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The Mirror of Zen: The Classic Guide to Buddhist Practice by Zen Master So Sahn
The sacred radiance of our original nature never darkens.
It has shined forth since beginningless time.
Do you wish to enter the gate that leads to this?
Simply do not give rise to conceptual thinking.
Zen Master So Sahn (1520–1604) is a towering figure in the history of Korean Zen. In this treasure-text, he presents in simple yet beautiful language the core principles and teachings of Zen. Each section opens with a quotation—drawn from classical scriptures, teachings, and anecdotes—followed by the author’s commentary and verse. Originally written in Chinese, the text was translated into Korean in the mid-twentieth century by the celebrated Korean monk Boep Joeng. An American Zen monk, Hyon Gak, has translated it into English.
It has shined forth since beginningless time.
Do you wish to enter the gate that leads to this?
Simply do not give rise to conceptual thinking.
Zen Master So Sahn (1520–1604) is a towering figure in the history of Korean Zen. In this treasure-text, he presents in simple yet beautiful language the core principles and teachings of Zen. Each section opens with a quotation—drawn from classical scriptures, teachings, and anecdotes—followed by the author’s commentary and verse. Originally written in Chinese, the text was translated into Korean in the mid-twentieth century by the celebrated Korean monk Boep Joeng. An American Zen monk, Hyon Gak, has translated it into English.
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 11, 2013
Good book in short easily digested sections covering a wide range of topics. While some speak directly to begging monks, most of the sections can be applied to the lay person's daily life. I'd recommend skipping the English addition preface unless you want to see how pride and arrogance can still be dominant personality traits in a high ranking monk even after decades of practice.
January 22, 2014
Inspiring read that provokes thought.
As the Buddha said: "My doctrine implies thinking of that which is beyond thought, performing that which is beyond performance, speaking of that which is beyond words and practicing that which is beyond practice." - Sutra of 42 Sections
The words put into practice.
-Jim
As the Buddha said: "My doctrine implies thinking of that which is beyond thought, performing that which is beyond performance, speaking of that which is beyond words and practicing that which is beyond practice." - Sutra of 42 Sections
The words put into practice.
-Jim
March 8, 2024
The essence of things is just-like-this. Ch 4
"No-mind" is the buddha-way. Ch 20
Me parece interesante el registro de "conceptos", experiencias e interpretaciones compiladas en el libro. Definitivamente el seguimiento de nombres me fue difícil pero creo el mensaje general me agradó y hay varias enseñanzas que seguramente incorporaré próximamente.
If I cannot save this body even in this life, in what lifetime could I ever possibly save it? Ch 22
If you know that the arising thought is itself unreal delusion, you are already free. Ch 34
Because our corpselike body is really just a fragile heap of bubbles no more substantial than a dream. Ch 68
Hay varias ideas que aún me cuesta entender pero también me reconforta que su entendimiento o más bien acceptación "llegará" porque ya "es" o siempre "ha sido". Leer este tipo de libros me ayuda a confrontar mi temporalidad y a agobiarme menos por existir. Al fin y al cabo como un maestro que tuve anteriormente lo importante es "ser". :)
Three things are essential in Zen meditation. The first in Great Faith. The second is Great Courage. The third is Great Doubt. Ch 14
The Buddha urged upon his students the practice of sila (precepts), samadhi (meditation), and prajna (wisdom). Ch 38 Notes
July 2, 2018
This is a short text (157 pages including preface and endnotes). The body of the text is 86 short paragraphs (some only a sentence, rarely more than 4 sentences) of "advice" drawn from a variety of sources. Each short paragraph is numbered on its own page and usually comes with commentary and a gatha. Do not think of these snippets as some sort of truncated "quote" book or cutesy anecdote anthology.
Of the 86 items, I think probably ten are somewhat superficial. Five are probably throw-away (the lineages ones). The rest vary from intense and direct to vitally specific. Like all works regarding Zen, there are conceptual challenges that make the semantics seem contradictory or absurd.
