Buddha’s Teaching and the Bodhisattva’s Teaching

From a talk by Zen Master Seung Sahn, London, April 30, 1978

The letter we just read from Dropping Ashes on the Buddha was from a professor, and was very complicated: “I am a professor, I have this position, my position, etc.”  Sometimes having a good position is important, but if it is only for you, this position cannot help you. Also it cannot help other people. If this good position is not only for me, but only for helping other people, then this position is a great position.

It's like Kwanseum Bosal. Kwanseum Bosal doesn't want earrings, necklaces, beautiful clothes. These are not necessary. If you see pictures of the bodhisattva, they are beautiful, but this is not necessary. But everyone likes beautiful earrings, beautiful necklaces, beautiful clothes. They see the pictures and think, “Oh wonderful, I believe in this bodhisattva.” This mind appears. But Buddha's picture, you know, is nothing at all. Only simple clothes, simple face, no necklace, no earrings. So Buddha's teaching and the bodhisattva's teaching are different.

Buddha's teaching is only truth. But many people don't like Buddha's teaching. Why? Everyone has desire mind. So when someone is hungry, how does Buddha teach him? “You are hungry, but if you keep hungry mind, no good! Put it all down.” This teaching is not possible! First you must give the person food, then he will have enough-mind. Then you can say, “Where does this hungry mind come from? You eat a lot, this is no good. Not good for your body. If you eat too much when you're hungry you will hurt your stomach, so only eat a little.” First give the person food, then give correct teaching. This is necessary. If you say, “You are hungry. This is no good. Put it all down. Then you won't be hungry. Only drink water. For three days, five days, one month, this is possible. Why do you let desire mind appear?”  This is not bad teaching, but he will not listen. Nobody will listen.

So Buddha's teaching is the original, true teaching. But the bodhisattva understands all humans’ desire minds. Then he first satisfies these desires. Then next, cut: “Desire is no good!” So Buddha's teaching is only straight, only straight. The bodhisattva's teaching is always together teaching, together with human beings. So Buddha's teaching is only intellectual. The bodhisattva's teaching is first emotional, then intellectual. This is different. So when you are teaching someone, try this bodhisattva way.