The Purpose of Zen

Dharma Talk from 01/09/2013 with Zen Master Bon Soeng. We have Dharma talks every Wednesday evening at the Empty Gate Zen Center.
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[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

That's correct, there is "knowing" which is "not knowing" that is actually before thinking and belief, and that is most important. Nam Cheon once said, “The true way is not dependent on understanding or not understanding. Understanding is illusion; not understanding is blankness. If you completely attain the true way of not thinking, it is like space, clear and void."

[@japandata]

Wow. I think I really understand; can't put it into words, but understand. Thank you.

[@gary1251]

Zen Master Bon Soeng : Mucho Max Mahalo for your wisdom and clarity. Who has not noticed how distracted - from the moment - so many people are? Devices, food (that has been me, brother!), acquiring possessions, home improvement projects, searching for satisfaction from community events - they all distract, to a degree, from the present moment. Finally, the importance of deep and sustained body awareness (tight shoulders, poor posture, big and small pains/discomforts) is paramount. Eckhart Tolle has guided me beautifully. Simplicity is numero uno ! Gary in Hilo

[@ingot95]

This is an amazing teaching that helped me a lot, thank you

[@worthmoremusic]

brilliant remark or quoatation from DT Suzuki..."Enlightenment is making the unconscious, conscious" . Profound.

[@yehudahhachassid6191]

Om ! Gate Gate Para Gate ParaSam Gate Bodhi Swaha ! May all beings be happy ! Thank you for this wonderful and inspiring video on Dharma ! Shanti Priyam !

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

You are most welcome

[@saltyones]

Thank You

[@worthmoremusic]

2nd time listening to this talk.....absolutely loved this teaching...thank you so very much Master Bon Soeng _/l\_

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

You are welcome!

[@goranjovanovic1152]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@bodunchar]

We suffer because we define suffering and make it so through use of the word. Pretty fundamental really. If we defined it differently through learning and conditioning, we would create whatever we defined it as.

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

Opinions come from our thinking, they are not based on truth. So where does thinking come from? That is an interesting point.

[@WilliamJarrott]

It seems to be happening of its own spontaneously with no thinker thinking thoughts. It seems to arise out of the formless/nonlinear out of intention/desire to think.

[@japandata]

I would love for you to talk about right thinking and right action from the perspective of psychosis. How do we know we are not nuts? From many of your videos, you're basically saying that we find enlightenment by understanding the box we are in and opening the lid, but what if we "think" we understand the box and "believe" we see the lid, but in reality just remain in the box. I assume the answer (not knowing), but had to ask.

[@123marilao]

To be able to take the next breath is Zen enough for me; everything else is extra.

[@LionEntity]

***** then only breathing remains.

[@123marilao]

Which is enough. Again, everything else is extra.

[@doman362]

+123marilao Do you meant "to be able" or "to be aware of"?

[@vapourmile]

So where is Zen after you've taken your last breath?

[@LionEntity]

Crescendo It's where everything else is; right here. But in that moment, if you're aware enough of your next breath, you suddenly see it. It was always here and it shall always be here. Nowhere = now + here.

[@doman362]

Suffering comes from "Desires". Where "Desires" come from? From "Attachments" . Where "attachments" comes from? from "ignorance". I thought that was basic of Buddha teachings. Can a human be "desire free"? or did Buddha mean some special "desires"? Thank you

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

+Naghi Astnei Then ask, where does ignorance come from? You will eventually come to the place of Don't Know which is your true self.

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

You are welcome!! _/l\_

[@mariadelosangelesaguirre2852]

What is the title of the book that he used?

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

Compass of Zen

[@joakimdernebo8400]

How much do you practice the eightfold path in the Zen tradition?

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

If you practice Zen and use Zen in everyday life, you will see the eightfold path.

[@bodunchar]

It has been suggested that thinking exists as a side effect of the development of language in a social context. Specifically the ability or need to communicate concepts or ideas to others. We dont really need to communicate these ideas to ourselves, although we do. Obviously language exists to communicate with others. I dont see how we can create a vocabulary to communicate on an individual basis in complete isolation to others.

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

Language is not a problem, just attaching to it is. Language can point to something. First, attain the point before words and speech, then use words and speech to help others.

[@vapourmile]

+Empty Gate Zen Center But if you know the mind before speech and numbers, how can you use words without deceiving people?

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

May I help you?

[@vapourmile]

I wouldn't mind a cup of tea!

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

Would you like honey with that?

[@trapper1511]

it still doesnt help

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

_/l\_

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

You are welcome! _/l\_

[@EmptyGateZenCenterBerkeley]

_/l\_