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The Compass of Zen
The Compass of Zen is a simple, exhaustive—and often hilarious—presentation of the essence of Zen by a modern Zen Master of considerable renown. In his many years of teaching throughout the world, the Korean-born Zen Master Seung Sahn has become known for his ability to cut to the heart of Buddhist teaching in a way that is strikingly clear, yet free of esoteric and academic language. In this book, based largely on his talks, he presents the basic teachings of Buddhism and Zen in a way that is wonderfully accessible for beginners—yet so rich with stories, insights, and personal experiences that long-time meditation students will also find it a source of inspiration and a resource for study.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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August 23, 2018
"Using intellectual understanding to find your true nature is like expecting a hungry man to satisfying his gnawing hunger with a picture of a banana. Zen teaching is not like this. Zen teaching says "Open your mouth. Here's a banana. Now eat!"
That's one of Seung Sahn's gems that was captured in "The Compass of Zen": in fact, a lot of his best metaphors are food related! He begins by explaining the differences between Hinayana, Mahayana and Zen Buddhism by comparing how they would explain what a watermelon is, and eventually links meditation techniques to utensils (as in, who cares if you use chopsticks or a fork, as long as your stomach is full).
I really enjoyed this book, but I also found it to be rather long and dense. It must be remembered that these are transcribed lectures, so obviously he sometimes repeats himself for the benefit of those who were there for previous lectures, but from a reader's perspective, it can feel repetitive. A lot of his teachings are also fairly abstract - not a bad thing... but from an intellectual perspective only (wink wink!). The key is of course a strong practice and study, in order to have direct experience of the teachings he explains at great lengths in the book.
A very interesting book, but a bit on the heavy side. 3 and a half rounded up, because it does contain so remarkable stuff mixed in with the overly long lectures.
That's one of Seung Sahn's gems that was captured in "The Compass of Zen": in fact, a lot of his best metaphors are food related! He begins by explaining the differences between Hinayana, Mahayana and Zen Buddhism by comparing how they would explain what a watermelon is, and eventually links meditation techniques to utensils (as in, who cares if you use chopsticks or a fork, as long as your stomach is full).
I really enjoyed this book, but I also found it to be rather long and dense. It must be remembered that these are transcribed lectures, so obviously he sometimes repeats himself for the benefit of those who were there for previous lectures, but from a reader's perspective, it can feel repetitive. A lot of his teachings are also fairly abstract - not a bad thing... but from an intellectual perspective only (wink wink!). The key is of course a strong practice and study, in order to have direct experience of the teachings he explains at great lengths in the book.
A very interesting book, but a bit on the heavy side. 3 and a half rounded up, because it does contain so remarkable stuff mixed in with the overly long lectures.
February 4, 2010
Don't know!
January 14, 2017
I'm torn on this book. On the one hand, it contains probably the most concise and comprehensive breakdown of the major area of Buddhist teaching (Hinayana, Mahayana, Zen) I've read. In this respects, it is without doubt one of the best overall books about Buddhism and Zen I've read. It's obvious Seung Sahn really knows what he's talking about, and I liked how he focused on teaching what the function of true understanding is about: helping others. A lot of Zen books (and teachers) seem to miss this.
On the other hand, I deeply disagree with aspects of how he describes karma, rebirth, and some of the chapters dealing with "special energy" and "magic". He includes a bunch of "supernatural" aspects that to me have no place in Zen, and could actually discourage people from an otherwise useful practice. I have trouble reconciling how he can so clearly elaborate on Buddhism and Zen philosophy in one chapter, then talk about things like sages who had so much concentration power that they could fly around in other chapters, as well as other "magic powers" that would violate cause and effect. This type of supernatural "woo" is one of the reasons the founders of Zen created the school in the first place: to strip all that away and get back to the core of the teaching (ie. zazen and how you live your life on a daily basis).
Still, I would recommend this book without doubt to anyone interested in Zen and Buddhism, just perhaps not as a first book. There's better, more practical, more logical descriptions of karma and rebirth out there that don't require belief in anything supernatural or illogical.
On the other hand, I deeply disagree with aspects of how he describes karma, rebirth, and some of the chapters dealing with "special energy" and "magic". He includes a bunch of "supernatural" aspects that to me have no place in Zen, and could actually discourage people from an otherwise useful practice. I have trouble reconciling how he can so clearly elaborate on Buddhism and Zen philosophy in one chapter, then talk about things like sages who had so much concentration power that they could fly around in other chapters, as well as other "magic powers" that would violate cause and effect. This type of supernatural "woo" is one of the reasons the founders of Zen created the school in the first place: to strip all that away and get back to the core of the teaching (ie. zazen and how you live your life on a daily basis).
Still, I would recommend this book without doubt to anyone interested in Zen and Buddhism, just perhaps not as a first book. There's better, more practical, more logical descriptions of karma and rebirth out there that don't require belief in anything supernatural or illogical.
