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Dropping Ashes on the Buddha: The Teachings of Zen Master Seung Sahn
The classic guide for Zen students pursuing the true way. “Somebody comes into the Zen center with a lighted cigarette, walks up to the Buddha-statue, blows smoke in its face and drops ashes on its lap. You are standing there. What can you do?� This is a problem that Zen Master Seung Sahn was fond of posing to his American students who attended his Zen centers. Dropping Ashes on the Buddha is a delightful, irreverent, and often hilariously funny living record of the dialogue between Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn and his American students. Consisting of dialogues, stories, formal Zen interviews, Dharma speeches, and letters using the Zen Master’s actual words in spontaneous, living interaction, this book is a fresh presentation of the Zen teaching method of “instant dialogue� between Master and student which, through the use of astonishment and paradox, leads to an understanding of ultimate reality.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
April 22, 2019
A very fine bunch of essays to read when you find yourself taking life too seriously.
For that matter, also a very fine bunch of essays to read when you find yourself not taking life seriously enough.
To be a bat's a bum thing
A silly and a dumb thing
But at least a bat is something
And you're not a thing at all
No, you're not a thing at all
3.5 stars out of 5 - although these are 5 star ideas and make for wonderful reading, the book as a whole earns a lower score overall because of how often the essays repeat themselves.
For that matter, also a very fine bunch of essays to read when you find yourself not taking life seriously enough.
To be a bat's a bum thing
A silly and a dumb thing
But at least a bat is something
And you're not a thing at all
No, you're not a thing at all
3.5 stars out of 5 - although these are 5 star ideas and make for wonderful reading, the book as a whole earns a lower score overall because of how often the essays repeat themselves.
December 15, 2016
If you want to learn about zen and laugh your ass off at the same time, this is a book for you. Actually, this is a perfect book for writers. On letting go. If you're blocked, it will get you unblocked. And if it won't, come to me and I will hit you with a stick thirty times and shout in your face: "KATZ!!!" That ought to do it. By the way, I'm buying it to reread in times of despair, and suggest you do too. As a bonus, it will turn your mind inside out and thoroughly empty it, and you will attain bliss.
February 15, 2008
Favorite quote: You can take your dharma and shove it up your ass!
April 17, 2018
While Dropping Ashes on the Buddha is certainly a good read, I can't help but wish it were quite a bit shorter. The best zen texts (or religious texts, for that matter) are always the most succinct, and Dropping Ashes on the Buddha suffers from diminishing returns. The first time Seung Sahn quotes Jo-Ju, I found it to be a novel question for zen students. The twentieth time, I was just powering through something I'd already read a dozen times.
And it's the same with all of his popular kong-ans (koans). They get repeated ad nauseum, and one can't feel that the long length of the book is at odds with the subject matter.
And it's the same with all of his popular kong-ans (koans). They get repeated ad nauseum, and one can't feel that the long length of the book is at odds with the subject matter.
January 23, 2021
'Dropping Ashes on the Buddha' came highly recommended, but left me deeply disappointed.
The book, a collection of letters and talks, is supposed to impart the wisdom of Zen Master Seung Sahn, a Korean Buddhist Zen master who divided his time between Massachuessets, Providence, and New York. Over the course of the book, however, I came to the conclusion that Seung Sahn was a fraud.
The Master attributes powers to Zen that simply don't exist, asserting that Zen masters can do things like fly and walk on water. He makes the practice of Zen, something as simple as water flowing in a brook, seem confusing and unapproachable. Basically, he's putting us on.
You see, a true master of any discipline can make the complex simple. It takes a poseur to make the simple complex, and Sueng adds to the complex by layering it with opacity and self-importance. The Western seeker after Zen would do better to study Thomas Merton's 'Zen and the Birds of Appetite.' Merton's book is approachable, readable, simple. As Zen is simple.
Yes, I'm aware that many contemporary thought leaders swear by 'Dropping Ashes on the Buddha.' But the emperor has no clothes.
The book, a collection of letters and talks, is supposed to impart the wisdom of Zen Master Seung Sahn, a Korean Buddhist Zen master who divided his time between Massachuessets, Providence, and New York. Over the course of the book, however, I came to the conclusion that Seung Sahn was a fraud.
The Master attributes powers to Zen that simply don't exist, asserting that Zen masters can do things like fly and walk on water. He makes the practice of Zen, something as simple as water flowing in a brook, seem confusing and unapproachable. Basically, he's putting us on.
