The Dharma Master Chongsan of Won Buddhism: Analects and Writings by Chongsan

Author:Chongsan [Chongsan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion, Buddhism, History, Sacred Writings, General
ISBN: 9781438440231
Google: Ru9JmAEACAAJ
Publisher: SUNY Press
Published: 2012-01-01T11:47:15.862848+00:00

VII

On Being Diligent and Truthful

1. Master Chŏngsan said, “Deluded people believe what appears as real but do not believe what does not. While they are absorbed in external glory, they are not even interested in searching for the internal truth. While they pay attention to even small increments of immediate gain and loss, they do not consider vices or blessings of the future; consequently, what they do falls into mere form and fabrication. Eventually, dancing with joy for daily false desires and greed, they fall into the pit of evil karma. How pitiful that is! We can learn from a fable. A deer loved her magnificent antlers but was ashamed of her ugly looking legs. One day, being chased by a hunter, she was escaping danger through the bush; her magnificent horns impeded her escape but her unsightly legs ran well and saved her life. Although this is only a fable, if we reflect it on ourselves, we can say that it is a warning critique that truly depicts the world.” (CP 10:1)

2. The Master continued, saying, “In keeping with the development of material civilization, this wonderful world becomes brighter daily.95 However, if one wishes to enjoy exquisite, modern conveniences of all sorts to the full, one needs power and wealth. As public sentiment becomes overtaken by this reality, people grow arrogant and self-conceited if they obtain some of what they desire. Those who do not obtain what they desire using whatever contemptible means, commit all sorts of vices and sow various seeds of enmity. And when they are threatened one morning by the hunter of adversity, they are at a loss with fear, trying to find the way out of danger with the power of concentration, know how, and right conduct, which will be ineffective without daily practice. Moreover, being hindered in various ways by the distortions of fame, power, and wealth, they are forced into the jaws of death. How pitiful that is! Moreover, at death, which everyone faces eventually, the fame, power, and wealth that one has enjoyed are useless. Rather, in building up layers of karma and strengthening the attachment of evil passions, they cause one to lose freedom of spirit and hinder one’s affinity for the good path. You should think through this thoroughly and bear it in mind, so as to devote yourselves to attaining the three great powers of cultivation, inquiry, and heedful choice, testing your actual mental power against any matter you face at any time.” (CP 10:2)

3. The Master continued, saying, “Since you have entered this order for Buddhist practice, you may guess the essence of false and true. However, if you do not check your practice daily and hourly while residing in the order, you could, unawares, easily be attracted by external splendor. If as a Buddhist practitioner you possess vast knowledge, a good writing style, or eloquence, you may mistake it for true power of practice and be conceited. If you are praised or remunerated, you can easily be proud of yourself, as if you have achieved something great.

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