February 28, 2010
I am very lucky: books line the walls of my bedroom. (Not only that, but the books sit on gorgeous shelves made by my husband-- perfect altars for our prized objects). Anyway, most mornings I wake up and lie for a few minutes, scanning titles until my eyes fall on one in particular, and today it was The Compass of Zen. I loved this book, which I read about four years ago, because it was an engaging but lighthearted introduction to Buddhism. Books on theology are not usually my first pick (St. Thomas, anyone? ugh), but after a weeklong writing/meditation retreat, I was so curious about the subject I had to turn over some stones. And I'm glad I picked this one. Seung Sahn is not in the business of proselytizing, or bonking anyone on the head with his views. All he does is give an overview of the branches, or "schools" of Buddhism, the last of which is Zen; and in this overview he couches a million entertaining and even funny stories to illustrate his points.
For example, here's one of the stories I remember him telling about the instantaneous clarity you can achieve, if you only let yourself. One day, many decades ago, a student of Zen was walking through his monastery, pondering. He came across his Roshi (spiritual leader) and asked him, "Roshi! What is enlightenment?" And the Roshi, who believed that enlightenment is immediate, and can be inspired by one's mundane everyday surroundings, looked over the young monk's shoulder toward the outhouse and the cleaning implement hanging from the door. Without hesitation he cried, "Shit on a stick!"
For example, here's one of the stories I remember him telling about the instantaneous clarity you can achieve, if you only let yourself. One day, many decades ago, a student of Zen was walking through his monastery, pondering. He came across his Roshi (spiritual leader) and asked him, "Roshi! What is enlightenment?" And the Roshi, who believed that enlightenment is immediate, and can be inspired by one's mundane everyday surroundings, looked over the young monk's shoulder toward the outhouse and the cleaning implement hanging from the door. Without hesitation he cried, "Shit on a stick!"
August 17, 2009
Excessively readable and informative, this book is full of fun Buddhist stories and jokes to help clarify the meaning of various sutras and the differences between types of Buddhism. This is probably the most accessible book about Buddhism I've read to date.
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April 30, 2019Jei karščiuoji, gerk karštų vaistų. O jei liga šalta, gerk šaltų vaistų.
***
Svarbiausias dalykas, kurį gali – išmok išties giliai klausti: „Kas esu?“ Kai klausiama tikrai primygtinai, išnyra vien tik „nežinau“. Ir nebūna jokio mąstymo. Nelieka jokios kalbos ar žodžių, nes bet koks mąstymas būna visiškai nutrauktas. Tai vadinama „nežinau“. Kitas apibrėžimas – tikroji savastis, arba tikroji prigimtis.
***
Dzene nieko nekalbama nei apie absoliutų, nei apie priešybių pasaulį. Net nebandoma aiškinti tuštumos, tiesos ar pasaulio, kuriame nieko netrūksta. Dzenas niekada ničnieko neaiškina. Dzenas neteikia daug reikšmės kalbai ar mokymui – jis yra vien meditavimas. Dzeno mokymas tiesiog rodo, koks yra tavo protas šią ir kiekvieną akimirką. Ką darai dabar? Dzeno mokymas mus visada grąžina į tai, ką galima vadinti „momentiniu“, arba „šio mirksnio“, pasauliu. Svarbiausia yra ši akimirka. Viename mirksnyje yra viskas.
***
Neprisirišk prie palankių aplinkybių; neprisirišk prie nepalankių aplinkybių. Tačiau visada žinok, kaip turi elgtis ir palankiomis, ir nepalankiomis aplinkybėmis.
***
Viskas taip greitai pranyksta, tad kokia prasmė prie ko nors prisirišti?
***
Mūsų troškimai ir prisirišimai verčia geisti bei trokšti dalykų, kurie mums nė trupučio nepadeda gyventi.
***
Tai, ką laikome pačiu savimi, tėra minčių, pojūčių, suvokimų, polinkių ir sąmoningumo formų rinkinys, kuris nepaliejamai mainosi, mainosi, ir mainosi.
***
Jei ką nors mąstai ar atlieki daug daug kartų, sukuri psichinį įprotį, kuriame glūdi labai didelė tikimybė, jog tu elgsiesi taip pat, vėl ir vėl, kai tik susiklostys tokios pačios sąlygos. Taigi mąstymas it veiksmai kuria mūsų karmas. Kartodami ir kartodami mintis ir pasirinkimus, mes lemiame savo būties sąlygas.
***
Nekurkite priežasties ir pasekmės, neįsikibkite į jas. Meskite šalin savo nuomones, savo sąlygas ir savo aplinkybes, tada, bėgant laikui, pirminė priežastis pamažu išblės pati. Jūs kuriate savo pasaulį. Bet jei išsaugotumėte „nežinau“ protą, visur ir visuomet, tada viskas atsidurtų anapus laiko ir erdvės. Šią akimirką laikas ir erdvė jūsų nepajėgs valdyti.
***
Jei kvėpuosite labai lėtai, geriau seksis slopinti mąstymą ir atsisieti nuo minčių atsiradimo ir išnykimo. Laikui slenkant, jūsų galios rims ir leisis žemyn, žemyn – į jūsų esaties centrą, tad bus lengviau valdyti savo jausmus ir emocijas.
