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Seung Sahn

Only Don't Know: Selected Teaching Letters of Zen Master Seung Sahn Paperback – Illustrated, April 6, 1999

by Seung Sahn (Author)

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Here is the inimitable Zen Master Seung Sahn up close and personal—in selections from the correspondence that was one of his primary modes of teaching. Seung Sahn received hundreds of letters per month, each of which he answered personally, and some of the best of which are included here. His frank and funny style, familiar to readers of Dropping Ashes on the Buddha, is seen here in a most intimate form. The beloved Zen master not only answers questions on Zen teaching and practice, but applies an enlightened approach to problems with work, relationships, suffering, and the teacher-student relationship.

Print length

256 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Shambhala
Publication date

April 6, 1999
Dimensions

5.36 x 0.64 x 8.46 inches
ISBN-10

9781570624322
ISBN-13

978-1570624322
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The Dear Abby of Zen, Seung Sahn must be one the most prolific letter writers in history, not to mention one of the most successful Zen masters. With more than 60 centers on six continents, Seung Sahn has inspired thousands of students to take up Zen practice and has managed the seemingly impossible task of nurturing a genuine monastic Zen tradition on Western soil. Many of these students write him letters with their questions, and he never fails to respond. Only Don't Know is a collection of some of these letter's and Seung Sahn's replies, the title being an abbreviation of his cryptic refrain, "If you don't know, only go straight--don't know." The inquirers range from beginners wanting to know what to expect of enlightenment to monastics seeking direction on their path. A man who works in a windowless office, a woman preparing for a chanting retreat, a professor of religion--the writers and the topics come from all corners, Seung Sahn cajoling, versifying, ranting, or telling stories as the situation requires. He even resorts to drawing, as demonstrated in a series of pictorial correspondence that is a priceless example of wordless communication. --Brian Bruya

About the Author

Zen Master Seung Sahn (1927–2004) was the first teacher to bring Korean Zen Buddhism to America, having already established temples in Japan and Hong Kong. In 1972 he came to the United States and started what became the Providence Zen Center, the first center in what is now the Kwan Um School of Zen, which now includes more than eighty centers and groups worldwide. His students called him Dae Soen Sa Nim, "Great Honored Zen Teacher," and he was the 78th Zen master in his line of dharma transmission in the Chogye order of Korean Buddhism. His books include The Compass of Zen, Dropping Ashes on the Buddha, Only Don't Know, and The Whole World Is a Single Flower: 365 Kong-ans for Everyday Life.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1570624321
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shambhala; Illustrated edition (April 6, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781570624322
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1570624322
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.36 x 0.64 x 8.46 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #840,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,677 in Philosophy Movements (Books)
- #188,948 in Religion & Spirituality (Books)

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4.7 60 ratings

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Paul Miller

Put it all down

Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2021

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"In your letter you said you are in jail. That is a wonderful Zen center! I also have been in jail. Maybe that jail made me become a Zen master. Perhaps jail will also make you become a Zen master! ... Zen is not special. If you make something, if you make "special,” then you have something: you have "special.” But this something, this "special” cannot help you. Put it all down. What are you doing right now? When you are doing something, you must do it. Most people only half-experience things, because their mind is carrying the weight of some previous experience, thought, or feeling. So they cannot connect with other people and this world. But when you put it all down and just do it, from moment to moment, then you are already complete. Then you will find your primary point. Then you will understand your correct situation and your correct job. To do this must only go straight — don't know it doesn't matter if you are in jail or out of jail; already you will have freedom from life and death. ... In your letter, you also said that is noisy in your prison cell, so you have a problem when you meditate. If you mind is noisy, even if you go to a mountaintop, it is noisy. If your mind is not noisy, even if you are in a busy factory, it is very quiet. How you keep your just-now mind is very important. You check inside, and you check outside — checking, checking, checking — so you have many questions. Put it all down. Then the whole universe is very quiet."

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

rugger

Practical Advice Whatever Your Faith / Spiritual Practice

Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2011

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When asked about books influencing my life, Only Don't Know places at the top of the list. The writing is simple and direct on matters of love, suffering, and happiness.

The book was recommended by a colleague in the community of finance. The man appeared genuinely moved by the positive effect the book had on him, including his relationships with his wife and children. Still questioning the relevance of a Korean Zen master's writings to my life, I looked it up on Amazon to discover a number of positive reviews. So I decided to give it a try.