You see, a true master of any discipline can make the complex simple. It takes a poseur to make the simple complex, and Sueng adds to the complex by layering it with opacity and self-importance. The Western seeker after Zen would do better to study Thomas Merton's 'Zen and the Birds of Appetite.' Merton's book is approachable, readable, simple. As Zen is simple.
Yes, I'm aware that many contemporary thought leaders swear by 'Dropping Ashes on the Buddha.' But the emperor has no clothes.
March 18, 2018
Equal parts enlightening and infuriating. The method of teaching seems purposefully designed to provoke and confound students. Perhaps it is how the book is edited, for there are a few times when Seung Sahn actually tries to explain what he means in a way that advances a students understanding. But many of the selections seems focused more on presenting a paradox that has no answer, and leaving the students (and me) wondering, lost. Again, that may well be the point. It just seemed (based on reading, say, Shunryu Suzuki) that there are (for me) more helpful ways.
p.s. I did note the irony that I was getting irritated at certain sections. So much for non-judgment! The Zen Master certainly made me aware that I have a long way to go and need a lot more practice :-)
p.s. I did note the irony that I was getting irritated at certain sections. So much for non-judgment! The Zen Master certainly made me aware that I have a long way to go and need a lot more practice :-)
September 11, 2013
An amazing book of Buddhist koans (kong-ans) taught by the late Seung Sahn. Seung Sahn is a Zen master and takes a very simple approach to his teaching, which makes this book especially accessible for the casual reader. To get the most out of this book, I'd suggest having some background info on Buddhism before delving in.
The book is a collection of lectures and conversations between Seung Sahn and his students. I got the impression that most of these occurred in between the late 60s and early 80s. Some of the students have hippy-like questions and answer, but don't mistake this book as a bunch of new-age hippy BS. Seung Sahn taught all people of different backgrounds in the same way and is one of the most respected zen masters of recent times. Many people feel Seung Sahn was the reason Zen Buddhism got a foothold in America and if you read the book you'll understand why. He makes the topics fun and thought provoking with no dry speeches or arrogance.
One my favorite books of Buddhist stories and teachings I have read.
The book is a collection of lectures and conversations between Seung Sahn and his students. I got the impression that most of these occurred in between the late 60s and early 80s. Some of the students have hippy-like questions and answer, but don't mistake this book as a bunch of new-age hippy BS. Seung Sahn taught all people of different backgrounds in the same way and is one of the most respected zen masters of recent times. Many people feel Seung Sahn was the reason Zen Buddhism got a foothold in America and if you read the book you'll understand why. He makes the topics fun and thought provoking with no dry speeches or arrogance.
One my favorite books of Buddhist stories and teachings I have read.
January 6, 2013
beautiful book. every little story and letter had something remarkable to teach in a very new and fresh way.
August 24, 2022
Viena pirmųjų mano pažinčių su budizmu. Knygoje nagrinėjamas klausimas ką daryti, kai kas nors ateina į šventyklą ir barsto cigarėtės pelenus ant Budos statulėlės.
May 25, 2012
� So, Here's the Scenario: "Someone comes into the Zen Center with a lighted cigarette, walks up to the Buddha Statue, blows smoke in its face, and dops his ashes on the Buddha's lap. You are standing there. •What can/will You Do?"
•Wondrous Zen! The First book I was ever given, about the Dharma...and What an introduction it was! Albeit too bizarre, at the time. However, as things go in cycles, I would come back to this exact copy of "Dropping Ashes On The Buddha" (Original, first edition, paperback, in good shape) many years later, and I would fall in love with it, this time...as I am today, i was just reading a Dharma Talk by Master Seung Sahn (not to be confused with the ancient patriarch, of the same name (pronounced, it sonds more like Led Zeppelin's: "Swan Song" ) That's really how it sounds.. 'swan song'.
� __/I\__ Namo Buddhaya, Namo Dharmaya. Namo Sanghaya, Namo, Nama. Om, Ah, Hum! __/I\__ <3
•Wondrous Zen! The First book I was ever given, about the Dharma...and What an introduction it was! Albeit too bizarre, at the time. However, as things go in cycles, I would come back to this exact copy of "Dropping Ashes On The Buddha" (Original, first edition, paperback, in good shape) many years later, and I would fall in love with it, this time...as I am today, i was just reading a Dharma Talk by Master Seung Sahn (not to be confused with the ancient patriarch, of the same name (pronounced, it sonds more like Led Zeppelin's: "Swan Song" ) That's really how it sounds.. 'swan song'.