***
Svarbiausia yra tai, ko būtent šią akimirką tikitės iš savo gyvenimo. Tai, ko šį mirksnį trokštate, sudaro jūsų mintis, o mintys – jūsų gyvenimą. Kai suvokiate, kad visi dalykai iš pat pradžių yra tušti, galite į juos numoti ranka ir tiesiog tik gyventi – be jokių kančių dėl visokių laikinų dalykų.
***
Prieš daugybę amžių Atėnuose gyveno didis filosofas Diogenas. Nepaisant to, kad jo išminčiai negalėjo prilygti joks kitas senovės Graikų filosofas, Diogeno gyvenimas panešėjo į vargingo šuns. Vieną rytą kai filosofas miegojo gatvėje, jis staiga pajuto esąs šiek tiek sužvarbęs ir pabudo. Prie jo stovėjo Aleksandras Didysis. Tą dieną jis buvo nutaręs pasimokyti iš Diogeno.
Diogenas, prisimerkęs nuo šviesos, pažvelgė į jį ir tarė:
– O, Aleksandrai Didysis! Kaip gyvuoji?
– Gerai. Bet noriu tau, Diogenai, padėti. Nukariavau visą pasaulį. Turiu rūmų, aukso, ir turtų neišmatuojamas galybes. Jei ko nors norėtum, duosiu tau. Tik užsimink ir tai buvo Tavo. Ko pageidauji?
– Sakai, nori man padėti?
– Taip, pakartojo Aleksandras Didysis, – noriu tau padėti.
– Ką gi, ačiū tau.
– Tai ar norėsi ko nors?
– Taip, norėsiu, – atsakė Diogenas.
– Tik pasakyk – ir tai jau Tavo. Kas bebūtų.
– Aleksandrai Didysis, prašau neužstoti man saulės.
– Ak, taip taip. Atleisk, atleisk, – ir Aleksandras pasitraukė į šalį. Tada Diogenas pridūrė:
– Ačiū tau, ačiū labai! Man tiek pakanka.
***
– Kas yra Buda?
– Eik, išgerk arbatos.
– Kas yra Dharma?
– Eik, išgerk arbatos.
– Kas yra gyvenimas?
– Eik, išgerk arbatos.
– Kas yra budizmas?
– Eik, išgerk arbatos.
***
Dešimt tūkstančių Dharmų grįžta į Vieną. O kur grįžta Vienas?
***
Esmė yra ta, kad viską kuria jūsų protas. Jei manote, jog kažkas yra sunku, tai bus sunku. Jei manote, jog kažkas paprasta, tai bus paprasta. O jei manote, kad kažkas nėra nei sunku, nei nesunku, tai bus nei sunku, nei nesunku. Tai vis dėlto kaip yra iš tiesų? Nekurk sunkumo ar lengvumo. Ničnieko nekurk: jei ką nors darai, tik daryk. Štai kas yra dzenas.
***
Kartą eidamas Šeštasis patriarchas pamatė du vienuolius, kurie kivirčijosi dėl vėjyje plazdančios vėliavos. Vienas sakė, kad juda vėjas, o ne vėliava, antrasis prieštaravo, jog juda vėliava, o ne vėjas. Juos išklausęs, jis tarė:
– Nejuda nei vėliava, nei vėjas. Tik jūsų protai blaškosi.
***
Meditavimas – tai buvimas tokio proto, kuris nei mirksniui nesiblaško. Meditavimas reiškia proto sedėjimą. Ar tvirtos mano „nežinau“ pratybos? Štai kokia turėtų būti tikroji „laikysena“ ir kaip turėtų būti sutelktos meditavimo pastangos.
***
Kartą vienuolis dzeno miestro Džodžo paprašė:
– Aš tik ką įstojau į vienuolyną. Meistre, prašau mane pamokyti. Džodžu paklausė:
– Ar jau pusryčiavai?
– Taip, pusryčiavau, – atsakė vienuolis.
– Tai eik, išsiplauk dubenėlius.
***
Svarbiausias dalykas, kurį gali – išmok išties giliai klausti: „Kas esu?“ Kai klausiama tikrai primygtinai, išnyra vien tik „nežinau“. Ir nebūna jokio mąstymo. Nelieka jokios kalbos ar žodžių, nes bet koks mąstymas būna visiškai nutrauktas. Tai vadinama „nežinau“. Kitas apibrėžimas – tikroji savastis, arba tikroji prigimtis.
***
Dzene nieko nekalbama nei apie absoliutų, nei apie priešybių pasaulį. Net nebandoma aiškinti tuštumos, tiesos ar pasaulio, kuriame nieko netrūksta. Dzenas niekada ničnieko neaiškina. Dzenas neteikia daug reikšmės kalbai ar mokymui – jis yra vien meditavimas. Dzeno mokymas tiesiog rodo, koks yra tavo protas šią ir kiekvieną akimirką. Ką darai dabar? Dzeno mokymas mus visada grąžina į tai, ką galima vadinti „momentiniu“, arba „šio mirksnio“, pasauliu. Svarbiausia yra ši akimirka. Viename mirksnyje yra viskas.
