My Heart is a Golden Buddha: Buddhist Stories from Korea Paperback – April 5, 2013

Profound, and based on traditional Korean culture. It needs some inner translation for modern westerners. Great for children. I enjoyed it at age 70.

Many good super short Bhudhist-based stories.

Each chapter offers practical reflection for today's trying times.

Wonderful short stories..........

A few years ago I was living in Korea and visited the Buddhist English Library of Seoul (BELS) near Jogyesa Temple in the centre of the city. I was looking for a book, any book really, on Korean Buddhism and there were hundreds to look through. But the only one that called out to me that day was a little book of stories, a children's book I thought at first, about monks and housewives, talking cows and poor scholars. My Heart is a Golden Buddha.Since then I've come back this book, now in a newer edition, many times. I have many Dharma books on my shelves, but many can feel dry and academic at times, not this. This is a fun read. The stories are sweet and timeless and really work as stories; they grab your attention, bring you into their world, and you want to see how things get resolved - or not! They are full of gentle humour too. I can't help but smile every time I think of the man carrying a sheep on his shoulders and the monks asking why he's got an elephant there!Each story is followed by an explanation of some of the deeper meanings within it, in the voice of someone you feel you can really trust, like a wise old, kind old, grandmother. I don't speak Korean, but if this books captures the authentic voice of the author then it is no surprise that Daehaeng Sunim is as widely respected in Korea as she is. These stories might come from a famous Zen Master, but they feel like an intimate late night conversation by the fireside.The theme running through them all is the theme of Daehaeng's teaching and of Korean Buddhism; reliance on the Golden Buddha of the title - the one that resides in our hearts. But that is just theory - let these wonderful stories bring it to life!Highly, highly recommended.

I have been a part of the Hanmaum Zen Center for quite a number of years. I have never tried of reading Kun Sunim's words. This book of wisdom has stories I am familiar with, and those that I am not. But, even hearing (reading) the stories and listening to the wisdom in the meanings never ceases to amaze me and make me think even harder of the fundamental mind. This is a must read for everyone - including those still in the womb.