� __/I\__ Namo Buddhaya, Namo Dharmaya. Namo Sanghaya, Namo, Nama. Om, Ah, Hum! __/I\__ <3
January 29, 2008
i like it so much, i got a tattoo of the cover
January 20, 2010
A fun if sometimes bizarre read. Koan-intensive, lots of Seung Sahn focus, with some new information on Zen (from my perspective). /me slaps the ground.
February 1, 2017
This book is a hard read, but I am so glad I finished reading through it. Unlike other spiritual books, this one isn't a guided instruction so much. Instead, the story here takes you through the riddles and 'questions and answers' the Zen master has with his students and those that approach him.
The biggest takeaway I got this book, is always to keep "don't know mind". "Don't know mind" in essence refers to the state of looking at the world, and yourself - without having preconceived notions. However, since I've lived x amount years on this Earth, I've already built quite a mass of information in regards to the world around me. Whether it's the name I give to the orange light in the sky (I.e The Sun), or the green stuff I walk on (Grass), or who I are "Insert 'Samy Felice' name".
"The Sun" or "Grass" or "my name" doesn't have any reality of its own, it's just a construct we've created to dematerialize the world. For the better, we can point to the things in our environment for the sake of conversation and identification. For the worst, we've now limited our thinking because we now can't see the innocence of the sun or the grass or ourselves. The way of looking at the world without knowing what the world, slowly becomes covered by more and more labels as we grow up.
During meditation, we often enter a state of "don't know mind" - a place of silence and nothingness that connects us to an infinite stillness. I know I have, and I never had a way to describe it quickly and directly. But I believe the phrase "don't know mind" (use lightly - we don't want to hold on too tightly to labels) is a great way to describe this state.
Here are some of my favourite passages from this book:
"Your substance and the substance of the whole universe are the same. So this cup is you, you are this cup. They are not two. If you are thinking, they are different."
Meditating on - 'Where were you born'
"Only Keep don't-know. Don't be attached to words. This don't-know is your true self. It is nothing at all. It is very easy, not difficult. So you must keep only don't know, always and everywhere. Then you will soon get enlightenment. But be very careful not to want enlightenment. Only keep don't know mind."
"Your situation, condition, opinions - throw them all away."
"No desire for myself, desire for all people." "I eat for you.
So ask yourself, 'What am I'? And keep your don't know mind.
"If you cut off thinking, there is no mind. If you are thinking, you have opposites: good and bad, enlightened and unenlightened. But if you cut off thinking, there are no opposites."
One Monk said "It is the flag that is moving. Another said the wind is moving. The Sixth Patriarch said "You are both wrong. It is not the flag, not the wind, it is your mind."
In empty mind, is there are you? Is there an I?
"You are already enlightened. But you don't know it. So after much hard training: ah, this is enlightenment! It is very easy. This is your mind. My eyes can't see my eyes. To try and see my eyes is the wrong way. My mind can't understand my mind."
"You must cut off all thinking and all desires for yourself. Then you will soon attain enlightenment."
"When you understand yourself, it is very easy to paint or write poems or do caligraphy or tea or karate."
"You don't like plastic flowers, so your mind has become plastic, and the whole universe is plastic. Put it all down. Then you won't be hindered by anything."
"In the same way, we are always hearing the sounds of cars, waterfalls, rain. All these sounds are sermons, they are the voice of the Buddha himself preaching to us."
"But you must not check your mind".
"Mind is constantly changing. If you are not attached to your changing mind, then you will attain your true nature."
"What is good? What is bad? You want to be a good Zen Student; you want to be a good man. This is thinking. Put it down! Put it all down!
"The mind that only tries to help all people is clear mind. So the mind that is lost in desire is small mind."
"Bodhisattva means no desire for myself, only for all people. So I hope that you put it down. Put it down. Put it all down!"
"Always return to your true self. Then there are no eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind, no color, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch, no object of mind."
"Understanding is thinking. Attainment is before thinking."
"If you cut through the one question, then the ten thousand questions all disappear."
"The whole Universe is created by your thinking."
