Inka Means Strong Center and Wisdom

Zen Master Seung Sahn

In the Chinese Chán tradition there are two types of Transmission: Secret Transmission and Public Transmission. Dàjiāng Huìnéng is an example of a Chán Master who received Secret Transmission. The reason that he received secret transmission is that at the time there were seven hundred monks were in residence at Chán Master Daman Hongren’s temple. Shénxiù, who was the head monk, had been practicing for many years with Master Hongren and the monks in residence had assumed that he would receive Transmission; furthermore, Huìnéng was not a monk at the time, he was a layman who was just a kitchen helper. Master Hongren realized that if Huìnéng received Transmission his life might be endangered. Because of this he received Secret Transmission at night and then immediately left the Temple. For eighteen years Huìnéng hid in the mountains of Southern China. Eventually he shaved his head and ordained as a monk and this was the first case of Secret Transmission.

Măzŭ Dàoyī received Transmission from Báizhàng in a large public ceremony. This is a famous Chán story. Prior to Transmission is what is known in Chán as “Inka,” which means a candidates Zen practice is clear and that it is possible for this candidate to teach Chán to others. Inka also implies that many Dharma Heirs may be possible; whereas, Transmission means there is only one Zen Master in a particular lineage.

Inka and Transmission are different. The Kwan Um School’s title of Jido Pŏpsa Nim is synonymous to the Japanese title Sensei. In Korea, it is commonly known as Ch’ŏng Yong Sǔn—your practice is clear, and teaching student’s is authorized. The title has practically disappeared in Korea, although it still exists in China. In Korea a more common and current title would be Ip Sung Sunim.—Head Monk.

In the Kwan Um School we have the Jido Pŏpsa Nim ceremony, which is very important. Why? In this ceremony the Sangha comes together and believe in the Candidate. How strong is this candidate’s center? If the Zen Master grants Inka or Transmission only privately to this person, the Sangha’s students won’t understand. So in the Kwan Um School the Jido Pŏpsa Nim ceremony means that the public can come to the Zen Center and ask any kind of question, and the candidate must answer. Whether it is a good answer or a bad answer really doesn't matter; it is most important how much the candidate believes in himself or herself one hundred percent.

Even my teacher, Zen Master Kōbong, had young Zen Masters coming to him, challenging him. There is a famous story of the time a young Zen Master asked him: what did Yántóu whisper in Zen Master Deshān’s ear? This is from a famous kōan. Deshān Zen Master had not heard the drum (announcing meals) yet he carried his bowls into the dining room. That was a big mistake, so this is a mistake kōan; consequently, what did Yántóu say to Deshān?

My teacher was stuck. He was thinking a little bit, like everyone does (even Zen Masters), and he was stuck. This young Zen Master wanted to become a great Zen Master, so he came and hit my teacher. When my teacher could not answer, the young Zen Master said, “Aigo! Aigo!” This means, “You are already dead!” Then he went away.

After one week the young Zen Master understood. So he came back and said, “Thank you for your teaching.” This kind of thing happens. So whether the answer is good or bad doesn't matter. The Jido Pŏpsa Nim test means how much does he or she believe in himself or herself one hundred percent? This is very important. Zen means believe in your true self one hundred percent.

When asked “what is Buddha,” Măzŭ Zen Master would respond, “Mind is Buddha, Buddha is mind.” This statement is not correct and these are bad words. Later he was known to say, “No mind, no Buddha.” These are also bad words. If a student gave that answer today, they would get hit! But that's okay.

So in this ceremony I check two things: center and wisdom. Checking the center means, does the answer appear quickly or not? If there's no hesitation, that's a strong center. If the answer is sometimes a little slow in coming, that means the center is not clear. Next, we check whether the answer is correct or not. Correct answer means wisdom.

In the future many others will become Jido Pŏpsa Nim’s. Wisdom and a strong center are necessary. A strong center means their mind is not moving, their mind is clear like space. They can reflect action. Whether or not their answer is correct, they can reflect action. That is center.

In the future, everyone must practice strongly and many Jido Pŏpsa Nim’s will appear, to help the Kwan Um School and help all beings. Thank you.