Kusan Sunim
Published: 2004-08-01
Total Pages: 192
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Kusan Sunim (1901-83) was one of the greatest modern masters of Korean Zen. As the Zen Master of the Songgwang Monastery, he preached the sermons and dharma talks collected here. First published in 1985 and long out of print, these pithy, down-to-earth, refreshingly practical guides to meditation and spiritual cultivation are now again available to followers of Buddhism and the Way of Zen. A brief history of Korean Buddhism, a fascinating account of life in a Korean monastery, and a biography of Master Kusan provide important background information, and the glossary of Korean and general Buddhist terms is a valuable tool for readers new to the field of Buddhist studies. Of special interest is Master Kusan's presentation of a meditation practice, unique to Korean Zen, the hwadu. Zen students familiar with koan riddles and the "just sitting" practice of Japanese Zen will be eager to learn of this distinctively Korean approach to meditation, and to read Master Kusan's detailed instructions for its practice. Master Kusan also offers a interpretation of the classic Ten Oxherding Pictures, illustrated by the ink paintings of "Living National Treasure" Sokchong Sunim.