I really enjoyed how this book has helped layed the seeds for me to become a more selfless person. I realize that I have a lot of ego come up in various situations in my day to day life. Yet, I can't hope to be "enlightened" because I already am. I just need to maintain my state of "don't know mind" and to install practices in my routine that enable me to detach myself from the ever-changing state of my mind.
Despite perhaps 20% of the book being incomprehensible, I the 80% that made sense for me. I highly recommend it if you're looking to immerse yourself in an atypical view of spirituality. Nowadays, we hear a lot about the popular books in spirituality, and for some, these books can turn them off. It's my belief, that all the spiritual books related to cutting thinking or living with presence, teach the same thing, but in a different manner. The more you're able to expose yourself to different angles, the likelier you'll be able to create a shift in your perspective for the better.
The biggest takeaway I got this book, is always to keep "don't know mind". "Don't know mind" in essence refers to the state of looking at the world, and yourself - without having preconceived notions. However, since I've lived x amount years on this Earth, I've already built quite a mass of information in regards to the world around me. Whether it's the name I give to the orange light in the sky (I.e The Sun), or the green stuff I walk on (Grass), or who I are "Insert 'Samy Felice' name".
"The Sun" or "Grass" or "my name" doesn't have any reality of its own, it's just a construct we've created to dematerialize the world. For the better, we can point to the things in our environment for the sake of conversation and identification. For the worst, we've now limited our thinking because we now can't see the innocence of the sun or the grass or ourselves. The way of looking at the world without knowing what the world, slowly becomes covered by more and more labels as we grow up.
During meditation, we often enter a state of "don't know mind" - a place of silence and nothingness that connects us to an infinite stillness. I know I have, and I never had a way to describe it quickly and directly. But I believe the phrase "don't know mind" (use lightly - we don't want to hold on too tightly to labels) is a great way to describe this state.
Here are some of my favourite passages from this book:
"Your substance and the substance of the whole universe are the same. So this cup is you, you are this cup. They are not two. If you are thinking, they are different."
Meditating on - 'Where were you born'
"Only Keep don't-know. Don't be attached to words. This don't-know is your true self. It is nothing at all. It is very easy, not difficult. So you must keep only don't know, always and everywhere. Then you will soon get enlightenment. But be very careful not to want enlightenment. Only keep don't know mind."
"Your situation, condition, opinions - throw them all away."
"No desire for myself, desire for all people." "I eat for you.
So ask yourself, 'What am I'? And keep your don't know mind.
"If you cut off thinking, there is no mind. If you are thinking, you have opposites: good and bad, enlightened and unenlightened. But if you cut off thinking, there are no opposites."
One Monk said "It is the flag that is moving. Another said the wind is moving. The Sixth Patriarch said "You are both wrong. It is not the flag, not the wind, it is your mind."
In empty mind, is there are you? Is there an I?
"You are already enlightened. But you don't know it. So after much hard training: ah, this is enlightenment! It is very easy. This is your mind. My eyes can't see my eyes. To try and see my eyes is the wrong way. My mind can't understand my mind."
"You must cut off all thinking and all desires for yourself. Then you will soon attain enlightenment."
"When you understand yourself, it is very easy to paint or write poems or do caligraphy or tea or karate."
"You don't like plastic flowers, so your mind has become plastic, and the whole universe is plastic. Put it all down. Then you won't be hindered by anything."
"In the same way, we are always hearing the sounds of cars, waterfalls, rain. All these sounds are sermons, they are the voice of the Buddha himself preaching to us."
"But you must not check your mind".
"Mind is constantly changing. If you are not attached to your changing mind, then you will attain your true nature."
"What is good? What is bad? You want to be a good Zen Student; you want to be a good man. This is thinking. Put it down! Put it all down!
"The mind that only tries to help all people is clear mind. So the mind that is lost in desire is small mind."
"Bodhisattva means no desire for myself, only for all people. So I hope that you put it down. Put it down. Put it all down!"
"Always return to your true self. Then there are no eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind, no color, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch, no object of mind."
"Understanding is thinking. Attainment is before thinking."
"If you cut through the one question, then the ten thousand questions all disappear."
"The whole Universe is created by your thinking."
I really enjoyed how this book has helped layed the seeds for me to become a more selfless person. I realize that I have a lot of ego come up in various situations in my day to day life. Yet, I can't hope to be "enlightened" because I already am. I just need to maintain my state of "don't know mind" and to install practices in my routine that enable me to detach myself from the ever-changing state of my mind.
