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Dropping Ashes on the Buddha: The Teachings of Zen Master Seung Sahn Paperback – February 18, 1994

by Zen Master Seung Sahn (Author), Stephen Mitchell (Compiler)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 494 ratings
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“Somebody comes into the Zen center with a lighted cigarette, walks up to the Buddha statue, blows smoke in its face, and drops ashes on its lap. You are standing there. What can you do?” This is a problem that Zen Master Seung Sahn is fond of posing to his American students who attend his Zen centers. Dropping Ashes on the Buddha is a delightful, irreverent, and often hilariously funny living record of the dialogue between Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn and his American students. Consisting of dialogues, stories, formal Zen interviews, Dharma speeches, and letters using the Zen Master’s actual words in spontaneous, living interaction with his students, this book is a fresh presentation of the Zen teaching method of “instant dialogue” between Master and student which, through the use of astonishment and paradox, leads to an understanding of ultimate reality.

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  1. Print length
    232 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Grove Press
  4. Publication date
    February 18, 1994
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0802130526
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0802130525
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Consisting of dialogues, stories, formal Zen interviews, Dharma speeches, and letters using the Zen Master's actual words in spontaneous, living interaction with his students, Dropping Ashes onthe Buddha is a fresh presentation of the Zen teaching method of 'instant dialogue' between Master and student that, through the use of astonishment and paradox, leads to an understanding of ultimate reality.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grove Press; Reissue edition (February 18, 1994)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 232 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802130526
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802130525
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 494 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Stephen Mitchell

    Stephen Mitchell

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    Stephen Mitchell was born in Brooklyn in 1943, educated at Amherst, the Sorbonne, and Yale, and de-educated through intensive Zen practice. His many books include the bestselling Tao Te Ching, Gilgamesh, The Gospel According to Jesus, Bhagavad Gita, The Book of Job, The Second Book of the Tao, The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, The Way of Forgiveness, and the forthcoming The First Christmas. He is also the coauthor of three of his wife Byron Katie’s bestselling books: Loving What Is, A Thousand Names for Joy, and A Mind at Home with Itself. You can read extensive excerpts from all his books on his website, stephenmitchellbooks.com.

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  2. Seung Sahn

    Seung Sahn

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
494 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining for those interested in Zen Buddhism. They appreciate the humor and pacing, which provides an insightful glimpse into Seung Sahn's sense of humor.

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ReadabilityPacingHumor
26 customers mention "Readability"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining. They appreciate the insightful descriptions of Zen teachings and mindsets. The cursing is humorous, and the scriptures, holy reading, and history are also mentioned as interesting. Readers mention it validates many of their existing teachings, making it a great addition to their collection.

"...Dropping Ashes on the Buddha' gives an excellent description of Zen teaching, and the mindsets that come with different levels of understanding..." Read more

"Very interesting read indeed... I found the intermittent cursing to be quite humorous...." Read more

"...THIS book is that stepping stone -- packed with stories, lessons, poems, letters and everything in between -- it's a great great book and not only..." Read more

"...It was ok." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing. They find it spiritually uplifting and insightful, providing a lovely glimpse into Seung Sahn's sense of humor.

"...I read them all. I'm going hiking tomorrow. Yet another pretty vista. Thank you." Read more

"...Kind, patient, and clear sighted. I believe his teachings would be good for anyone seeking affirmation and encouragement on the spiritual path." Read more

"I love this book. The stories are spiritually uplifting and provide a lovely glimpse into Seung Sahn's sense of humor." Read more

"Humorious and insightful......" Read more

6 customers mention "Humor"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find some stories funny, others puzzling, and it's an entertaining read with amusing writing style. The cursing is also a source of humor for some readers. Overall, the book is packed with stories, lessons, poems, and letters.

"...This book definitely needs to be reread. Some stories are just plain funny, some are puzzling, and some have a story to tell...." Read more

"...THIS book is that stepping stone -- packed with stories, lessons, poems, letters and everything in between -- it's a great great book and not only..." Read more

"...I found myself laughing quite a bit and breezed through the entire books with little effort...." Read more

"...I liked some of the silly stories but most of it is garbage." Read more

Great read, great quality book.
4 out of 5 stars
Great read, great quality book.
The quality of this book is good. This story is a simple understanding of the teachings of Buddhism.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amy L Reese
    5.0 out of 5 stars In this world, but not of it.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Comprised of over a hundred personal letters, lectures, stories and anecdotes, this book is arranged in small chunks that make it easy to set aside, and then come back to later, or devour all at once.

    'Dropping Ashes on the Buddha' gives an excellent description of Zen teaching, and the mindsets that come with different levels of understanding within the framework of Zen. It engages in active puzzle solving, using both ancient parables, humor and dharma speeches to convey how to use this puzzling to cut off thinking, and achieve a quieting of the mind. I give it five stars, because it gently explains, in plain English, some very subtle points of experience and understanding that have taken hundreds of masters many years to articulate. It is an enjoyable reading experience, despite the circular and repetitive nature of Zen teaching. I have read this book over and over, at different points in my life, and I have learned many things from it.

