A Letter from Seung Sahn to a Student

Zen Master Seung Sahn had a very wide and broad mind, I think over the years many people have forgotten this fact. I came across this recently and felt it needed to be posted.

Dear William,

How are you and Dana? Thank you for your wonderful letter. I thought you were very busy, but you sent me a long letter. You make me so happy. Now I know your news and your experiences and your practicing.

In each sentence, your mind appears. That is your opinion. But this opinion is shining to others’ minds, so they understand what is the true direction. So, you are already a great Bodhisattva. You said don’t know is wonderful, that it has no beginning and no end. This is correct. Also, don’t know has no ignorance and no knowledge, also no Buddha, no God, no mind, and no universe. But, don’t be attached to don’t know. ONLY DON’T KNOW IS DON’T KNOW, which is just like this.

Just like this is: ignorance is ignorance; knowledge is knowledge; Buddha is Buddha; God is God; mind is mind; universe is universe. One by one, each thing is complete. Which means don’t know is complete. Then, you are complete. Then, everything is complete. Therefore, a dog is barking, a chicken crowing, and a car horn honking are all the truth. Already you understand. So we say don’t know means put it all down. Don’t check your mind and feelings; only go straight.

You said it was wonderful that teachers from different branches of the Zen tradition can work together. That is the correct opinion. That is wonderful. Your mind and my mind are the same. When I was in Los Angeles, Aitken Roshi and Maezumi Roshi came to Tahl Mah Sa Zen Center, and we had a very good time. At that time, I found that it was possible to work together with Maezumi Roshi and Aitken Roshi. Also, our direction is the same direction — very wide, not narrow.

Some Zen Masters do not send their students to other Zen Centers or allow them to have interviews with other Zen Masters. If they have interviews with another Zen Master, they will cut them off as their student. Their style is very strong, very narrow. They don’t understand wide space and infinite time. Their karma becomes hard and heavy. Finally, they cannot move. They are like wine that has gone sour. Nobody will drink it.

But, we are already doing together action. Maezumi Roshi’s students, Aitken Roshi’s students, and my students all can visit each others’ Zen Centers with no problem, no hindrance. So, I met you, and now, I am sending you a letter. How wonderful it is! 

Yours in the Dharma

S.S.

from Ten Gates by Zen Master Seung Sahn