No River to Cross

Book

It is often said that enlightenment means “crossing over to the other shore,” that far-off place where we can at last be free from suffering. Likewise, it is said that Buddhist teachings are the raft that takes us there.

In this sparkling collection from one of the most vital teachers of modern Korean Buddhism, Zen Master Daehaeng shows us that there is no raft to find and, truly, no river to cross. She extends her hand to the Western reader, beckoning each of us into the unfailing wisdom accessible right now, the enlightenment that is always, already, right here.

A Zen (or seon, as Korean Zen is called) master with impeccable credentials, Daehaeng has developed a refreshing approach; No River to Cross is surprisingly personal. It’s disarmingly simple, yet remarkably profound, pointing us again and again to our foundation, our “True Nature”—the perfection of things just as they are. (Source: Wisdom Publications)

Citation	Daehaeng Sunim. No River to Cross: Trusting the Enlightenment That's Always Right Here. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2007.

Forewordix
Editor's Introductionxi
A Brief Biography of Daehaeng Kun Sunimxiii

PART ONE: PRINCIPLES
Chapter 1: Fundamental Questions3
- Who Am I?3
- What Is Buddha?4
- What Is Buddha-nature?5
- What Is Buddha-Dharma?6
- What Is Buddhism?6
Chapter 2: Eternal Truth9
- Hanmaum9
- Juingong10
- My True Reality12
- Non-Duality15
- Cause and Effect16
- The Principle of Evolution19
- The Essence of Truth22
Chapter 3: Mind and Science25

PART TWO: CULTIVATING MIND

Chapter 4: The Essence of Mind31
- What Is Mind?31
- The Profound Ability of Mind33
- The Thoughts that We Give Rise To34
Chapter 5: Belief Is the Key39
Chapter 6: Entrust and Observe41
- Entrust and Let Go of Everything41
- How to Let Go47
- The Virtue and Merit of Letting Go49
- Unceasing Practice51
- Gwan (Observing)56
Chapter 7: Enlightenment59
- The Path to Awakening59
- Seeing Your Inherent Nature60
- Becoming a Buddha62
- Nirvana63
- The Middle Path64
- The Virtue and Merit of Awakening65

PART THREE: APPLYING THE PRINCIPLE OF ONE MIND
Chapter 8: The Essence of Buddhism Lies in Applying and Experiencing69
Chapter 9: Practice in Daily Life71
- Life Itself Is Dharma71
- Handling Difficulties and Suffering72
- Illness73
- Money and Prosperity75
- Family76
- True Love78
- Happiness and Harmony78
Chapter 10: Religion and Daily Life81
- Teachers and Learning the Path81
- Bowing82
- Keeping the Precepts84
- Sutras85
- Reciting the Buddha's Name and Chanting Sutras87
- One With Your Ancestors87
- True Giving89
- Fate and Destiny90
- Believing in Outer Powers91
- Religious Conflict92

Glossary93
A Note about the Current Text99
Notes101