Kobong Gyeong Soensanim
77th Ancestor, Jogye Order
(1890 - 1961)
Zen Master Kobong was Zen Master Seung Sahn’s teacher. He became a monk at an early age at Namjasa, and later attained enlightenment while sitting Kyolche at Tongdosa. Kobong Sunim was famous for his wild behavior and heavy drinking. He also refused to teach Korean monks, calling them arrogant, preferring only to teach nuns and laypeople. Until he met Sŭngsan Sŭnim, Zen Master Kobong had never given Inga to any monk.
After getting enlightenment, Seung Sahn Sunim went to check his attainment with Zen Master Kobong, who was renowned for being one of the fiercest keen–eyed masters of his generation. Kobong sŭnim tested his student with many difficult kong’ans, all of which the young Seung Sahn Sunim passed with ease. Zen Master Kobong finally stumped him with the Kongan “The cat eats mouse food, but the cat bowl is broken.” The two sat facing each other, eyes locked, for close to an hour, when suddenly Seung Sahn Sunim had a breakthrough and gave him the correct answer. Zen Master Kobong then said “You are the flower and I am the bee” and soon after gave Inga to the young Seung Sahn Sunim.
Kobong sŭnim spent his final days at Hwagyesa in Seoul, being cared for by his only Dharma heir, and eventually he passed away in 1962.
After getting enlightenment, Seung Sahn Sunim went to check his attainment with Zen Master Kobong, who was renowned for being one of the fiercest keen–eyed masters of his generation. Kobong sŭnim tested his student with many difficult kong’ans, all of which the young Seung Sahn Sunim passed with ease. Zen Master Kobong finally stumped him with the Kongan “The cat eats mouse food, but the cat bowl is broken.” The two sat facing each other, eyes locked, for close to an hour, when suddenly Seung Sahn Sunim had a breakthrough and gave him the correct answer. Zen Master Kobong then said “You are the flower and I am the bee” and soon after gave Inga to the young Seung Sahn Sunim.
Kobong sŭnim spent his final days at Hwagyesa in Seoul, being cared for by his only Dharma heir, and eventually he passed away in 1962.