The book is a collection of letters to and from Seung Sahn—some from Zen practitioners, others not. A few are serious, others are funny. "I am a teacher and these kids are driving me crazy..."

What is particularly striking is how consistent Seung Sahn is in responding. This is a man clearly in touch with his purpose or calling. That alone makes the book worth a read. But there's more to offer. In each letter you discover a small piece of yourself asking a question. And more often than not, Seung Sahn's response provides practical advice, how to relate to the issue in a more positive way.

Admittedly, the advice is based on Zen practice, but it is not dogmatic—really, humanistic in nature. But if you can't separate the origin from the the advice, then consider adapting it to your brand of belief. The advice has value whatever your faith.

A few themes from the book for flavor:

1. Only Don't Know - Originally, there is not good and bad. But if you make good and bad in your mind, they you have good and bad... Before checking (filtering based on your biases and prejudices) is called go-straight mind - there is no problem. After checking, then feelings, I-my-me, and problems appear. A clear mind has no I-my-me.... If you keep clear mind, you will get happiness everywhere.

2. Love - If you cut off all thinking and keep this in mind: "How can I help?" the correct action will appear... That is great love.

3. Wisdom - Good and bad are our true teachers. If something has no opposite, then it has no meaning, no truth... Wisdom and practice are like two wheels of one cart.

***

Inspired by Only Don't Know, I read others by Seung Sahn, but cannot give them the same recommendation. The Compass of Zen is a dense guide to Buddhism and Dropping Ashes on the Buddha is a lesser work of teachings and letters. This is the one to read.

Hope this review helps you.

23 people found this helpful

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Jim Martin

Breath of Fresh Air ....

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2012

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To be perfectly honest, I liked this book better than "Dropping Ashes on the Buddha". Seung Sahn really comes through in this book. You would think that a book of letters wouldn't be that interesting but quite the contrary. Seung Sahn talks to many different people from all parts of the globe concerning a variety of interesting topics. He touches on many important facts regarding ZEN, Buddhism and life's everyday challenges, questions etc. It's fascinating how these little stories tie into the big picture of what we call LIFE. Every chapter stands on its own and adds something very special to the entirety of this publication. I would still recommend reading `Dropping Ashes'. I have also purchased "Wanting Enlightenment Is a Big Mistake" which will be read shortly; review to follow...

Please Note: all material is very understandable (well at least for the subject of ZEN anyway. Naturally I'm not getting into the debate of how ZEN can't be explained and so forth. Bottom line - the material and the way it's presented is very simplified and highly appreciated for its clarity and fluidity).

Anyone who reads my reviews knows I like to add a personal touch! So, with that said, one of my personal notes that I wrote after a chapter goes as follow: You must completely rid yourself of all ideas, thoughts, attachments, and situations. Clear out all things and JUST BE. If you keep correct mind - then you can do anything. Most importantly, you need to believe in you. Believe that you are all you need to be successful in whatever you do. When you are doing something - DO IT !!! If you truly ARE your activity 100%, naturally your chances of success are much higher. You can succeed at anything however; you must be clear like space and become one with what you're doing - moment to moment...

There are books that you read one time and then pass it down to a friend. Then, once in a while, there's a book that comes along like this. I would like to say thank you for everyone who was involved in bringing this wonderful collection of letters to light. It will indubitably be reread again in the future...

4 people found this helpful

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elsaluis

Only d ont know

Reviewed in Spain on August 18, 2021

Verified Purchase

Me ha gustado mucho, cada tanto vuelvo a abrirlo y leer sus respuestas al azar. Claro y humano, gran maestro! Recomiendo comenzar por este título y continuar con La brújula del zen o the compass of zen.

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Arpad

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2015

Verified Purchase

as expected.Cannot disappoint

Ale

A precious collection of Seon Teachings

Reviewed in Italy on April 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

What set apart this extraordinary book from the usual collections of Dharma talks is the presentation of the questions, issues, problems and sometimes riddles, as asked by the students of Master Seung Sahn together with the always profound and insightful answers. A very precious collection of teachings from one of the greatest teacher of Seon in the West.

Alka B.

The book helps you and reminds you again and again ...

Reviewed in India on November 11, 2016

Verified Purchase

The book helps you and reminds you again and again and yet again to keep a clear mind , a mind which " does not know ", a mind that does not hold on to things. Worth reading!!!

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