Author: Chong Go Sunim

I take refuge in one mind,
free of all forms and shapes
it is able to become anything.

없는 고로 큰 시방에 두루두루 한생각을 내시어서 (보살행을 하심같이
한마음에 귀의하리다.)

“How do you truly help people?” and “How do you have compassion on people behaving badly?” are two, not-minor questions. The answer is, you help them by becoming one with them through one mind. Then, to the extent that they are capable of it, the lives that make them up experience this ultimate wholeness, for lack of a better expression, and through it, gain a more harmonious view of the world. This may not translate to actions due to habits (of body and thought), but it’s still a push (a pull?) in the right direction.

Beating, pushing, and yelling rarely work at motivating people. Instead, become one with them through this foundation, and their stubborness will soften or completely melt away (as will yours!!) Like a giant ship changing direction, you may not see any noticeable movement, but it’s there. Have faith in this, and go forward trusting in your foundation.

I take refuge in one mind,
always protecting us,
it enriches us
and gives us the taste of the Dharma.

끊임없이 전 국민을 보호하며 맛과 이익 주시옵는 한마음에 귀의하리다.

“No beginning” sounds like it could mean, “no way to start it,” but what it really means is it’s always here. There’s no separate starting point existing someone where else. Right here, right where you are, everything is unfolding. You are in the midst of your path.

I take refuge in one mind,
it guides all life to the bright path,
which is neither longer nor shorter,
sooner nor later.

끊임없는 생명들의 줄어듦도 늘어남도 본래 없는
밝은 길을 인도하는 한마음에 귀의하리다.

I take refuge in one mind,
endlessly giving light to all.

끊임없이 만물만생 항상 비춰 주시옵는 한마음에 귀의하리다.

I take refuge in one mind,
with a single thought
transcending time and space,
it nurtures all.

시공 없는 한생각에 일체를 다 거두시는 한마음에 귀의하리다.

I take refuge in one mind,
which completely looks after all beings
throughout the world and universe.

우주 세상 일체 생명 자재로이 보살피는 한마음에 귀의하리다.

How’s everyone doing? Sitting tight and not too bored, I hope. May everything you need to survive and get through this winter fill your life.
with palms together,
Chong Go

I take refuge in one mind,
with all-embracing harmony
it saves all beings, everywhere.

둥그런 큰 마음을 내시어서 두루두루 건지시는 한마음에 귀의하리다.

The Korean used here for “just as it is” is one of my least favorite expressions to translate. It can also mean “suchness” or “thusness.” Which, in English, don’t convey much feeling or meaning. For me, the nuance here is of not needing anything added. Of being perfectly whole just as it is.

I take refuge in one mind,
remaining just as it is
it ceaselessly takes care of all things.

끊임없이 보살피며 여여하신 한마음에 귀의하리다.

I take refuge in one mind,
with a thousand hands
it ceaselessly takes care of all things.

끊임없이 천수로써 보살피는 한마음에 귀의하리다.

Remember to try to recite these a few times a day! When you wake up and when you go to sleep are ideal, but, really, whenever you have time or think of them is fine too.

I take refuge in Buddha and one mind,
which encompasses the endless universe
and all things with life and without.

끝이 없는 대천세상 유생 무생 부처님과 한마음에 귀의하리다.