Author: Chong Go Sunim

I can’t believe I forgot to mention this! We have a new Dharma talk by Kun Sunim on YouTube. This is pretty good one! In it she focuses on something that (rightly) often gets a bad rap – the ability of the intentions we give rise to.

The main idea is that this world moves and responds according to the thoughts we give rise to. If we keep thinking that the situation is a certain way, then those thoughts are like instructions to the lives that make up our bodies to move in that direction. This is why it’s so important to view things positively, even when it would be easy to take the negative view. Even when it would be easy to think of that perspective as more realistic.

The example I always give comes from my time at Korean Army bases: If the sergeant tells soldiers to get to the top of a mountain in 30 minutes, they take off running, not having any real doubt about getting up there. They likely expect it will be hard, and a few people might have problems, but they’re all going to be there.

If on the other hand, the sergeant says it’s too hard for them, that they can’t do it, then of course, the soldiers don’t even try. It’s the same way with the lives in our body.

Now, there are some limitations to this. Cause and effect play a role, as does my capacity to deal with even the good things that happen to me. There are so many reasons why I may not have a million dollars fall out of the sky. To do so might burn up all of my good karma, leaving me with nothing in the bank, so to speak. Would you trade your health or even life for money? Would you trade them for a new car?

More likely, those kinds of desires tend to be reflections of our discriminations and narrow viewpoints, and as such, they can’t easily connect with the energy of the whole. To connect with that, I have to let go of and entrust the intentions I’ve given rise to.

There are probably more aspects of this I should have addressed, so if you have a question, go ahead and ask in the comments.

with palms together,
Chong Go

Then from within the song of this flowing one mind,
this spring of the deepest wisdom,
great beings see that there is truly no dying or being reborn,
and from this place,
they raise great intentions that touch all life.
Thus, they come to be called “great beings.”

한마음의 소리는 두루 높아
모두 온 게 없기에 갈 것도 없이
그대로 대심大心 내어서 선지식이니라

This is a pretty good, short description of spiritual practice! Just keep gathering everything together into one. A lot of what else is said about spiritual practice is actually aimed at overcoming hangups, habits, and fixed ways of viewing things that get stuck stuck on.

But when it comes down to it, gather everything into one. Keep doing that, and everything else will become clear as you do that, and afterwards.

They gathered together everything under heaven into one,
until one day it burst forth,
and they realized its interconnected essence.

천하가 합하여 우뚝 솟아 공을 이루니,

Why “small”? It’s certainly not to look down on anyone, but I suspect it refers to those who haven’t realized their potential, their ability to embrace the whole.

When small beings gather and become true people,
become ripened people,
they are called teachers.

작은 생명들이 모여 큰사람 되어 늙었으니 스승이라

One mind,
where East and West are always one,
is manifesting in each and every moment,
ceaselessly shining forth the powerful light of wisdom,
ceaselessly transmitting the light of mind,
ceaselessly helping all beings to open their eyes.

동서가 둘 아닌 한마음의 찰나찰나 나툼은
지혜로운 마음에 광력의 밝음을 끝없이 밝히심이니
마음의 등불 전하여
눈뜨게 하사이다

I *think* this section is referring to Arhats, from a historical point of view, but I’m not completely sure. At any rate, it still applies to us, and our potential. It still describes what happens when we make diligent effort. It still reminds us of the all embracing nature of our foundation, and this connected energy we share, and can share, with everyone.

In this great one mind that embraces every place,
where body and mind are empty,
1,200 beings kept themselves clear and upright,
practiced without ceasing,
and so attained the great awakening,
the ultimate awakening,
and with the power of one mind,
share limitless compassion with the myriad beings of the world,
saving them all.

시방에 육신과 마음이 공한 한마음,
스스로 청정하게 끝없이 이루니
천이백 분이 모두 큰 한 경지를 이루시어
한마음의 능력으로 끝간 데 없이 무량한 자비를 베푸시니
일체 중생을 거두심이라

In this great one mind that embraces every place,
all are my parents, all are my brothers,
my sisters,
all are my disciples.

시방에 한마음은 내 부모 내 형제 내 제자 아님이 없고

With my whole heart,
I vow to brighten and follow my compassionate one mind,
my source,
limitless and endowed with everything.

제 마음을 다 바쳐서, 영원히 둥글어 끝이 없는 한마음 깊이 자부를 받들어 밝히니,

This is such a good verse! Recite it and let it just percolate down within you, and see how you feel.

This fundamental mind is the great Bodhisattva,
that takes care of all beings,
both living and dead,
and my own body as well.

근본 마음은 일체 만물만생과 더불어 내 몸도 보살핌이니 보살마하살이니라.

There are probably *a lot* of nuances in this verse, but one of the most straightforward ones is that everything naturally loves this fundamental mind, because we are all connected to it. It is the source of us all. So every life and thing unconsciously feels drawn to it.

Everything venerates this fundamental mind.

일체가 마음 근본을 존경하며,