Despite perhaps 20% of the book being incomprehensible, I the 80% that made sense for me. I highly recommend it if you're looking to immerse yourself in an atypical view of spirituality. Nowadays, we hear a lot about the popular books in spirituality, and for some, these books can turn them off. It's my belief, that all the spiritual books related to cutting thinking or living with presence, teach the same thing, but in a different manner. The more you're able to expose yourself to different angles, the likelier you'll be able to create a shift in your perspective for the better.
March 6, 2022
I read this book for a book group. The book was mostly beyond what I was able to understand upon first reading. It was fascinating seeing what the group members got from various passages and in conversation with each other. I would like to read this book again in a few years and see if it comes across differently to me.
June 7, 2016
This was the book that finally let me wrap my mind around Zen. I just finished it, and read it's page-long chapters one a day for months in order to slowly go through it and try to meditate on the teachings.
Eastern philosophy is really hard to grasp when you are coming from western civilization and a strong grounding in western philosophy. Unlike so many other books and discourses, Seung Sahn's traditional Korean teachings were distributed in America during the 1970s. He takes a fantastic legacy of teachers and adapts it for a modern American audience without compromising or westernising the actual content.
I'll be honest, the first fifty pages I was NOT getting it at all...but I hung with, and eventually the strange paradoxes and impossible riddles started to sink in. I highly recommend this book to anyone who sees the value in a calm, peaceful mind but thinks Zen is "too extreme" or "too strange." This book makes the philosophy incredibly accessible, if you can hang with it long enough to get the knack of thinking about it.
Eastern philosophy is really hard to grasp when you are coming from western civilization and a strong grounding in western philosophy. Unlike so many other books and discourses, Seung Sahn's traditional Korean teachings were distributed in America during the 1970s. He takes a fantastic legacy of teachers and adapts it for a modern American audience without compromising or westernising the actual content.
I'll be honest, the first fifty pages I was NOT getting it at all...but I hung with, and eventually the strange paradoxes and impossible riddles started to sink in. I highly recommend this book to anyone who sees the value in a calm, peaceful mind but thinks Zen is "too extreme" or "too strange." This book makes the philosophy incredibly accessible, if you can hang with it long enough to get the knack of thinking about it.
February 5, 2017
KATZ!!!
Helped me feel unattached for a few hours, even in a very distracting environment. Wonderful accompaniment to the start of a meditation habit. Shows a side of the world that is easy, in these times, to forget about, but which was and is very real. Somewhat repetitive, but the form fits the content. Close to five stars.
Helped me feel unattached for a few hours, even in a very distracting environment. Wonderful accompaniment to the start of a meditation habit. Shows a side of the world that is easy, in these times, to forget about, but which was and is very real. Somewhat repetitive, but the form fits the content. Close to five stars.
May 17, 2007
Cleared my mind
December 28, 2014
The book that finally made sense of Zen koans for me.
September 7, 2014
A drastic jump straight into the practices and excercises Zen Buddhists employ. Abandon logic, structure, and what you held relevant, as this book will surely catch you off guard.
December 28, 2023
There is a lot of stick-wacking, 3lbs of flax, and cats.
Unfortunately from the get-go, the overall vibe of the individual is tainted by his "rules for thee but not for me" approach. He claimed to be abstinent, but upon discovery, it was found that he had sexual relations with some of his students. His subsequent apology suggested that he did not want that information known. Not out of privacy but seemingly out of embarrassment.
This is similar to other Eastern-esque teachers such as Chogyam Trungpa or Krishnamurti, they didn't practice what they preached either. I don't believe these men were awful, they were very wonderful people in many other regards, but at least Alan Watts kept his skeletons out in the open rather than in the closet.
Generally, there are still valuable insights to glean. Unfortunately, the media format of this fellow human does not translate well to the written word. Phrases are often repeated, suitable for internal memorization but less effective for the reader who encounters multiple stories sharing the same structure, koans, and lessons.
One thing that annoyed me was that the students constantly screeching "KATZ" never seemed to show a sense of true understanding; it felt like imitation. They appeared to say what the teacher wanted to hear, which often involved strange or pre-fabricated answers lacking cognitive effort—an echo chamber.