***
Neprisirišk prie palankių aplinkybių; neprisirišk prie nepalankių aplinkybių. Tačiau visada žinok, kaip turi elgtis ir palankiomis, ir nepalankiomis aplinkybėmis.
***
Viskas taip greitai pranyksta, tad kokia prasmė prie ko nors prisirišti?
***
Mūsų troškimai ir prisirišimai verčia geisti bei trokšti dalykų, kurie mums nė trupučio nepadeda gyventi.
***
Tai, ką laikome pačiu savimi, tėra minčių, pojūčių, suvokimų, polinkių ir sąmoningumo formų rinkinys, kuris nepaliejamai mainosi, mainosi, ir mainosi.
***
Jei ką nors mąstai ar atlieki daug daug kartų, sukuri psichinį įprotį, kuriame glūdi labai didelė tikimybė, jog tu elgsiesi taip pat, vėl ir vėl, kai tik susiklostys tokios pačios sąlygos. Taigi mąstymas it veiksmai kuria mūsų karmas. Kartodami ir kartodami mintis ir pasirinkimus, mes lemiame savo būties sąlygas.
***
Nekurkite priežasties ir pasekmės, neįsikibkite į jas. Meskite šalin savo nuomones, savo sąlygas ir savo aplinkybes, tada, bėgant laikui, pirminė priežastis pamažu išblės pati. Jūs kuriate savo pasaulį. Bet jei išsaugotumėte „nežinau“ protą, visur ir visuomet, tada viskas atsidurtų anapus laiko ir erdvės. Šią akimirką laikas ir erdvė jūsų nepajėgs valdyti.
***
Jei kvėpuosite labai lėtai, geriau seksis slopinti mąstymą ir atsisieti nuo minčių atsiradimo ir išnykimo. Laikui slenkant, jūsų galios rims ir leisis žemyn, žemyn – į jūsų esaties centrą, tad bus lengviau valdyti savo jausmus ir emocijas.
***
Svarbiausia yra tai, ko būtent šią akimirką tikitės iš savo gyvenimo. Tai, ko šį mirksnį trokštate, sudaro jūsų mintis, o mintys – jūsų gyvenimą. Kai suvokiate, kad visi dalykai iš pat pradžių yra tušti, galite į juos numoti ranka ir tiesiog tik gyventi – be jokių kančių dėl visokių laikinų dalykų.
***
Prieš daugybę amžių Atėnuose gyveno didis filosofas Diogenas. Nepaisant to, kad jo išminčiai negalėjo prilygti joks kitas senovės Graikų filosofas, Diogeno gyvenimas panešėjo į vargingo šuns. Vieną rytą kai filosofas miegojo gatvėje, jis staiga pajuto esąs šiek tiek sužvarbęs ir pabudo. Prie jo stovėjo Aleksandras Didysis. Tą dieną jis buvo nutaręs pasimokyti iš Diogeno.
Diogenas, prisimerkęs nuo šviesos, pažvelgė į jį ir tarė:
– O, Aleksandrai Didysis! Kaip gyvuoji?
– Gerai. Bet noriu tau, Diogenai, padėti. Nukariavau visą pasaulį. Turiu rūmų, aukso, ir turtų neišmatuojamas galybes. Jei ko nors norėtum, duosiu tau. Tik užsimink ir tai buvo Tavo. Ko pageidauji?
– Sakai, nori man padėti?
– Taip, pakartojo Aleksandras Didysis, – noriu tau padėti.
– Ką gi, ačiū tau.
– Tai ar norėsi ko nors?
– Taip, norėsiu, – atsakė Diogenas.
– Tik pasakyk – ir tai jau Tavo. Kas bebūtų.
– Aleksandrai Didysis, prašau neužstoti man saulės.
– Ak, taip taip. Atleisk, atleisk, – ir Aleksandras pasitraukė į šalį. Tada Diogenas pridūrė:
– Ačiū tau, ačiū labai! Man tiek pakanka.
***
– Kas yra Buda?
– Eik, išgerk arbatos.
– Kas yra Dharma?
– Eik, išgerk arbatos.
– Kas yra gyvenimas?
– Eik, išgerk arbatos.
– Kas yra budizmas?
– Eik, išgerk arbatos.
***
Dešimt tūkstančių Dharmų grįžta į Vieną. O kur grįžta Vienas?
***
Esmė yra ta, kad viską kuria jūsų protas. Jei manote, jog kažkas yra sunku, tai bus sunku. Jei manote, jog kažkas paprasta, tai bus paprasta. O jei manote, kad kažkas nėra nei sunku, nei nesunku, tai bus nei sunku, nei nesunku. Tai vis dėlto kaip yra iš tiesų? Nekurk sunkumo ar lengvumo. Ničnieko nekurk: jei ką nors darai, tik daryk. Štai kas yra dzenas.
