Inspirational Quotes by Kusan Sunim (Korean Buddhist Priest)

Kusan Sunim (1909–83,) originally Gusan Suryeon, was a South Korean Zen Buddhist Master who dedicated his life’s energy to propagating Korean Buddhism.

Born in a small village in Mt. Jirisan in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do province, Master Kusan took over his family affairs after his father’s sudden death. After an unknown illness, he headed to Yeongwonsa Monastery on Mt. Jirisan and took up a 100-day practice of devotion to the Bodhisattva Gwaneum. At the age of 28, he accepted the precepts from Master Hyobong and became a novice monk at Songgwang-sa Zen Monastery outside Gwangju, Korea.

Later, as the patriarch of the Jogye-san Monastic Compound of the monastery, Master Kusan traveled, lectured, and presided over Zen retreats in North America and Europe. He taught to students from Sri Lanka, Singapore, England, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Germany, and the United States. He helped found temples around the world, including Goryeosa in Los Angeles in 1980, Bulseungsa in Geneva in 1982, and Daegaksa near Carmel, California.

Master Kusan’s philosophy emphasized questioning at the heart of the Koan practice of the Korean Zen Buddhist approach. His notable works are Seven Perfections (1975,) which brings Buddhism back into daily life, and Nine Mountains (1976,) a compilation of his dharma talks.

The Way of Korean Zen is a translation of his book of teachings Nine Mountains by two of his prominent disciples, Stephen Batchelor and Martine Batchelor.

READ: Works by Kusan Sunim