Korean Zen: Summoning Earthbound Creatures

In Korean Zen temples, beginning at 6 p.m., monks or nuns play a series of percussion instruments to summon the world's creatures to practice. 

A cloud-shaped metal gong is struck to summon creatures of the air. A fish-shaped hollow log summons creatures of the water. A large drum is beaten rhythmically to summon all beings of the earth. And, finally, a large bell, struck with a wooden log, calls human beings to practice.

During my retreats in Korea, this was a favorite time of the day, both for the beauty of the sounds and the anticipation of the powerful chanting that would start at 6:30 p.m., following the last strike of the bell.

This Friday's video captures the wonderful drumming that occurs every evening. This drum, at Heinsa temple, is typically large and the monks strike it with skill and great energy. Please enjoy!

Thank you for reading Ox Herding. I hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Barry

Comments

[Val]

Wow.

That definitely summoned me.

[Alice]

Thank Barry, that was so powerful and artful. I regret not having experienced this first hand while I was there for...how long? 17 years! (I'll explain why in my future posts - something's about to come down regarding this).

Have a great weekend!

[Barry Briggs]

Hi Val - we can feel it in our bones, eh?

Hi Alice - yes, these guys at Heinsa are particularly skilled. But even the western monks at Hwagyesa were very good at this rhythm thing - something I ain't got, alas.

[Lauren]

It's cool how their core is relaxed and steady while arms fly through and around the rhythm.

[Barry Briggs]

Hi Lauren - yes, it's a wonderful thing to watch and whenever I've seen it, the monks appear to be having a great time! Who wouldn't?

[Kusa]

Hello! Thank you for posting this video along with the entire series of posts on Korean zen. I practice at the Ann Arbor Zen Temple, which is locally part of the Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom founded by Ven. Samu Sunim and globally part of the Korean Zen tradition. Your posts have been most informative and practice inspiring. Thank you!

And, recalling your earlier posts about having to sit in a chair rather than a mat and cushion, I have just had knee surgery for a torn meniscus and have been reading these from bed with knee high. Ah, the changing moment! Always a call to practice!

[Barry Briggs]

Hi Kusa - Thank you for your nice comment! I'm sorry to hear about your knee and hope it soon heals. I do hope that my injury won't require anything other than ice packs and kindness.

I've heard quite a bit about Samu Sunim - how wonderful that you train with his tradition! I'll continue with these posts next week.

[MyoChi]

Wow!! It was so beautiful, such artistry! I have a bad ear for music, cannot pick up a tune. Lately, I have been trainig to strike the han at my Zen center and it is a big challenge for me! The drumming in the video brought me sheer joy..:)

[Barry Briggs]

Hi Myo Chi - I can't imagine ever striking a drum in the ways that these monks seem to do - so effortlessly. But now you're learning - how wonderful!

[Uku]

Wow, great drumming indeed! Just watched this with my kids and they liked it a lot! Thanks, Barry!

[Marcus]

Hi,

Thank you! Great video! Great memories!

I used to sit in the hall at Bongeuensa every Saturday night with my Dharma brothers and sisters listening to drumming just like this as the hall filled up. Lay people would sqeeze in, the monks file in, the anticipation rise as the drumming prepared us all for the start of the service. Wonderful!

And Ikumi and I once sounded the drum at another, much smaller, temple one time just before the 6pm service. The nun there was showing us around and offered us the chance. But, mind you, it wasn't a different kind of drumming! One where you swing back a log to sound the drum, yet that was difficult enough! Just imagine what it takes to drum like the sunims in the video!

Thanks again, and all the best,

Seok Jeong/Marcus

[Marcus]

Correction: "But, mind you, it was a different kind of drummin!"

LOL

[Barry Briggs]

Hi Uku - I can imagine that kids would think this was pretty cool. I remember kids in Korea hanging around the bell pavilion, grooving on the groovy monks!

Hi Marcus - You and I have the same memories. Wow! I was offered the chance once to play the drum at Hwagyesa but declined on accounta having no rhythm. At least, that's what I tell myself. Really, these monks have a "just do it" mind - very wonderful to watch.

[Puerhan]

Wow, great! Love the handover, no beginning and no end... :-D

~gassho~

[Ted Biringer]

AWESOME!!!

Now that is a ZEN drummer! (Two actually! Ha!) This is not like the somber, equally timed boom-boom-boom drum that I have heard at Buddhist temples--these guys kick ^&$! I am pretty sure I caught some Led Zep Four Sticks in there, and a couple of Keith Moon riffs to boot!

This reminds me of Case 44 of The Blue Cliff Record: Kasan's I Know How To Beat the Drum

Kasan said to his assembly, "Study in practice is called 'hearing'; completing study in practice is called 'next door to truth.' Transcending these two, is called 'true transcending.'

A monk stepped forward and asked, "What is 'true transcending'?"

Kasan said, "I know how to beat the drum."

The monk asked, "What is the truth of reality?"

Kasan said, "I know how to beat the drum."

The monk asked, "I do not ask about, 'Mind is Buddha', What is, 'Not Mind, not Buddha'?"

Kasan said, "I know how to beat the drum."

The monk asked, "When an enlightenend person comes, how should we treat him?"

Kasan said, "I know how to beat the drum."

Thanks Barry--I love it - Those monks sure do demonstrate Kasan's truth. Ha!

Peace,

Ted Biringer

[jill]

Now there's a man who can chew gum and walk at the same time! (or whatever that saying is). left hand and right hand, together, different. Wow! Thanks,
jill

[Barry Briggs]

Hi Ted - Kasan inquisitor was a persistent fellow but the drumming fell on deaf ears. And, yes, those monks know how to beat the drum. I can see a "battle of the bands" brewing...

Hi Jill - Yes, Wow! That's enough, eh?

[Barry Briggs]

Hi Puerhan - Yes, the handover is seamless. A great example of "How can I help?" mind!