***
Kartą eidamas Šeštasis patriarchas pamatė du vienuolius, kurie kivirčijosi dėl vėjyje plazdančios vėliavos. Vienas sakė, kad juda vėjas, o ne vėliava, antrasis prieštaravo, jog juda vėliava, o ne vėjas. Juos išklausęs, jis tarė:
– Nejuda nei vėliava, nei vėjas. Tik jūsų protai blaškosi.
***
Meditavimas – tai buvimas tokio proto, kuris nei mirksniui nesiblaško. Meditavimas reiškia proto sedėjimą. Ar tvirtos mano „nežinau“ pratybos? Štai kokia turėtų būti tikroji „laikysena“ ir kaip turėtų būti sutelktos meditavimo pastangos.
***
Kartą vienuolis dzeno miestro Džodžo paprašė:
– Aš tik ką įstojau į vienuolyną. Meistre, prašau mane pamokyti. Džodžu paklausė:
– Ar jau pusryčiavai?
– Taip, pusryčiavau, – atsakė vienuolis.
– Tai eik, išsiplauk dubenėlius.
March 21, 2021
Excellent overview of and introduction to Buddhism. Zen Master Seung Zahn writes clearly and with frequent humor to explain the how Buddhism came about and evolved over time, and how insights from each school culminate in wisdom that can be used in the everyday. A great way to get introduced to various Buddhist traditions & practices.
June 30, 2016
Coming empty-handed, going empty-handed - that is human.
Try something, and only do it, then you can get everything.
The 5 human desires: material wealth, sex, fame, food, sleep.
Right livelihood: everyone has 2 jobs
1. Inside work: keeping clear mind
2. Outside work: cutting off selfish desires and helping others
Right effort:
Only try, try, try, try, for ten thousand years, nonstop. Only do it. That is all.
Finding quiet in quiet is not true quiet. Finding quiet in noisy is true quiet.
Simply ask yourself very deeply: "What am I?" What appears is only "Don't know..."
When you practice with a wanting mind, your practice is already going in the wrong direction.
Love + wisdom = compassion.
True Zen means mind-sitting, not body-sitting. It means keeping a not-moving mind, always and everywhere. This is not dependent on any particular posture.
Don't make Zen special. By making Zen special in any way, you create many hindrances in your mind.
Most important thing of the practice: they simply looked inside, very deeply inside, to find their true nature.
When we completely DO something, there is no life no death.
Your mind makes everything.
Don't MAKE difficult or easy. Don't make anything: when you are doing something, just do it. That is Zen.
Only go straight, don't know.
"What is true emptiness?" he asked.
I just sat there and didn't say a word.
A true teacher never lets his students become attached to the candy.
If you truly understand your mistake, it is no longer a mistake.
Intuitive action means acting without any desire or attachment.
From moment to moment, what are you doing RIGHT NOW?
Always keep a clear mind, and then when you are doing something, you just DO IT.
Originally there is nothing, so I cannot get anything.
When I was tired, I slept. When I was hungry, I ate.
Correct direction: using meditation spontaneously from moment to moment only to help other people.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PRACTICE IS YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE.
"How do you clean your mind?"
If you have mind, you must clean it all the time. But if you have no mind then cleaning is not necessary.
Try something, and only do it, then you can get everything.
The 5 human desires: material wealth, sex, fame, food, sleep.
Right livelihood: everyone has 2 jobs
1. Inside work: keeping clear mind
2. Outside work: cutting off selfish desires and helping others
Right effort:
Only try, try, try, try, for ten thousand years, nonstop. Only do it. That is all.
Finding quiet in quiet is not true quiet. Finding quiet in noisy is true quiet.
Simply ask yourself very deeply: "What am I?" What appears is only "Don't know..."
When you practice with a wanting mind, your practice is already going in the wrong direction.
Love + wisdom = compassion.
True Zen means mind-sitting, not body-sitting. It means keeping a not-moving mind, always and everywhere. This is not dependent on any particular posture.
Don't make Zen special. By making Zen special in any way, you create many hindrances in your mind.
Most important thing of the practice: they simply looked inside, very deeply inside, to find their true nature.
When we completely DO something, there is no life no death.
Your mind makes everything.
Don't MAKE difficult or easy. Don't make anything: when you are doing something, just do it. That is Zen.
Only go straight, don't know.
"What is true emptiness?" he asked.
I just sat there and didn't say a word.
A true teacher never lets his students become attached to the candy.
If you truly understand your mistake, it is no longer a mistake.
Intuitive action means acting without any desire or attachment.
From moment to moment, what are you doing RIGHT NOW?
Always keep a clear mind, and then when you are doing something, you just DO IT.
Originally there is nothing, so I cannot get anything.
When I was tired, I slept. When I was hungry, I ate.
Correct direction: using meditation spontaneously from moment to moment only to help other people.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PRACTICE IS YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE.
"How do you clean your mind?"
If you have mind, you must clean it all the time. But if you have no mind then cleaning is not necessary.
