Seung Sahn Quotes

Powerful Seung Sahn for Daily Growth

About Seung Sahn

Seung Sahn (June 19, 1927 – August 31, 2004), born Kim Chong-Han in Korea, was a renowned Zen Master who played a significant role in introducing Zen Buddhism to the West. Known for his unique teaching style, he was affectionately referred to as "The Sword of Dharma." Seung Sahn's journey began during the Japanese occupation of Korea, where he was born into a Buddhist family. At the age of 13, he left home and entered Songgwangsa Temple to become a monk. After years of rigorous study, he traveled extensively throughout China, India, and Southeast Asia, eventually receiving dharma transmission from his master, Zenzai Shibayama, in Japan. In 1972, Seung Sahn immigrated to the United States and founded the Providence Zen Center in Rhode Island. Over the next three decades, he established over a hundred Zen centers across North America, Europe, and Asia. His teachings emphasized direct personal experience over intellectual understanding, and he was known for his bluntness and humor. Seung Sahn's major works include "The Compass of Zen," "Only Don't Know," and "Drops of Water." These books reflect his unique approach to Zen meditation and offer practical guidance on the path to enlightenment. His teachings continue to inspire Zen practitioners worldwide. Seung Sahn passed away in 2004, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence Zen Buddhism globally. His profound wisdom, humor, and unconventional teaching style have made him one of the most influential Zen masters of the modern era.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Don't think, don't imagine, don't remember."

This quote by Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and living in the present moment. "Don't think" encourages us to avoid mental distractions, ruminations, or judgments about past events or future possibilities. "Don't imagine" suggests we should let go of any fantasies or expectations about how things should be. Lastly, "don't remember" means to release ourselves from the weight of our memories, both positive and negative, so as not to be held back by them. Essentially, the quote calls for a focus on the here and now, which is key to finding inner peace and enlightenment in Zen Buddhism.


"Everything you think, you make."

This quote by Zen Master Seung Sahn emphasizes that our thoughts shape our reality. It suggests that whatever we think about or focus on, we effectively create in our lives. If we dwell on negative thoughts, we may manifest negative experiences; if we think positively, we can bring positive outcomes into being. It's a reminder of the powerful influence of mindset and thought patterns on our lives.


"If you want to realize Original Face, you must forget your body and your mind."

This quote by Seung Sahn emphasizes the importance of transcending one's physical and mental limitations in the pursuit of self-realization or enlightenment in Zen Buddhism. The phrase "forget your body and your mind" suggests letting go of egoistic attachments, desires, thoughts, and preconceptions to perceive reality as it truly is - without distortion or illusion. Essentially, this quote underscores the idea that true self-awareness can only be achieved by detaching oneself from the illusory sense of self constructed through personal experiences and beliefs, allowing one to connect with their authentic nature - the Original Face.


"When you have a problem, the best thing is not to do anything about it, but to go straight ahead and let time solve it."

This quote suggests that sometimes, the most effective approach to resolving problems isn't immediate action, but rather patient endurance and allowing time to work its course. It encourages individuals to continue moving forward in life while trusting that the problem will eventually resolve itself, fostering a sense of calmness and perspective during challenging times.


"When the student is ready, the teacher appears."

This quote by Korean Zen master Seung Sahn suggests that when an individual has reached a point in their personal growth where they are genuinely seeking wisdom or guidance, the appropriate mentor or source of knowledge will present itself. It implies a natural alignment between the student's readiness to learn and the arrival of the right teacher at the right time. This idea can be applied both metaphorically to personal development and literally to the educational journey we all embark upon throughout our lives.


American dog say, 'Woof, woof.' Korean dog say, 'Mung, mung.' Polish dog say, 'How, how.' So which dog barking is correct? That is human beings' barking, not 'dog' barking. If dog and you become one hundred percent one, then you know sound of barking. This is Zen teaching. Boom! Become one.

- Seung Sahn

Boom, Hundred, Correct, Korean

Perceiving your own voice means perceiving your true self or nature. When you and the sound become one, you don't hear the sound; you are the sound.

- Seung Sahn

Nature, Voice, Means, True Self

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. They can live 500 years and not get sick. Keeping their bodies for a long time is possible; even flying in the sky is possible.

- Seung Sahn

Mountains, China And India, Diabetes

Correct meditation means correctly understanding your situation moment by moment - what are you doing now? Only do it! Then, each action is complete; each action is enough. Then no thinking, so each moment I can perceive everything just like this.

- Seung Sahn

Doing, Your, Correct, Complete

Meditation means keeping one mind. You must understand - what is life? What is death? If you keep one mind, there is no life, no death. Then if you die tomorrow, no problem; if you die in five minutes, no problem.

- Seung Sahn

Mind, Die, Means, No Problem

I always try meditation. Meditation means always keeping one mind, not-moving mind.

- Seung Sahn

Mind, Always, Means, Meditation

Human beings understand too much.

- Seung Sahn

Too Much, Understand, Too, Human Beings

When reading, only read. When eating, only eat. When thinking, only think.

- Seung Sahn

Think, Only, Read, Eating

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