The Compass of Zen (Shambhala Dragon Editions) [Paperback]

Seung Sahn (Author)

Book Description

Series: Shambhala Dragon Editions | Publication Date: October 28, 1997

The Compass of Zen is a simple, exhaustive—and often hilarious—presentation of the essence of Zen by a modern Zen Master of considerable renown. In his many years of teaching throughout the world, the Korean-born Zen Master Seung Sahn has become known for his ability to cut to the heart of Buddhist teaching in a way that is strikingly clear, yet free of esoteric and academic language. In this book, based largely on his talks, he presents the basic teachings of Buddhism and Zen in a way that is wonderfully accessible for beginners—yet so rich with stories, insights, and personal experiences that long-time meditation students will also find it a source of inspiration and a resource for study.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Zen Maste Sahn is the well-known director of the Kuan Um School of Zen. Active as a teacher in the West for 30 years, Sahn originally wrote this text in the 1970s, as a guide for students with an interest in the fundamentals of Buddhists teaching from a Zen perspective. Much of the Zen teaching with which Westerners are familiar has come from Japanese lineage, but this work has a fresh, Korean Zen slant. For an introductory text, however, Walpole Rahula's classic What the Buddha Taught (Grove, 1987) is probably better. A large part of this volume is given to transcriptions of talks, resulting in repetition and a lack of focus. Viewed as one person's heartfelt expression of his understanding of the teachings, however, this has much to offer. Recommended for academic and public libraries with extensive collections in the areas of Buddhism and Zen.?Mark Woodhouse, Elmira Coll. Lib., N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"An entertaining and even amusing survey of the varied flavors of Buddhism appears in The Compass of Zen, by Seung Sahn. Based upon his talks, this book presents the basic questions in many short, accessible chapters woven around anecdotes and dialogues. From the Four Noble Truths to the Five Human Dreams, this book seems to cover the whole mathematics of insight."—Michael Sims, Bookpage



"Like two arrows meeting in the air, this extraordinary book meets the mind point. Please relax and enjoy it."—Joan Halifax, author of The Fruitful Darkness

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (October 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570623295
• ISBN-13: 978-1570623295
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the compass of zen, January 7, 2000

By 

Nam s. Park - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Compass of Zen (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)

It is a hilarious book. It is written in easy and funny English and gives me a profound message to guide how l have to live in this complicated world. Seung Shan Sunim ephasizes many times that you must understand yourself first, and then use the enlightment to teach suffering all human beings. all suffering comes from your mind and your attachment to names and forms. Zen praictice is a techinque to clear your mind and to detach all names amd forms that we are attached and hindered to find your true self. the correct zen practice helps you empty your mind and leads you see who you are, where you came from, and where you are going, which there is no time and space. Time and space are created by your delusional mind, which you don't understand you and your situation are the same and one. The Great Love and The Great Compassion are the main message to practice zen. it is for something that you want, but someting for saving all suffering human beings. you must throw away "I". The I samll "I" cause you to attach names and forms. Seung Sahan Sunim's teaching is beyound religion,Buddism, but humanistic message, which guides me to think about my original questions for my existence.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, simple yet full of clarity and Wisdom, October 4, 2000

By 

"giovanni77" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Compass of Zen (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)

Zen master Seung Sahn is not a man of lecture, he could be your friend, or your brother. Representing the history, categorization and background of the different flavors of Buddhism in such a simple yet insightful way, Seung Sahn is able to cut through the usage of scholar terminology and present the Wisdom in a clear-cut readable approach. Laughter and enjoying his life and dedication to Buddhism with a Korean background, he explains insights like Non-Self, Impermanence, Impurity, etc.. in an easy to understand way - using examples and stories from the ancient Masters as well.

Like Zen Master Seung Sahn would say: Don't think about buying it, Just do it!

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lot of medicine - don't let it become a disease, July 3, 2001

By 

Algernon D'Ammassa (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Compass of Zen (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)

Many of Zen Master Seung Sahn's western students are now fully authorized teachers in their own right, and it is interesting to note that they do not necessarily recommend this book to Zen students.

Not that COMPASS OF ZEN is not wonderful. The original outline, handwritten by Zen Master Seung Sahn for use by his students, touches on the central points of Buddhist teaching and practice. An eminent roshi once examined it and confirmed that this is all a student need study.

Yet Zen Master Seung Sahn always points the reader back to practice, practice, practice. This practical orientation is present in every one of these assembled talks. ZMSS clearly has a solid understanding of Buddhist sutras as well as non-literary Zen insight, and presents it in a clear, direct, straightforward teaching style. The book is also full of wonderful Korean stories and the Zen Master's own humor. Consistently, he will undercut the scholarly approach to Zen and exhort the listener to return to everyday life practice ("just do it") and a sincere vow to help all beings.

So, a thick book isn't necessary. At some public talks in America, when asked about this or that point in the book, Seung Sahn Sunim has even said, "Maybe book make mistake. Throw book away."