February 23, 2021
Turbūt nebuvo nei vieno užversto puslapio be minties, kad visa šita knyga galėjo būti puikiai sutalpinta į 50 puslapių. Vis tik pasiekusi pabaigą supratau, kad tie 400 puslapių man tik į naudą. Tam tikri dalykai, ypač susiję su tokiomis svarbiomis temomis kaip dvasingumas, turi būti pakartoti ne vieną ir ne du kartus. Rodos, visa knyga - lyg užburtas ratas - kur pradėjom, ten ir baigėm. Perskaitęs tą pačią mintį, tačiau 100-tu puslapių vėliau, ją kitaip suvoki, kitaip priimi.
Deja, nenušvitau, nenusprendžiau nusiskusti galvos ir išsikraustyti į vienuolyną, tačiau galiu drąsiai teigti, kad ši knyga man suteikė naujų įžvalgų ir pamąstymų, pamokė apie gyvenimą daugiau nei 12 metų praleistų mokykloje.
Deja, nenušvitau, nenusprendžiau nusiskusti galvos ir išsikraustyti į vienuolyną, tačiau galiu drąsiai teigti, kad ši knyga man suteikė naujų įžvalgų ir pamąstymų, pamokė apie gyvenimą daugiau nei 12 metų praleistų mokykloje.
May 17, 2008
This is one of the best books on Zen Buddhism that I have read. The author, Zen master Seung Sahn writes in a witty and humorous style which I believe is an integral part of Buddhism, and although I am not a buddhist I believe that he captures the spirit of the religion. One of the reasons that I typically steer clear of these sorts of books is the tendency for the authors to hide behind meaningless sentences that "sound good" in order to "grab the reader's attention". None of that here. Instead, there are stories, often very funny ones, and antedotes that somehow grab and in a way explain what buddhists often claim is inexplicable. An interesting read.
September 15, 2015
Tempted to review the book as "Not good, Not bad. Don't know". I now understand why this came so highly recommended, and now i will likely be suggesting it to others. Each section, which together give a comprehensive introduction to a wide picture of zen, is concise without being dry and is very accessible to a lay audience. This is one that I will be keeping out for reference, as well as further study of the Ten Gates kindly included in the appendix.
August 4, 2020
One of the greatest books i've ever read on buddhism and zen, very clear, great examples and stories. It's a great book to enter the world of zen buddhism.
September 12, 2020
Great book to understand Zen philosophy in a deeper book. Great reading!
January 9, 2021
The best book I have read for having a complete understanding of zen.
February 19, 2024
Disclaimer warning! I've been a Zen practitioner for over 30 years, but even a beginner like myself knows a little.
When I first read this book, or let us say when I first attempted to read it, I was blown away. Wow, this looked like the real deal! But of course there is no such thing as a book about Zen being the real deal, as Zen is a 100% systematic and experiential spiritual practice. I mean, the only definition of Zen is a negative one which states what it is not. In one translation or another, it is often said to be a special transmission outside of the Buddhist scriptures, and not dependent on words and letters.
So much for books.
I went back to this book years after reading it, and it's just mostly stuff that Seung Sahn sorta dreamed up. People behaving like animals because they are the reincarnation of all the animals that are killed to eat? May as well be describing a Roger Corman film entitled "Revenge of the Cows and Chickens". Not to mention that Zen has nothing to do w/ any sort of reincarnation belief, or any beliefs at all, spiritual or otherwise. Belief is our problem.
I'm sure that Seung Sahn meant well, and the book is pretty funny in places and now and then somewhat deep, but really, you don't want to take any of this seriously. If anyone is interested in Zen, the basic message is always the same. Just go sit. It is through sitting and walking meditation, and only through meditation, that we have a shot at waking up to reality and dropping our fabricated, ego driven false self.
When I first read this book, or let us say when I first attempted to read it, I was blown away. Wow, this looked like the real deal! But of course there is no such thing as a book about Zen being the real deal, as Zen is a 100% systematic and experiential spiritual practice. I mean, the only definition of Zen is a negative one which states what it is not. In one translation or another, it is often said to be a special transmission outside of the Buddhist scriptures, and not dependent on words and letters.
So much for books.
I went back to this book years after reading it, and it's just mostly stuff that Seung Sahn sorta dreamed up. People behaving like animals because they are the reincarnation of all the animals that are killed to eat? May as well be describing a Roger Corman film entitled "Revenge of the Cows and Chickens". Not to mention that Zen has nothing to do w/ any sort of reincarnation belief, or any beliefs at all, spiritual or otherwise. Belief is our problem.
I'm sure that Seung Sahn meant well, and the book is pretty funny in places and now and then somewhat deep, but really, you don't want to take any of this seriously. If anyone is interested in Zen, the basic message is always the same. Just go sit. It is through sitting and walking meditation, and only through meditation, that we have a shot at waking up to reality and dropping our fabricated, ego driven false self.
October 24, 2020
For the most part, an essential guide to Buddhism in general and Zen in particular. The first book on Buddhism I have read that properly clarified for me the differences between Hinayana (Theravada), Mahayana and Zen.
Mostly transcribed from speeches, it rings with great compassion and humour. But it also has a diamond-hard core of Zen teaching: always keep a 'don't know' mind, treat your unbidden thoughts as delusions, lose your 'I' by attaining pure perception through meditation and everyday living, ultimately gain your true function to 'save all beings'.
