hoshik@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu (03/02/91)
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BOOK REVIEW::
from International Buddhist Newspaper "DHARMA GATE",
vol.1, No.1, January,1991.
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Book Title::"Teachings of the Heart"
Ed. by Ryushin Sarah Grayson, Dai Shin Press:
Occidental, CA, 1990. 159 Pages.
....[Beginning of the quotation]................................................
This remarkable little book offers a great gift to the western world,
by presenting the first collection of teachings by Korean woman Zen Master
"Tae Heng" Se Nim. For those of us encountering Tae Heng Se Nim for the first
time, each page is a wonder and a delight. As I read, I found myself
thinking, "I'm so glad she has come here among us!"
The book is divided into several sections, introducing different facets
of this remarkable Buddhist teacher. Book I contains a series of
essays/teachings which are remarkable for their clarity and insight.
Book II is called 'Record of Words Spoken', and is made up of short and
pithy statements taken from Tae Heng Se Nim's dharma talks, stories and
conversations. I wanted to mark all of them as ones to come back to and saver.
This section also contains delightful pages of short stories and anecdotes
from Tae Heng Se Nim's disciples.
Book III is a fascinating biography of Tae Heng Se Nim and begins to
convey just how unusual and multifaceted this woman is, and what a life she
has led; Zen Master, shamaness, healer, forest ascetic and citizen of the
world. What is even more importent, her life truely embodies her teachings.
Following is a short piece called Witness written by Un Soo Lee,
a Korean Buddhist layman, about the six years he spent as a young man
devoting himself to serving Tae Heng Se Nim at Sangwon-sa temple. It is
moving because of its utter straightforwardness and the enormous respect
and admiration that is so clearly present. Following this is an interesting
account of the daily routine at Han Ma Um Zen Center in Korea by another
student, Hae Bong Se Nim.
The book concludes with a brief historical overview of Korean Buddhism
and a very helpful glossary. Scattered throughout are pictures of Tae Heng
Se Nim with her disciples and the Han Ma Um Zen Center that she founded.
At the very end of the book is a photography of Tae Heng Se Nim, so tiny,
standing beside President George Bush; yet there is no doubt in my mind
who is the bigger being. It gives one hope in this unsetting time. We are
most fortunate that Tae Heng Se Nim is now becoming accessible to the world.
By Lisa Faithorn, Ph.D., Director of the Social and Cultural Anthropology
Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies., San Francisco,
California, Cultural Anthropologist, Deep Ecologist and Organizational
Consultant.
'Teachings of the Heart' by Tae Heng Se Nim is available for $10.00 by
writing or calling the One Mind Zen Centers,
3400 El Camino Real #9, Santa Clara, CA 95051 (408)247-0179
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(*)The DHARMA GATE can be obtained by writing or calling to:
DHARMA GATE
Box 360
Crestone, CO 81131
(719)256-4904
(*)The posting was made by the Korean Buddhism Study Group,
a student organization at the Ohio State University,
Columbus, Ohio. Anybody who is interested in the details
about our organization, Tae Heng Se Nim or Han Ma Um Zen Centers
in U.S.A. may send a mail to:
chou@RCGL1.ENG.OHIO-STATE.EDU or
hoshik@MPS.OHIO-STATE.EDU
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