    I would recommend this book to beginners interested in Zen, and to people who have followed the path for a very long time. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in what Zen has to offer insofar as peace and the prospect of letting go are concerned.
    19 people found this helpful
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  • Jim Martin
    4.0 out of 5 stars I DON'T KNOW !!!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting read indeed... I found the intermittent cursing to be quite humorous. It's without a doubt - an entertaining, and mind boggling adventure. It makes you feel as if you're right in the classroom, getting smacked with Seung Sahn's stick.

    I'd be lying if I said I was able to figure out the various kong-ans, but I'm sure I'm not the only one (I wish there were answers to these riddles, BUT that's probably asking for way too much). However, I did notice that even though I didn't understand the kong-ans that certain things did make more sense as the chapters went on... So, by the end of the book, you have a slightly better understanding than you did at the beginning. This book definitely needs to be reread. Some stories are just plain funny, some are puzzling, and some have a story to tell. *It seems that every other page someone is getting hit hard, hahaha... It's a good thing that hitting is a sign of affection from student to teacher. I've never read a book even close to something like this - it makes you wonder how amazing this man was in person. I subsequently purchased another book from Soen-sa, "Wanting Enlightenment Is a Big Mistake". I want to see how this one fares as well.

    I'm hesitant to take a stab at this BUT, if I had to write something that I learned through these pages:

    Naturally scriptures, holy reading and their corresponding history are very important (so is growing up and learning all the necessary skills we need to survive in this crazy world). Additionally vital is at some point in our life, we have to stop thinking we know everything. Human beings today are at a point where we just think our way through life. We think we have an explanation for everything --- I think, I think, I think.... We forget our true nature of just feeling or experiencing `things as it is'. Instead of simply experiencing something right in front of our eyes --- we sit, stare, try to break it down and explain it all... With all of this going on, we fail to realize that this precious moment is fleeing from us... What should we do? We must drop everything - `put it all down' and realize these things staring us in the face, every second of every day. We have to lose our overactive mind, and just see with our eyes what is in front of us - appreciate it for what it is, and experience it for all it has to offer...

    I can honestly say that after reading this book: what I thought I knew - I DON'T KNOW...
    61 people found this helpful
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  • Todd Buster Paris
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Next Step On The Path
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    This book is great! - and is that next step after you're done with "intro" books

    I spent so much time reading "intro" books, and they've all been great - and I've been searching for that next level -- and I've either found books way to sophisticated for me - or that are transcripts of speeches/teachings

    Again, those are good - but I wanted a stepping stone

    THIS book is that stepping stone -- packed with stories, lessons, poems, letters and everything in between -- it's a great great book and not only teaches, but befriends --
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Ivan Contreras
    3.0 out of 5 stars A bit confusing
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A bit confusing the whole concept although at the end it all comes together a bit more coherently. It was ok.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • WeAreAllOne
    5.0 out of 5 stars OMG!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I've leaned more about myself from just the story of Chapter 6: A Child Asks About Death than any other Zen books. May I call this as a enlightenment?? ☺️💕
    Thank you Stephen, I love all your books!!❤️
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Tyson Davis
    5.0 out of 5 stars For Beginners and Not For Beginniers
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book many years ago. It was probably the 2nd or 3rd book about Zen I read. Up to that point I had not practiced zazen. When reading this book the first time, I had no idea what most of it meant. But something in it made me think this Old Korean Guy knew something I didn't. I have read this book many times since the first. I still have no idea what it means, but it keeps me on the zafu. Buy this book and do not lose it.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Taryn
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read, great quality book.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The quality of this book is good. This story is a simple understanding of the teachings of Buddhism.
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    Taryn
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Great read, great quality book.

    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
    The quality of this book is good. This story is a simple understanding of the teachings of Buddhism.
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    One person found this helpful
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  • Bal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Glad to have it on Kindle
    Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Dropping was one of my favorite paperback books from a long time ago. I needed space but didn't want to give up the book. What to do? I found the kindle version and decided to give it a try. It's very good to have it in a way that is so portable and easy to access. What a boon: Buddhism+21st Century technology. I can actually not be attached to my Kindle, lose it and still find Master Seung Sahn 5 minutes later. I wonder if he'd whack me on the head for this review.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Adnan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wunderbares Werk
    Reviewed in Germany on September 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Alles ist gleichzeitig wichtig und unwichtig. Muss man mal verstehen.
    Report
  • Chipolata
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very good product.
    Report
  • Araiaki
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantástico
    Reviewed in Spain on August 26, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Un libro muy difícil de encontrar. Incomprensible para los que no sean estudiantes de Zen Rinzai avanzado. Pero por otro lado genial. Recuerda los libros de los viejos maestros de Zen
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  • Goutham
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!!!
    Reviewed in India on June 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    there are around 100 conversation between the master and the students .. and every conversation says the same underlying theme.
    Some ppl might get bored .. No in depth concepts are covered. Good book to understand what Zen actually is...
    Report
  • Ale
    5.0 out of 5 stars Seon Teachings
    Reviewed in Italy on December 1, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    In this book there is a collections of the teachings of the Seon Master Seung Sahn, his lectures, his letters and his dialogues with his students. His words are of profound enlightenment but are also full of humor and joy for life. A very touching book and a must read for those interested in the Korean Zen (Seon).
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