Unfortunately, the book is deeply flawed in its soggy middle. The author strays off into discussion of literal rebirth. This goes completely counter to the teaching in the rest of the book and to what Zen is all about. Talk of literal karmic rebirth is a defilement, as it is dualistic in the extreme. You have no self, no 'I', no past or future, no 'soul', so how can there possibly be disembodied consciousnesses floating about looking for forms to be reborn into?
Katz!
In truth, 'you' are 'reborn' only into each new and complete moment. There is only 'now'.
So, read, enjoy, learn, absorb and live this book's core message. But forget about 'rebirth'. It has no place in Zen or in a 'clear-like-space' pure perception mind.
Mostly transcribed from speeches, it rings with great compassion and humour. But it also has a diamond-hard core of Zen teaching: always keep a 'don't know' mind, treat your unbidden thoughts as delusions, lose your 'I' by attaining pure perception through meditation and everyday living, ultimately gain your true function to 'save all beings'.
Unfortunately, the book is deeply flawed in its soggy middle. The author strays off into discussion of literal rebirth. This goes completely counter to the teaching in the rest of the book and to what Zen is all about. Talk of literal karmic rebirth is a defilement, as it is dualistic in the extreme. You have no self, no 'I', no past or future, no 'soul', so how can there possibly be disembodied consciousnesses floating about looking for forms to be reborn into?
Katz!
In truth, 'you' are 'reborn' only into each new and complete moment. There is only 'now'.
So, read, enjoy, learn, absorb and live this book's core message. But forget about 'rebirth'. It has no place in Zen or in a 'clear-like-space' pure perception mind.
August 17, 2022
Clear and often humorous teaching of zen. Changed the way I think about the world and my function in it. Some parts especially the first chapter should be taken with a grain of salt. Just keep reading and you’ll find some great insights.
January 15, 2022
Only Don't Know
January 27, 2022
Amazing
September 28, 2024
Very basic and lacking in structure, however covers most of the main topics, might be suitable as an introduction to Buddhism for a complete beginner.
March 14, 2025
read this book over the course of 2 years, digested it bit by bit here and there
solid entry way for anyone curious about buddhism
solid entry way for anyone curious about buddhism
September 22, 2012
A very good teacher with a wonderful way with words. His key teaching of don't know mind is absoulutely wonderful and that should be the key take away for zen practitioners. I also really liked his description of zen, where all other religions and practices involve describing and explaining something like a watermelon, where as zen just says take a bite - wham - that's watermelon - only you can experience it just like that, no need for talk or thinking, just take a bite! That's really cool and simple yet profound at the same time.
One minor problem i have is his general overview of all of Buddhism and his sort of suggestion that zen is the ultimate Buddhism. It sort of doesn't sit right because, although i practice zen, i don't think there is an ultimate, or a right or wrong, it all depends on what you need to get you to that point of understanding - like the often cited example of the blinded folded men describing an elephant, i think all systems point in the same direction, it just depends how you need to get there. The other thing i disagreed with was his explanation of karma, which was far too reliant on a literal understanding of being reborn and getting a better body - which is quite far removed from how i see it. Still, i don't think he's wrong or anything, i just think that understanding turns it far too much into doing something in order to get something later, a bit like heaven or whatever, and most certainly opens up the whole can of worms that is being born in a 'bad body' as a representation of immorality in a previous life. I'm sure Seung Sahn wouldn't say that's the case, but that does come across a little in these chapters. Zen is completely open, shorn of these sort of beliefs and i think its unhelpful to suggest that rebirth is a necessary part of it in any way. But that's a minor gripe really and only irked me because i was struggling with my own thoughts on this matter at the time.
in short definitely worthy of your time if your a zen buddhist and perhaps as a general intro to it, but i'd recommend zen mind beginners mind as the best out there.
One minor problem i have is his general overview of all of Buddhism and his sort of suggestion that zen is the ultimate Buddhism. It sort of doesn't sit right because, although i practice zen, i don't think there is an ultimate, or a right or wrong, it all depends on what you need to get you to that point of understanding - like the often cited example of the blinded folded men describing an elephant, i think all systems point in the same direction, it just depends how you need to get there. The other thing i disagreed with was his explanation of karma, which was far too reliant on a literal understanding of being reborn and getting a better body - which is quite far removed from how i see it. Still, i don't think he's wrong or anything, i just think that understanding turns it far too much into doing something in order to get something later, a bit like heaven or whatever, and most certainly opens up the whole can of worms that is being born in a 'bad body' as a representation of immorality in a previous life. I'm sure Seung Sahn wouldn't say that's the case, but that does come across a little in these chapters. Zen is completely open, shorn of these sort of beliefs and i think its unhelpful to suggest that rebirth is a necessary part of it in any way. But that's a minor gripe really and only irked me because i was struggling with my own thoughts on this matter at the time.
in short definitely worthy of your time if your a zen buddhist and perhaps as a general intro to it, but i'd recommend zen mind beginners mind as the best out there.