Telling everyone the answer to a difficult math question does no good without the preceding steps or the process through which enlightenment was achieved. Seuyung Song does not remedy this in his book; no clear answer or steps are provided. While he has seen the top of the mountain and is eager to share insights, how to get there or see it for yourself is nowhere to be found.
I'm certain he made more sense in person and speech. I've read plenty about teachers who spoke with profundity but only had a basic grasp of the English language. Therefore, while his teachings may be repetitive, simple, and unclear in the written word, I imagine he was quite the character to be around physically, and these ‘issues� were not issues at all in daily teaching. In the end, unfortunately, his wisdom and knowledge were lost on me within the pages.
Written and revised by myself along with a peer review by ChatGPT.
Unfortunately from the get-go, the overall vibe of the individual is tainted by his "rules for thee but not for me" approach. He claimed to be abstinent, but upon discovery, it was found that he had sexual relations with some of his students. His subsequent apology suggested that he did not want that information known. Not out of privacy but seemingly out of embarrassment.
This is similar to other Eastern-esque teachers such as Chogyam Trungpa or Krishnamurti, they didn't practice what they preached either. I don't believe these men were awful, they were very wonderful people in many other regards, but at least Alan Watts kept his skeletons out in the open rather than in the closet.
Generally, there are still valuable insights to glean. Unfortunately, the media format of this fellow human does not translate well to the written word. Phrases are often repeated, suitable for internal memorization but less effective for the reader who encounters multiple stories sharing the same structure, koans, and lessons.
One thing that annoyed me was that the students constantly screeching "KATZ" never seemed to show a sense of true understanding; it felt like imitation. They appeared to say what the teacher wanted to hear, which often involved strange or pre-fabricated answers lacking cognitive effort—an echo chamber.
Telling everyone the answer to a difficult math question does no good without the preceding steps or the process through which enlightenment was achieved. Seuyung Song does not remedy this in his book; no clear answer or steps are provided. While he has seen the top of the mountain and is eager to share insights, how to get there or see it for yourself is nowhere to be found.
I'm certain he made more sense in person and speech. I've read plenty about teachers who spoke with profundity but only had a basic grasp of the English language. Therefore, while his teachings may be repetitive, simple, and unclear in the written word, I imagine he was quite the character to be around physically, and these ‘issues� were not issues at all in daily teaching. In the end, unfortunately, his wisdom and knowledge were lost on me within the pages.
Written and revised by myself along with a peer review by ChatGPT.
May 28, 2019
It is possible I don’t have enough background in Zen Buddhism to understand and appreciate this book.
I’ve studied other forms of Buddhism and meditation but Seung Sahn has a peculiar approach that really did not connect with me, but I imagine others may get a lot out of this book. In particular, for people like me, I find it much more effective to approach meditation with a very “gentle mind� � no judgement, no ”trying�, and particularly no admonishment when I inevitably slip in focus.
Seung Sahn’s approach feels much more prescriptive and effort-ful because he proclaims what is “good� and “not good� with such vehemence. I’m sure for the right person, this is exactly what is needed, to jolt you into action or a different frame of mind, but that mentality is actually where I started out, and spent years going down that path making no progress (heh, yes, back then I was attached to progress...).
The other frustrating thing about this book (and Seung Sahn’s teaching style?) is he always uses the same set of words and phrases to describe certain ideas. So if you don’t understand a phrase or an idea he’s trying to convey, there’s really no recourse because that’s all there is (... just like this 😜). And he repeats these words and phrases all the time, throughout the book. As he points out, words are poor substitutes for the meaning or the feeling or the truth of what they are conveying, so why not have multiple different ways of explaining a certain idea? Always explaining with the exact same phrases and examples just encourages rote memorization and thinking rather than true knowing.
As I said earlier, I think for some people this will be just the right approach and this book will really shift their mind on how they approach Buddhism, but alas, perhaps I am too closed off but it is not for me. I see other ways to get there that speak to me much more clearly.
I’ve studied other forms of Buddhism and meditation but Seung Sahn has a peculiar approach that really did not connect with me, but I imagine others may get a lot out of this book. In particular, for people like me, I find it much more effective to approach meditation with a very “gentle mind� � no judgement, no ”trying�, and particularly no admonishment when I inevitably slip in focus.
