American dog say, 'Woof, woof.' Korean dog say, 'Mung, mung.' Polish dog say, 'How, how.' So which dog barking is correct? That is human beings' barking, not 'dog' barking. If dog and you become one hundred percent one, then you know sound of barking. This is Zen teaching. Boom! Become one.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the notion that understanding transcends language and cultural differences; true understanding comes from a deeper, unified experience.
This quote by Seung Sahn illustrates a core principle of Zen teaching: that reality and understanding go beyond mere words or sounds. It suggests that the true essence of communication, whether in relation to dogs barking or human interactions, lies in a deep connection that is felt rather than articulated. By indicating that the sounds attributed to dogs vary by culture, he points out that these are constructs of human perception—yet when one emerges into a state of oneness with another being, the true 'barking' or essence can be felt and understood without language. This understanding encourages one to seek unity and deeper comprehension in all aspects of life.
In practice
In a mindfulness workshop discussing the importance of presence and understanding.
Correct meditation means correctly understanding your situation moment by moment - what are you doing now? Only do it! Then, each action is complete; each action is enough. Then no thinking, so each moment I can perceive everything just like this.
As with all journeys, the Way has an end, though it should not be imagined as a straight road leading to a fixed destination but rather as a majestic mountain whose peak conceals the presence of God. There are, of course, many paths to the summit-some better than others. But because every path eventually leads to the same destination, which path one takes is irrelevant.
I've discovered I've got this preoccupation with ordinary people pursued by large forces.
A person may be greedy, envious, cowardly, cold, ungenerous, unkind, vain, or conceited, but behave perfectly by a monumental act of the will.
Freedom suppressed and again regained bites with keener fangs than freedom never endangered.
Armaments, universal debt and planned obsolescence - those are the three pillars of Western prosperity.
There is a great deal of pain in life and perhaps the only pain that can be avoided is the pain that comes from trying to avoid pain.
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