Guest guest Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 The late Zen Master Seung Sahn (1927-200). Even though he took English classes as Harvard, his use ofthe language was always shaped by the directness and urgencyof his Zen teaching. "What are you? You dont know, so onlygo straight, Dont know always, everywhere." This "Dont Know"epitomized his style, a masterful use of colloquialEnglish to translate, in this case, the Chinese we shin- "NoMind"- and bring it to life, manifesting the concept and instillingit rather than explaining it. He taught us to breath in"What am I?" and breathe out "Dont Knooooow." It becamefor many of us, certainly for me, the Great Question. he alsotold us, "Just do it!" years before Nike started using the phrase,and "Dont make anything," and "Put it all down," and "Try, try, try, for 10,000 years, nonstop." These were not presentedas slogans but as sincere admonitions, always in the moment,no matter how often repeated. Excerpted From Wisdom Nectar: Duidjom Pinpoche's Heart Advice. Translated by Ron Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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