A major figure in the transmission of Zen to the West, Zen Master Seung Sahn was known for his powerful teaching style, which was direct, surprising, and often humorous. He taught that Zen is not about achieving a goal, but about acting spontaneously from “don’t-know mind.”. Seung Sahn Quotes - BrainyQuote You can fix your body, your heart, your diabetes. In Korea, China, and India, there are people who do yoga. They go to the mountains and do breath-in, breath-out meditation. Zen Master Seung Sahn also authored several books. The PZC and the Kwan Um School practice a unique form of Zen Buddhism interpreted by Seung Sahn that blends Korean and American aspects. In addition to its daily schedule, the center holds numerous one-, two-, and three-day retreats and intensive biyearly winter and summer retreats called Kyol Che. This is a problem that Zen Master Seung Sahn is fond of posing to his American students who attend 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.

Seung Sahn Soen-sa

We dedicate this booklet to Zen Master Seung Sahn. It is a tribute to his teaching, a tribute to his relentless efforts to help us to see the way and consequently to help others. I can see him now, straightening the cushions, correcting our chanting, encouraging us to go on as many retreats as possible. How many times did I hear him shout, “Time will not wait for you! Nobody guarantees your life!”
He also always said this practice is “not only for me.” Learning the forms, attending retreats, staying in close contact with your guiding teacher are the foundations of our practice. Let us never assume we already understand this. I trust we will all continue to bow very deeply to Zen Master Seung Sahn’s memory and to his instructions.
It is not a coincidence that the sutras and other suggested readings are in the last section. This rich tradition insists on live speech, direct understanding: “A special transmission outside the sutras.” A slow cultivation and understanding of the teachings of past teachers can be skillfully used to touch the hearts and minds of our wide sangha.
This manual is offered to you. Use it well. Know when to open it, know when to close it. Try, try, try, for ten thousand years, non-stop. – Zen Master Soeng Hyang, School Zen Master
Dharma Teacher Training Guidelines booklet (PDF).