Seung Sahn’s approach feels much more prescriptive and effort-ful because he proclaims what is “good� and “not good� with such vehemence. I’m sure for the right person, this is exactly what is needed, to jolt you into action or a different frame of mind, but that mentality is actually where I started out, and spent years going down that path making no progress (heh, yes, back then I was attached to progress...).
The other frustrating thing about this book (and Seung Sahn’s teaching style?) is he always uses the same set of words and phrases to describe certain ideas. So if you don’t understand a phrase or an idea he’s trying to convey, there’s really no recourse because that’s all there is (... just like this 😜). And he repeats these words and phrases all the time, throughout the book. As he points out, words are poor substitutes for the meaning or the feeling or the truth of what they are conveying, so why not have multiple different ways of explaining a certain idea? Always explaining with the exact same phrases and examples just encourages rote memorization and thinking rather than true knowing.
As I said earlier, I think for some people this will be just the right approach and this book will really shift their mind on how they approach Buddhism, but alas, perhaps I am too closed off but it is not for me. I see other ways to get there that speak to me much more clearly.
July 3, 2022
This book’s one-hundred brief chapters mostly consist of interactions between the Korean Zen Buddhist teacher, Seung Sahn, and students of his. However, there are also some old Zen stories, and a few odds and ends: such as the transcript of a completely unproductive “dialogue� between Seung Sahn and a Hindu yogi. Some of the student-teacher interactions are epistolary, but others are face-to-face “dharma combat� or Q&A sessions (which also, ultimately, became dharma combat -- given Seung Sahn’s teaching methods.) Dharma combat is a dialogue that resembles Socratic dialogue except that the goal isn’t to use logic and sound reasoning to persuade another, but rather to demonstrate a lack of attachment and proclivity to overintellectualize. It involves a lot of seemingly nonsensical answers and occasional shouting and slapping / hitting. It sounds unproductive, but the objective is to break established cognitive modes and to induce epiphany, rather than to build a rational argument.
It’s a thought provoking and informative book, if a bit repetitive. Most of the conversation revolves around less than a dozen ko-an [kong-an in Korean,] which are questions or statements that’re intended to provoke a kind of realization rather than to produce a straightforward / rational answer. It’s not a problem that there’s repetition, as these aren’t straightforward ways of thinking, and oftentimes it takes many varied looks at a ko-an to grasp what’s being conveyed. That said, I felt this book could’ve used some editing to streamline the dialogue a bit to make it feel a bit less punitively redundant.
If you’re interested in ko-an and dharma combat, this is a great book to look into. However, if you’re familiar with many of the popular ko-an and Zen stories, it may feel a bit redundant.
It’s a thought provoking and informative book, if a bit repetitive. Most of the conversation revolves around less than a dozen ko-an [kong-an in Korean,] which are questions or statements that’re intended to provoke a kind of realization rather than to produce a straightforward / rational answer. It’s not a problem that there’s repetition, as these aren’t straightforward ways of thinking, and oftentimes it takes many varied looks at a ko-an to grasp what’s being conveyed. That said, I felt this book could’ve used some editing to streamline the dialogue a bit to make it feel a bit less punitively redundant.
If you’re interested in ko-an and dharma combat, this is a great book to look into. However, if you’re familiar with many of the popular ko-an and Zen stories, it may feel a bit redundant.
December 17, 2023
First zen/ Buddhism book I’ve read. I was confused for several “lessons�, as the dialogue or Q&A were seemingly illogical or irrelevant. Slowly the interpretations and meanings unfold themselves.
Answers are never outright or thoroughly explained. Although I desired this kind of explanation (a mathematical equation of sorts), it is appropriate as is.
The repetition built understanding and is improved by thought outside of reading. I still don’t know and could not explain, but I think that’s part of the point.
Answers are never outright or thoroughly explained. Although I desired this kind of explanation (a mathematical equation of sorts), it is appropriate as is.
The repetition built understanding and is improved by thought outside of reading. I still don’t know and could not explain, but I think that’s part of the point.
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January 26, 2021I guess I didn't understand anything substantial or meaningful yet from this book. I should read it again to understand the depth and meaning of it.
Until then, I can never rate this book.
Until then, I can never rate this book.
May 29, 2022
I think, therefore I am not zen.
April 7, 2020
I'm torn between whether to rate it 3, 4 or even 5. In some sense it's a truly brilliant book, deserving the highest regard, on the other hand it can be hard to follow and easy to misinterpret, easy to cast aside, worthy of mediocre score.