I think though the text is "short" and contains "digestible" pieces, it is definitely not for beginners. I think to fully get the worth out of this text, one has to be rather familiar with a lot of the [Eastern] Zen principles/ideas. Though beginners might approach this text successfully, I think this is more suited to be a sort of QRG that seasoned practitioners would carry around in their pockets.
#68, for example, is a very direct statement regarding the transitory nature of the body. But it might seem disturbing to people who do not wish to look at this viewpoint.
Of the 86 items, I think probably ten are somewhat superficial. Five are probably throw-away (the lineages ones). The rest vary from intense and direct to vitally specific. Like all works regarding Zen, there are conceptual challenges that make the semantics seem contradictory or absurd.
I think though the text is "short" and contains "digestible" pieces, it is definitely not for beginners. I think to fully get the worth out of this text, one has to be rather familiar with a lot of the [Eastern] Zen principles/ideas. Though beginners might approach this text successfully, I think this is more suited to be a sort of QRG that seasoned practitioners would carry around in their pockets.
#68, for example, is a very direct statement regarding the transitory nature of the body. But it might seem disturbing to people who do not wish to look at this viewpoint.
May 1, 2018
I think this book is more for zen meditation Buddhist, not so much for casual reading. I tried.
May 13, 2016
I liked this book and am enjoying reading the Korean Zen masters. There is a simplicity, directness, and lack of pretension to the Korean style. This book is a translation of Master So Sahn's (1520-1604) verse on the core teachings of Zen with commentary by a Korean monk, Boep Joeng.
There are the pithy Zen sayings that function as a finger pointing to the moon, such as: "The essence of things is just like this: If even one thought appears, that is already a mistake." (ch 4)
But there is also a candor that hopefully guides us to stop hoping for a magic moment when we suddenly don't think unskillful thoughts. "It is entirely possible to attain a sudden enlightenment, whereas in actuality, mind-habits cannot be eliminated just as instantly." (ch 37)
Given this challenge and the need for practice, Master So Sahn then talks about the importance of keeping the precepts. The commentator Boep Joeng notes that To keep the precepts is to not follow after mind-habits that do occur. Not giving rise to thinking is the goal of meditation.
Simple, clear, and worth a read.
There are the pithy Zen sayings that function as a finger pointing to the moon, such as: "The essence of things is just like this: If even one thought appears, that is already a mistake." (ch 4)
But there is also a candor that hopefully guides us to stop hoping for a magic moment when we suddenly don't think unskillful thoughts. "It is entirely possible to attain a sudden enlightenment, whereas in actuality, mind-habits cannot be eliminated just as instantly." (ch 37)
Given this challenge and the need for practice, Master So Sahn then talks about the importance of keeping the precepts. The commentator Boep Joeng notes that To keep the precepts is to not follow after mind-habits that do occur. Not giving rise to thinking is the goal of meditation.
Simple, clear, and worth a read.
December 15, 2015
This book was very easy to read. Each chapter starts with a small verse/quote from elsewhere with a few paragraphs of commentary.
As you would expect from a book on Zen, The words are few and very direct. Pointing to a meaning instead of endlessly explaining it. Using words is already taking a step away from any truth it's trying to convey. The book is self-aware in that. Use it for inspiration, but look inside for the true teaching.
Overall, I enjoyed this light, airy book that leaves more to be discovered.
As you would expect from a book on Zen, The words are few and very direct. Pointing to a meaning instead of endlessly explaining it. Using words is already taking a step away from any truth it's trying to convey. The book is self-aware in that. Use it for inspiration, but look inside for the true teaching.
Overall, I enjoyed this light, airy book that leaves more to be discovered.
April 30, 2017
An easy Korean zen masterpiece that can help the novice and the master walk through the wisdom of the Buddhist sages!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews