The Family Tradition of the Sutong (Soto) Sect

With Zen Master Seung Sahn's Commentary

THROUGH EXPEDIENT MEANS THE FIVE POSITIONS ARE OPENED AND THE THREE CAPACITIES ARE WELLMANEUVERED.

Five plus three equals eight. Five plus three equals zero. Which one is correct? If you open the mouth I will hit you.

WITH THE PRECIOUS SWORD ALL THE WOOD OF THOUGHTS IS PRUNED AND A CLEAR THOROUGH WAY IS MADE CONNECTING TO EVERY CORNER, AND THUS ALL THE THINKINGS ARE WONDERFULLY CUT OFF.

Originally there is nothing, so how can one use a sword? Do not follow your shadow, Great Path has no gate. Sky is blue.

IT IS THE INFINITE LIGHT PRIOR TO THE BIRTH OF THE YIUM BUDDHA, AND IT IS THE SIGHT PRIOR TO THE CREATION OF NATURE.

Before Yium Buddha, before creation of nature and the present - how are these different? Be not deceived by the demon's show. An old monk is sitting and nodding under a pine tree.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE SUTONG SECT? PRIOR TO THE BIRTH OF BUDDHAS AND THE CREATION OF NATURE, IT DOES NOT FALL TO RIGHTNESS, PREJUDICES, BEING, NOR NON-BEING.

Before thinking, no Buddha, no Mind. Pierce through past, present, and future. In thousand rivers, thousand moons. With no cloud in sight the sky is clear.

SUTONG SECT