As a work of written word it's nothing spectacular, but as a method for showing the reader how think in a zen manner, it does its job better than any other book on the topic I've come across. Dropping Ashes on the Buddha doesn't really explain Zen, it's not a book that articulates concepts. The concepts involved could be told in a single paragraph. That's not the point of the book. In a subtle way, as the reader tries to wrap its brain around the stories told, the mind has to go through what are essentially mental drilling exercises. And indeed, somewhere in the middle the lessons start to make sense. In that light it's less a traditional book and more like a collection of drilling sessions similar to how one starts learning martial arts. You go through the actions, trusting the teacher, and somewhere in the middle an understanding emerges.
One difference I've noticed, having finished the book, is the fact that I'm now able to simply and easily quiet down or let go of the thoughts running through the head. I suppose this book helps form the habit. Whenever my mind is filled with chatter I just let it go and everything quiets down, all is "only like this". This definitely wasn't something I did before as a habit and it's a direct result of this book.
The last concept, or "level" of zen enlightenment the book talks about is something I feel like I missed. Maybe it requires more training but it didn't come to me. So perhaps if I read the book again in 10 years I'll rate it higher.
As a work of written word it's nothing spectacular, but as a method for showing the reader how think in a zen manner, it does its job better than any other book on the topic I've come across. Dropping Ashes on the Buddha doesn't really explain Zen, it's not a book that articulates concepts. The concepts involved could be told in a single paragraph. That's not the point of the book. In a subtle way, as the reader tries to wrap its brain around the stories told, the mind has to go through what are essentially mental drilling exercises. And indeed, somewhere in the middle the lessons start to make sense. In that light it's less a traditional book and more like a collection of drilling sessions similar to how one starts learning martial arts. You go through the actions, trusting the teacher, and somewhere in the middle an understanding emerges.
One difference I've noticed, having finished the book, is the fact that I'm now able to simply and easily quiet down or let go of the thoughts running through the head. I suppose this book helps form the habit. Whenever my mind is filled with chatter I just let it go and everything quiets down, all is "only like this". This definitely wasn't something I did before as a habit and it's a direct result of this book.
The last concept, or "level" of zen enlightenment the book talks about is something I feel like I missed. Maybe it requires more training but it didn't come to me. So perhaps if I read the book again in 10 years I'll rate it higher.
November 19, 2020
My review:
1. Katz!
2. If you read the book I will hit you thirty times, if you do not read the book I will hit thirty times
3. The sky is blue, the grass is green
1. Katz!
2. If you read the book I will hit you thirty times, if you do not read the book I will hit thirty times
3. The sky is blue, the grass is green
July 1, 2017
It's rare that I can't get through a book, but this one was just too lacking in any thoughtful vantage points. It's a series of letters between a Zen master and his students. There are countless stories but no story line. They mostly involve a student asking a question and a Zen master giving either a threat or confusing reply. There are also lessons like "The rocks in the stream and the tiles on the roof understand true emptiness" (so why don't you?). And there are some explanations about the nature of Zen masters. They could perform miracles of course, but they don't because that would remove peoples' opportunity for true understanding. I can only conclude people deem this content deep because it's novel and it gives open-ended scenario to contemplate and interpret. I found enough emptiness to last me for a while.
March 29, 2016
My review is with great attachment to the need for quality and the ability to understand its contents in a book. I was unable to get anything out of this book except for confusion. What is up with the hitting (as many reviewers have asked before me) and how is that in line with Buddhist teachings? This is a serious question. I am new to this quest for enlightenment. Perhaps I'm naive in my perception of Buddhism and that smacking people or threatening to smack them from simple inquiry is standard. Please tell me it's not.
June 1, 2017
This was a tough read, because many individual sentences and / or paragraphs don't make "sense". There are some core themes that shines through and this was valuable (enough so that I stuck around until the end of the book). And here & there, I did manage to stumble on inspiration and a broadened perspective.
There are many parts of Buddhism that resonates passionately with me and this won't be the last book I read on Buddhism. Overall though I think (making "that" mistake again) this book also made me realise that I'm not seeking enlightenment or pure Buddhism.
There are many parts of Buddhism that resonates passionately with me and this won't be the last book I read on Buddhism. Overall though I think (making "that" mistake again) this book also made me realise that I'm not seeking enlightenment or pure Buddhism.
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