Kusan Sunim

Avalokitesvara. Said to have been excavated in Kyongju, Korea. Unified Silla Dynasty, 8th century. © Tokyo National Museum

What is your original nature prior to the manifestation of space? Master Kusan

By Buddhism Now on 16 March 2018 • ( 0 )

Again, let me explain about the path walked by the ancients.

Sutra Box with Dragons amid Clouds, China, Ming dynasty, Yongle period (1403–24) © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Snatching the Whiskers of a Dragon, by Master Kusan

By Buddhism Now on 9 December 2016 • ( 0 )

We keep on working. If we can continue in this manner for one to three weeks, suddenly our mind and truth will mesh; we will understand the cause and conditions of the big matter…

Chinese Lion, Hanabusa Itchō (Japanese, 1652–1724), © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A moment of realisation, by Diana St Ruth

By Buddhism Now on 5 March 2016 • ( 4 )

A moment of realisation about the way we operate in the world can open doors in our mind for the light to come in and bring insight. It may cause us to cringe a bit when we reflect on how we’ve been in the past, a very uncomfortable feeling. On the other hand…

The Illusion of Attainment, by Kusan Sunim

By Buddhism Now on 13 January 2016 • ( 2 )

In the course of one’s practice it is as though one has to take hold of the hua-t’ou [Koan] two or three times anew. At the stage of emptiness when nothing at all appears, one clings to the emptiness. Likewise, at the stage of vivid quiescence and the emergence of the brilliant spiritual light, one clings to this brilliant light…

#endangeredarchives, British Library #endangeredarchives project

Solely from the Mind, by Kusan Sunim

By Buddhism Now on 15 April 2014 • ( 0 )

If someone practises in this way, then whether walking, standing, sitting, lying, talking or not talking, in the midst of activity or nonactivity, the hwadu (Koan) will be always vivid…

Have You Awakened? by Kusan Sunim

By Buddhism Now on 5 March 2014 • ( 0 )

For the ninety days of this winter retreat people from nine different countries have gathered here. The times and seasons of all countries are not the same. Thus when it is winter here, it is summer elsewhere; and when it is daytime here, it is night-time elsewhere.

North, south, east and west being void, they form a single house.

One Door by Kusan Sunim

By Buddhism Now on 9 March 2013 • ( 0 )

Sometimes, while practising, it is as easy as pushing a boat over ice. At other times it is as difficult as trying to drag a cow to a well. Thus at times it goes well and at times it does not. However, when it is going well, do not be pleased. For then you will succumb to the demon of joy. And when it is not going well, do not be upset. For then you will succumb to the demon of sadness…