Customer Reviews

Going Beyond Buddha (Tuttle Library of Enlightenment)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Who would have thought that Kentucky would be the home to such a wonderful Zen teacher? It is an almost surrealistic testament to the profoundness of this 2500 year old teaching that it should take root and then present us with such a beautiful flower in the midst of Appalachia. Go figure. This book presents genuine, traditional Zen teaching, but without being stuffy or using lots of "zen talk". One of Zen Master Dae Gak's real accomplishments is the avoidance of jargon - his message is always fresh and thoughtfully presented. A significant part of the book takes up a number of Zen "koans". The author weaves these koans together into a tapestry that reveals much of the human and earthy character of the Zen tradition. All too often these koans are dealt with as metaphysical conundrums, or mere riddles, but the author uses these stories to point to our own Buddha nature, and, as the title implies, beyond. In a day when "Zen" has become just another pop-culture buzzword, this book gives anyone who's interested a chance to learn about the real deal.

Zen Master Dae Gak writes with carity, wisdom and compassion. His teaching on listening is most profound and offered with humility and generosity. Zen Master Dae Gak has given his life to helping others and this book points the way for us to take up his vow. Listen, listen, and listen. With his gentle pointers he teaches that the very practice of listening itself is the way of the compassionate ones and frees one from all suffering so that one can help others. I highly recommend this book.

This has been a very valuable book for me! The real life stories of Zen Master Dae Gak bring this often esoteric teaching to life. The greatest gift of this book is that it shines a light on one's own experiences as life's best teacher. As a pianist listening is central to my life. This book brightened what I found I had always known intuitively and used in my profession. Zen Master Dae Gak's teaching has encouraged me toward a deeper exploration of listening as a path to Truth.

The range of reviews for this book is staggering. Everyone has his/her Yes or No. I think the reviews are more of a reflection of a personal encounter with Dae Gak, or no encounter at all.

Is it any wonder the Buddha held up a single flower to shut everyone up. Going Beyond Buddha is simple and straigtforward just like that moment. Apparently to some it is not. We need caretakers of the Myth--people to keep the Word safe; and we need explorers of the Myth--people to step off the ten thousand foot pole and to see what happens. Sometimes people who listen to their own Mind and follow it are imperfect, even crazy. I would know.

I think Zen Master Dae Gak is one of those explorers who picked the flower from his teacher's hand and now carries it in his own human direction. Zen Master Dae Gak is a teacher whose practice takes him away from the conventional. I was his student for 12 years. I was one of his monks. I think his clear mind is reflected in this book, provided the reader will listen. And if your mind differs from his, what then?

Zen is what you make of it and it is best not to make anything. Now I travel to the South Bronx five days a week. I don't wear grey robes anymore. I sit across from murderers, thieves, child abusers and drug users. I'm not sitting cross legged anymore but I sit across from Buddhas still. I am trained in many forms of psychotherapy. When I get lost I return to one word: listen. Mostly I just listen because the things I hear have no solutions. I owe my teacher the single flower of listening.

Ten Thousand Crows
sit in a tree,
all talking at once
with one Mind.

Shut up
and listen.

Having listened to Zen Master Dae Gak in person, his book sounds like his voice. :) Very clear, easy to enter into and take hold of, but very profound too.

I found this book to be a refreshing look at Zen Buddism using practical life experiences as helpful examples. This book demonstrates how listening as a Zen practice is effective in every aspect of our lives. The path to enlightenment is a very difficult one and Zen Master Dae Gak's book is a helpful stop along the way.

Zen Master Dae Gak applies his clear teaching style to the specific subject of listening, but his teaching is really for all aspects of one's life. His gentle yet firm style makes for a pleasant read as well as strong life-teaching. He conveys many of the basic teachings of the Kwan Um School of Zen in a fresh style, without weighing it down with academic or overly-philosophical discussions.

Zen Master Dak Gak's book. Good? Bad? Attach to opinion and you fall into hell. What can you do?

Three crows in a tree. Caw. Caw. Caw.

I had the chance to sit a couple of times with Bob and spent time with his teacher, Soen sa nim. Bob's karma is a western educated therapist. He didn't write this book naked of this karma. Books not withstanding, Bob and Soen sa nim, deferred to as an "older brother" by virtually every Zen master in the U.S., are the real article.

Books are only a moment of thought - something everyone, including readers of this book should be aware of. If you attach to it in any particular way, you're missing the point.

Lacking in the fundamental understanding of a real Zen Master, Dae Gak, a.k.a. Dr Robert Genthner has brought another one among many dissapointing attemts at tutalage to the Sangha who, having no basis for comparison of true Zen Master, find it par for the literary course on the teachings of Zen. Dr Genthners book "Going Beyond Buddha" is a trite recording of the verbage of his Masters teachings, Seung Sahn Sanim. Lacking in fundamental intents of Zen and Buddhism at large, Dr. Genthner's book is filled with non relevent anecdotal references to his mental health profession and exact quotes of his Master. His great personage and humanitarian efforts at large must be seen seperately from the man who has brought us this book purporting to be a true Zen Master. Like the innumerable others who have certification AS Zen Master but lack the understanding and wisdom of the genuine article, Dae Gak brings forth another book among those others looking for personal recognition as opposed to selfless assistance to those of us on the path looking for the Dharma and truly enlightened Masters for guidance.