Wake Up and Laugh!

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,

This is an interesting verse. The “only” might be a touch too far, but still, it seems to be the point that you have to want to find it, to know it, in order to do so. If you aren’t raising the intention that you want to know this for yourself, even if you do encounter it, you would just slide by, I think. Raising the intention puts things in motion, in my experience. It’s the difference between just sitting someone being thirsty, half wishing you had water, and actually getting up to get some. Or to at least ask someone nearby for some water. If you don’t ask, they’d never know you were thirsty. Give rise to a firm intention, and then let it deeply sink down within you.

This foundation of ours,
is found only by those who cherish its fragrance.

마음의 근본은 근본을 존경하는 마음속 깊이 계시기에

With the compassion of one mind,
our inherent foundation sees everything in the world,
looking after it all, quietly vowing to save all beings.

한마음의 자비로
세상을 관해보시며
말없이 보살피시어
대원을 세음도 마음의 근본이라,

This wisdom of one mind,
with no barriers of learning nor material limitations,
taking care of everything far and wide,
is the Bodhisattva of Manifestation, just as it is.

한마음의 지혜는
글 문이나 벽이 없이 보살피는 대행을 두루한 보현 보살이니,

With my whole heart,
I vow to be present in the world, and with all embracing wisdom,
will realize the truth that is ever present.
Thus awakened,
a single thought raised from my foundation can free whomever I encounter.
This is manifesting the Dharma.

제 마음을 다 바쳐서
이 세상에 사람으로 걸림없는 지혜로
온 누리에 항상한 진리를 통달하여,
한 생각에 일쳬를 제도하시니 달마야중 이니라.

With my whole heart,
I vow to remain calm and unstained by whatever confronts me,
taking care of it all while leaving behind no traces of myself.
This is fulfilling the role of a Buddha.

제 마음을 다 바쳐서
시방 삼세 주인으로 걸림없는 침착한 지혜로
온 누리에 항상하여 함이 없이 떳떳하니 불타야중 이니라.

We followed the Thousand Hands Sutra and the Heart Sutra for quite a while, reciting a verse every day, because they seemed like good intentions to input. In reciting them, they become instructions and guides to our consciousness as well as all the lives that make up our bodies.

Yet more than ever, it seems like we all need a bright consciousness if we are to go forward in the world today. So after some reflection, I decided to start over with key parts of the morning ceremony. In particular, the sections called “The Seven Homages,” and “the Morning Blessing.” A couple parts get really long, so I’ll break them up into smaller chunks.

I’m not sure how long it will take to post these, but I’ll put them up one verse at a time, Monday-Friday. (I’m skipping weekends so people don’t get overwhelmed with emails!) Try to read each verse three or more times, just so that it really sinks in.
with palms together,
Chong Go

With my whole heart,
I vow to be the loving guide and teacher of all beings, throughout all realms.
The foundation within me is my teacher,
and is none other than Shakyamuni Buddha.

제 마음을 다 바쳐서 삼계의 길잡이로 사생 자부 하리이다.
지금 나의 근본은 바로 나의 스승이니 석가모니불이라.