The Paradox of Koans in Zen: Sword and Bridge to the Unconscious
Dear brothers and sisters, the koans of Zen are living paradoxes that open a dialogue with the unconscious. They resemble active imagination …
Zen Koan & Mysticism – Cookies of Zen – Case 1 – Zen Master Yun-Men’s Mount Sumeru
The Case A disciple asked Venerable Master Yun-Men, ‘When this student did not raise any thought, was there sin or not?’ Zen …
Patriarchal Zen Lineage – One time Zen Master Hye-Am citied the famous dialogue!
One time Zen Master Hye-Am citied the famous dialogue about doctrinal teachings and patriarchal zen lineage teachings. Doctrinal Teaching Speaker (DOC): They …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 29 – Iron Yoke Around the Neck
When Zen Master Woon-Moon arrived at Venerable Master Sul-Vong’s pavilion, he saw a monk and asked him, ‘Are you going to see …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 28 – Walking Seven Steps
When the World-Honored-One was born, he looked around, walked seven steps in four directions, and, pointing one finger to heaven and one …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 27 – Thirty Blows
Thirty Blows: Under the Sixth Patriarch, Hui-Neng, was Namak Heu-Hyang (677 – 744). After him Ma-Cho was transmitted by Heu-Hyang. One day …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 26 – Seven Wise Women
In Buddha’s time there was a story about the seven wise women which I (Hye-Am) have often heard. On August 3rd 1975, …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 25 – Comfort and Consolation
When the Venerable Master Jon-Kang was staying in the Korean Son Academy in Seoul, Venerable Master Hye-Am visited him and asked, “To …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 24 – What is the First Phrase?
At Junghye-Sa Temple in Daksan, the venerable master Mann-Gong was in residence, he once said, “Zen Master Sul-Vong’s ‘Aposiopesis’ is merely the …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 23 – Putting His Feet Out of the Coffin
Under the Twin Sara Trees, the World-Honored-One passed away. Seven days had already passed when Mahakasyapa arrived. He walked around the coffin …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 22 – Sharing the Seat
In the Pagoda Park for Many Sons, the World-Honored-One was talking to the inhabitants of the Human and Heaven Worlds, when Venerable …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 21 – The Flower of Enlightenment
When Buddha was holding a meeting at Eagle’s Peak, millions gathered. At that time, Buddha held up one flower and showed it …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 20 – Knocking Down the Flagpole
After Buddha entered Nirvana, Mahakasyapa became the head of the Community. He recalled 500 venerable monks to Kapila where they were about …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 19 – The Sixth Patriarch
In Panya-Sa temple in Seoul, the monks once come from all over the country to hold precept ceremonies together. Venerable Zen Master …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 18 – Suddenly the Self-Nature is Seen
Suddenly the Self-Nature is seen. Whether one is a materialist, spiritualist, realist, idealist, philosopher, priest or scientist, he has knowledge. Contrarily, Venerable …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 17 – The Four Servants: From the Book of Zen
Zen Koan – Four Servants – One Zen student came to the Venerable Master Hye-Am and asked about the Koan concerning the …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 16 – Transmitting the Robe and Bowl
Transmitting the Robe and Bowl – Venerable Zen Master Hye-Am once had a – talk for the members of the Korean Bodhidharma …
Zen Koan & Mystik – Cookies of Zen – No. 15 – Man Hanging Over A Poisonous Snake Pit by Only a Slender Vine
A man was walking in a vast field when suddenly a wild elephant came chasing after him. Feeling great danger, he fled. …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 14 – Decayed Tree and Cold Boulder
Once upon a time there was a shrine master who was attended with complete devotion by an old woman and her daughter. …
Zen Koan – Cookies of Zen – Case 13 – Pine Nut Tree in the Garden
In the Ch’an Mirror, written by the famous Korean Patriarch Chong-Ho Hyu-Jong (1520 – 1604), he commented on the Koan, ‘What is …