Dharma Talk by Z.M. Pohwa at World Culture Open,George Washington University 6-1-2003 My body can not talk the Dhrama. Your body can not listen to the Dharma. Then, what is talking and listening to the Dharma? Where the old monkey whistles, there is wall after wall. Tak! (The sound of bamboo stick) This whole world
The Four Snakes in the Garden Read More »
The Buddha’s Birthday — why is it special? Two thousand five hundred and forty-four years ago, when the World-Honored One was born in India, he looked around, walked seven steps in four directions, and pointing one finger to heaven and one to Earth, he roared out, “Above Heaven and below Heaven; only I am the
Buddha’s Birthday Dharma Talk Read More »
After the beginning, everything became a mess.Buddha and sentient beings wrestled in the mud.God and sinners were all mixed up. So, I am notasking about ‘after the beginning.’ Tell me somethingabout ‘before the beginning.’ When nobody answered, Sunim replied:Before the donkey was finished, the horse arrived. When there is beginning,There is no ending.When there is
After the Beginning Read More »
The human mind is composed of many things at once. But to reach a decision, human thought approaches a oneness. And the origin of religion is in that oneness. Truth is One Thing by its very nature. In this connection, a person can realize that it is also oneness to gain enlightenment or to fail
What is Oneness before we call it One? Read More »
After a Dharma talk at Columbia University, a student asked Sunim, “Do you like New York City?”Sunim replied, “Yes, I like the Big Apple very much.”The student said, “What are you expecting to do in the City?”Sunim abruptly held out his empty hand to the student.
At Dharma meeting, on King Street, Old Town Alexandria, VA, a visitor from other Sangha asked Sunim, “Call me by my true name.”Sunim said, “Call me by my true name!”
Call Me By My True Name Read More »
At another recent interview, Tae Woo (Alison Hudson) said to Sunim, “In Shunryu Suzuki’s biography, A Crooked Cucumber, a long-time, but still confused student asked Suzuki: ‘Please explain Buddhism in one sentence.’? Suzuki replied: ‘Everything changes.’”Sunim said, “I would not have answered that way.”Tae Woo asked Sunim, “Please explain Buddhism in one sentence.”Sunim replied, “Period.”
Buddhism in One Sentence Read More »
At an interview, Kum Ryong (Jon Powell) asked: “Sunim, one day you said it is real when you hit the floor with the staff.? On another day, you said it was an illusion when you hit the floor with the staff.? Is it real or is it an illusion?”Sunim said: “It is not illusion nor
At the Phoenix Zen Sangha, a member, Sung-man, said, “I canceled all golf schedules today when I heard you were coming here, Master.”Sunim said, “You are a man who plays real golf.” The Grand Master laughed.
Mr. T, visiting from another Sangha asked:“Can you answer,? what is your teacher’s background?”Sunim answered: “Lemonade comes from lemons.”Mr. T said: “Thirsty people will suck lemons and think it’s lemonade.”Sunim responded: “You have a very interesting background.”