Dharma Exchange

In the Airplane

In the airplane, traveling from Phoenix to Los Angeles, Sunim pointed with his finger to smoke on the Earth outside the window and said to the Grand Master Mo-Fung, “Baking coals in the Southern Mountain!”


The Master replied immediately, “Scattering ashes in the Northern Mountain!”


Sunim bowed to his Master.


The Master patted Sunim on the shoulder.

Heart’s Respect

A member of the Phoenix Sangha asked, “Sunim, you are a great, great Master and I respect you with all of my heart.”


Sunim said, “Come down from there.”

Zen Master

Bub Ihn (Adrian Contee) asked Sunim;”Sunim, my friend asked me how he can become a Zen Master. How should I answer him?”


Sunim said, “Tell him to make a business card.”

Two Nostrils

Korean Monk Mok-Woo visited the Sangha and said, “Sunim, you speak about Zen; but when you say Zen, it is not Zen already.” Sunim said, “What is it then?” Mok-Woo replied after a while, “I don’t know.”

Sunim said, “You have two nostrils on your face.”

Hair Grows on Front Teeth

Bruce, a Sangha member, now based in Iraq asked, “Sunim, I remember that you once said, ‘When Spring comes, grass grows naturally’. But what about in the desert, where there’s no grass, rain, or fun?” Sunim replied, “Hair grows on front teeth.”

What is Zen?

Korean Monk Mok-Woo visited the Sangha and said, “Sunim, you speak about Zen; but when you say Zen, it is not Zen already.” Sunim said, “What is it then?” Mok-Woo replied after a while, “I don’t know.” Sunim said, “You are Mok-Woo. Don’t forget it.”