Rice Bags & Woodpeckers

For many centuries after Wonhyo, Korean Buddhism experienced total oppression. Monks could not enter through the gates of Seoul, and Buddhist teachings entered a period of contraction.  Monks & masters retreated to the mountains.  Remote Zen communities formed, poor yet self-sustaining & rich in spirit. It is here, during the 19th century, we find our next two sister stories.  The first, a story of Kyunghuh & his young disciple Mangong. The second story finds Mangong, years later with his own young disciple, Wondam.  Many years later, Wondam became the teacher of our Detroit Zen Center Abbot.