Getting back to Dok Sahn, he was presented with this conundrum. He bowed,
because he realized that his knowledge and understanding could not save him.
Reasoning and intellect were snuffed out just like the candle flame when Yong
Dam blew it out. Everything became “equal.”
Seeing Dok Sahn’s penetration, Yong Dam was quick to exhort, “What did you
understand?” Dok Sahn said “from now on I will practice the teachings of all the
Zen Master Ancestors in the world.”
Zen Masters are always pointing to just now: What is this? How is it just now?
Dok Sahn realized that his mastery of the sutras and his conceptual knowledge of
the Buddhist teachings were of little or no consequence at the point when the
candle was extinguished. At best the sutras could only “point” to the experience he
was having in that moment.
The next day, Zen Master Yong Dam ascended the high rostrum and declared,
“Among you there is a big man whose fangs are like swords, and whose mouth is
like a big blood pot. You may hit him with a stick, but he will not turn his head.
Some day in the future, he will make his way to the top of a high mountain.”
Yong Dam recognized that this was no ordinary individual. As with so many
stories about ripe students, the previous night’s singular experience was the
catalyst for Dok Sahn. His mind opened and became clear like space. We
sometimes call this “no hindrance.” In our school it is simply “don’t know.”
“Hit with a stick and not turn his head” meant that his life direction was now
completely clear. He is undisturbed and undaunted by the ten thousand things and
nothing can deter him from this clear direction.
One time I had the privilege of being Zen Master Seung Sahn’s attendant at
Mountain Spirit Center in California for a dedication ceremony. A Buddhist scholar
was there by invitation participating in the festivities. During a break, this man
approached Dae Soen Sa Nim for a private interview. As his attendant, I was
perceived ninja style, and went into a closet in the room and sat meditation facing
the wall. The professor sincerely asked the following: “I’ve written books about
Buddhism, was a monk for a period of time, and am now a college professor
specializing in Buddhist studies. Despite all this accomplishment, I really don’t feel
any closer to having a personal grasp of the teaching than when I first started.
Please sir, if you could somehow distill the teaching and all the 84,000 texts into a
single bit of advice for me, what would it be?”
Without hesitation Zen Master Seung Sahn replied, “Only keep your life direction clear.”
CONCLUSION PART THREE NEXT WEEK