixty years old, Zen Master Seung Sahn would do one thousand prostrations every day. He would get up a couple of hours before everyone else at the Zen Centre and do nine hundred prostrations by himself. Then, after everyone got up for morning practice, he would join them for the daily one hundred and eight prostrations.

After I became a nun in Hwa Gye Sa Temple and practiced there for a year, a senior monk told me: "After the summer retreat, you will become Zen Master Seung Sahn's attendant." I was shocked to hear this because, to me, Dae Seon Sa Nim was high above — someone I could not get close to. I said: "I cannot be his attendant. I don't know anything." But the senior monk said: "No problem. You will be fine." On the first day, I went to Zen Master Seung Sahn's room and bowed to him. He was very enthusiastic and happy and said: "Don't worry, no problem. Just relax."

Today, we commemorate the 10th year since the passing of Zen Master Seung Sahn. I am sharing this kong-an with the great adepts gathered here today — please have a go at it. Zen Master Seung Sahn entered Nirvana ten years ago. His form body is long gone, but what about his Dharma body? Is it dead? Is it alive?

Zen Master Seung Sahn had Great Love, Great Compassion and Great Wisdom and Energy. He gave wonderful, inspiring, simple and clear dharma talks. His kong-an teaching was very strong, clear and meticulous. He taught us how to organize zen centers and retreats. He taught us Zen in formal practice and everyday life situations. Most amazing of all to me, was his ability to turn any situation into teaching and to “hit” his students while also inspiring them.