Freedom From Life and Death — Kwan Um School of Zen

All these years of training taught me that there is just a fine thread between life and death. When you attain “before thinking,” there is no life, no death. I joined the Kwan Um School of Zen and learned from Zen Master Seung Sahn’s teaching. He said that just to perceive life is life, and death is death, is not enough. One more step is necessary.

This step is how to use our situation and karma to help all beings. That is great love, great compassion, the great Bodhisattva way. That is our direction. So if we practice, then we can use – and even change – our situation and karma for ourselves, as well as for the people around us. If we are not practicing, then we will be controlled by our karma and situation. We have no freedom from life and death. This is the most precious teaching I ever received.

Check out a clip from the Kwan Um Zen Online Study Group, Who is it that is angry?