The Way of Korean Zen by Kusan Sunim

Author:Kusan Sunim [Sunim, Kusan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780834826939
Publisher: Shambhala
Published: 2009-02-09T18:30:00+00:00

The clouds disperse, the waves settle, and the coral grows.

The fish and the dragons sleep deeply and do not move.

Load the ship full with the moon, pull the oar and depart.

Assembly of monks, it is true that these days you are exerting much effort in your practice of meditation. However, I would like to add a few words for your benefit. Of the ninety days of this winter retreat, already half have passed, for today we have reached the midpoint of the meditation season, and only forty-five days are now left. Every day time flows on urgently like water. Even though it may seem that there are certain enjoyments in daily life, actually we are just like fish in a pool whose water is constantly being drained away. When all the water has gone, the fish will surely die, won’t they? Likewise, not only you monks gathered here but all sentient beings are traveling the path that only leads to death. As each day passes, your life span decreases by one day. And as each hour passes, it decreases by one hour. Just listen to this clock. With every tick the second hand moves, pauses, and moves on again. This itself can immediately be taken as a Dharma lecture of the Buddha. Therefore, the mora of transiency is propelling us toward death every moment. If you do not realize the truth of the unborn, then when the time of death suddenly arrives, you will find yourself moaning in illness. Even though nobody wants to die, every one of us will inevitably perish. Is there anyone here among you whose body is not a potential corpse? If there is, then speak out! Furthermore, should we live solely for the benefit of this potential corpse? Or would it be better to live in order to awaken to the truth of the unborn? When you are finally moaning in illness, then you may have regrets at not having diligently practiced while alive. But at that time such regrets will be in vain. Therefore, why do you not practice now? Why do you just continue to play around?

The mind is just like the moon rising behind a mass of clouds. It seems dim because its brightness, like the brightness of the moon, is obscured and cannot shine forth. However, if the mind is purified, a Buddha will appear. People will say that from the day you awakened a Buddha appeared in the world anew. But in reality no Buddha ever came. Originally the mind is there, bright and illuminating. It does not become bright for the first time only when you awaken. When the mind is sullied, an ordinary man appears. Then people say that a Buddha has departed and that the world has become that of sentient beings. But in reality a Buddha never departed. Therefore, a Buddha does not appear upon purification of the mind and likewise does not depart when the mind becomes sullied. Be careful not to fall into either of these two extremes.

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