Korean Zen master passes away

by Robert Koehler on December 1, 2004

Buddhist Zen master Seung Sahn passed away at Hwagye Temple in Seoul Tuesday afternoon.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

1 cs December 1, 2004 at 4:25 am: Sorry to hear of his passing. His books were wonderful and are a great introduction to Zen. But I ultimately gave the books away and will probably never buy another one once I found out about his rather scandalous and somewhat corrupt personal life.
2 Lorianne December 1, 2004 at 7:58 pm: I’m assuming (?) that the “rather scandalous and somewhat corrupt personal life” that the previous comment refers to is a nod to something that happened (and for which ZM Seung Sahn publically apologized and repented for) in the 1970s. I don’t idolize or revere *any* teacher, and I wouldn’t reject the teachings of someone who demonstrated (and hasn’t repeated) human failings *two decades* ago. To paraphrase a teacher from another spiritual tradition, let he who is without scandalous and corrupt behavior cast the first stone.
3 Adamu December 2, 2004 at 11:19 am: Talk about stone-casting. Like you’ve never given away books because you don’t like the guy who wrote them. There comes a point when the teacher becomes too shameful to learn from.
4 cs December 3, 2004 at 10:16 am: In addition to what I just posted, I should add that “human failings” really invalidate the quasi-mystical sense of being a Zen Master. If you’re still prey to the lusts of this life after getting that wet flash of enlightenment, then what’s the point. That was a major component of my disappointment in the days when I still took Zen seriously.
5 Jonas December 4, 2004 at 12:06 am: What we are talking about? Passing and appearing. Put it all down! Only this is the Memorial…
6 Michael Wilson December 6, 2004 at 11:29 am: Visiting Hya Ge Sa in Seoul was very warm and welcoming, as a Canadian buddhist living in a remote Korean county, where few Korean buddhists spoke english. The Zen students here were very good, and they came from many different countries, a true international spirit. There were other Korean Zen masters who’s books I read and revered higher, but Seung Sahn was a living presence and his good work lives on in his excellent students.