December 7, 2016
Having read this in high school, I found The Compass of Zen to be an accessible and unique overview of the three ancient schools of Buddhism. Its writing flow is well-structured and provides insightful commentary regarding each school. I was especially fascinated by the Gates of Enlightenment which he delineates in the appendix of the book, which serve as a sample of those infamous meditative riddles for which Zen is best known.
Seung Sahn "Seunim" was a highly respected and revered member of the Buddhist community, first in his native country of South Korea and later in the United States. He almost single-handedly tamed the arcane and esoteric aura surrounding Zen, and brought its ideas to the popular masses of the west.
This book was my first in-depth introduction into the intricate yet simple precepts of Buddhism, and I enjoyed it as a teenager trying to broaden my horizons. Beyond the occasional repetitiveness of his rhetoric, many gems of the mind can be extracted from this substantial work, and the hundreds of personal stories and accounts given by Seung Sahn bring a fresh approach to one of the most ancient branches of religion.
Seung Sahn "Seunim" was a highly respected and revered member of the Buddhist community, first in his native country of South Korea and later in the United States. He almost single-handedly tamed the arcane and esoteric aura surrounding Zen, and brought its ideas to the popular masses of the west.
This book was my first in-depth introduction into the intricate yet simple precepts of Buddhism, and I enjoyed it as a teenager trying to broaden my horizons. Beyond the occasional repetitiveness of his rhetoric, many gems of the mind can be extracted from this substantial work, and the hundreds of personal stories and accounts given by Seung Sahn bring a fresh approach to one of the most ancient branches of religion.
September 6, 2013
Zen Master Seung Sahn (biography) was brought up as a Christian in North Korea before World War II. Later he became a Buddhist monk in South Korea. He was ordained in 1948.
Some time later, he visited the United States, and subsequently he decided to move here and teach full-time. I never met him (he died in 2004), but people who knew him well have told me he was an amazing teacher. (You can find some videos of him teaching on YouTube.)
This was the first book about Buddhism that I really studied. I read it again and again for a couple of years. During that time, I read no other books about Buddhism. For a while I thought I would never read any others, but eventually I wanted to study some of the sutras, and so I bought and read other books.
I still return to this book. Dae Soen Sa Nim's teachings are brash, funny, straight to a single point. They seem to me to be perfect Zen. Only go straight! Wake up! Just do it!
Some time later, he visited the United States, and subsequently he decided to move here and teach full-time. I never met him (he died in 2004), but people who knew him well have told me he was an amazing teacher. (You can find some videos of him teaching on YouTube.)
This was the first book about Buddhism that I really studied. I read it again and again for a couple of years. During that time, I read no other books about Buddhism. For a while I thought I would never read any others, but eventually I wanted to study some of the sutras, and so I bought and read other books.
I still return to this book. Dae Soen Sa Nim's teachings are brash, funny, straight to a single point. They seem to me to be perfect Zen. Only go straight! Wake up! Just do it!
August 29, 2025
I read this book at such a hard time in my life and found it so profound and so helpful. I don’t think I understood any of it and over the years I have re read it, again at times of difficulty. The lectures made me think and I definitely managed to achieve don’t know mind and I am not sure I ever will know, although it might be just round the corner. I think it’s an excellent book if you’re interested in the subject and if you are not I doubt you would even read it. I do wish more people were interested and I wonder if that would make a difference to the world but then I think if I struggle to put what I do know into practice, may be not. I want to re read this book again now!
February 20, 2008
A handy overview of basic concepts of Buddhism including Theravada and Mahayana branches. Interesting for anybody wondering about Buddhism or practicing according to any tradition. If you were to read one book on Buddhism I would recommend this one. Valuable source of inspiration for students of Zen.
July 16, 2011
Excellent if you're interested in the progression of thought from Hinayana to Mahayana Buddhism and an interesting introduction to Zen. Some people will find Zen Buddhism to be complete and utter nonsense, but it is only when one begins the ending chapters that it all really begins to tie together. I would highly reccomend this book to my more serious friends.
March 4, 2019
Read it once, not enough, twice, still not enough...
Dae Soen Sa Nim has a wonderful way of teaching filled with stories some of which you would never of heard if you didn't read this book in your lifetime. I've read it at least 3 times now and I will continue to read it as long as I am interested in the Kwan Um School of Zen. What is this book about anyway!?
Dae Soen Sa Nim has a wonderful way of teaching filled with stories some of which you would never of heard if you didn't read this book in your lifetime. I've read it at least 3 times now and I will continue to read it as long as I am interested in the Kwan Um School of Zen. What is this book about anyway!?
September 13, 2013
A rough outline of several major themes in Buddhism. Alright if you already know what he's talking about, less useful to those who pick up the book cold. A good supplement, but not very useful or insightful for much more.
March 22, 2014
There are certainly a few parts of this book that are worth ignoring, but overall it manages to talk about the experience of Zen and of human life more clearly and accurately than just about any other book I can think of. I am deeply grateful for Dae Soen Sunim's practice and teaching!
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