Seung Sahn: Try Try Try

Zen Master Seung Sahn wrote thousands of letters to his students, most of which concluded with a version of this sentence:

I hope you only go straight - don't know; try, try, try for 10,000 years non-stop; keep a mind which is clear like space, soon get Enlightenment, and save all people from suffering.

This summarizes his entire teaching, especially in its emphasis on try-mind.

Try, non-stop, for 10,000 years.

I went on my first long retreat in 1991 and one afternoon Zen Master Wu Bong came to give a talk. After the talk, he took a few questions. Someone asked, "What is the most important thing in Zen practice?"

I was a pretty new student and expected him to say something that seemed (and still seems) impossible, like "you must attain enlightenment" or "always keep a clear mind."

But, instead, he answered the question with one just word:  "Try."

I've never forgotten the power of that moment, contained in one three-letter word.

Just try.

When we bring try-mind to our life, Zen Master Seung Sahn's wonderful teaching phrases appear naturally, without effort.

May we together try, try, try - non-stop! Soon get enlightenment. And save all beings from suffering.

Comments

[bob]

These blogs have been overwhelming in their simplicity.
In "Golf In The Kingdom" the caddie tells the golfer "You think to much, and you try to hard".

[Suzanne]

I guess Yoda was wrong then!

("Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.")

[doug rogers]

Zen is trying.

[Steve]

Thanks Barry

[Barry Briggs]

Thanks, everyone!