Zen Master Subong

Su Bong Sonsa (January 7, 1943—July 17, 1994) was the first Zen Master in the Kwan Um School of Zen, as well as the designated heir of Seung Sahn's lineage. Of both Korean and Chinese heritage, he was born in Kona, Hawaii. He was born as See Hoy Liao and had a very deep question about the nature of reality. He eventually settled in Los Angeles about the same time that Zen Master Seung Sahn had also appeared in LA. See Hoy was already practicing with Dr. Thich Thien An (a Vietnamese Zen Master) and Hearn Roshi (a Japanese Zen Master.) He also added interviews and practice with Seung Sahn, which brought him to a very confusing point in his practice which is highlighted in the book, Dropping Ashes on the Buddha.

Su Bong began his practice with Seung Sahn in 1974, helping to establish many Zen groups and temples for the lineage in the years that followed. In 1981 he received inka from Seung Sahn, making him a Ji Do Poep Sa Nim (JDPSN) in the lineage and, in 1983, he was ordained a sunim and given the Buddhist name Mu Deung. He received Dharma transmission on October 11, 1992. On July 17, 1994, Su Bong died of unknown causes at a retreat while conducting dokusan in Hong Kong. Today the Kwan Um School of Zen has a practice center in his name located in Hong Kong and named Su Bong Zen Monastery.

The Stove Breaking Monk - Thom Pastor JDPSN

Dharma talk by Thomas Pastor JDPSN in Suntec City, Singapore 18th September 2010.

Thomas Pastor JDPSN is founder and abbot of the Zen Center of Las Vegas. He began formal study in the Kwan Um School of Zen in the late 1980s with Zen Master Ji Bong and subsequently received inka from Zen Master Seung Sahn on April 6, 2002. Thom and I began practicing with Zen Master Seung Sahn at about the same time, and he and I opened Zen Centers at the same time in the early 1990's. We have traveled extensively through out the US visiting Zen Centers and sitting many retreats together.

Chán Master Pawhui talks with a beginner

Chán Master Pawhui talks with a beginner about meditation, religion and practicing. He also discusses the issues facing many who are new to meditation practices in general.

Introducing Chán Master Pawhui

Bhikkhu Buddydharma asks Chán Master Pawhui a few questions

The master discusses various forms of Zen Meditation
by Dochong

Sam Harris and Deepak Chopra: Consciousness and the Brain

I would like to say that this is the beginning of a very interesting discussion on what constitutes 'I'. There are no winners or losers in this discussion, yet truth pervades both arguements and we must be open to that which transcends all. I will write more on this soon. Wonderful!