The Unmovable Thing

From time immemorial
There has been an unmovable thing in your mind,
Which you should observe carefully.

It is neither moved by any feelings
Nor attached to reason.
Though alive, it looks dead.
Do you know what it is?

Seeing, it sees without seeing.
Hearing, it hears without hearing.
Deluded by transitory forms, you don't know what it is.
What a pity!

It exists in every form everywhere;
However,
Trying to find it, you can’t find it.
Trying to see it, you can't see it.

Though it changes its shape every moment causing all changes,
It can't be beyond an enlightened man’s sight.
Whatever shape it may turn itself into,
He can see it clearly
Because darkness can hide nothing in the presence of brightness.

This thing, regardless of darkness and brightness,
Is always existing everywhere.
It, however, is not only too big for us to see
But also too small for us to see.
Nevertheless, the man with good sight can see it.

It is like even the Phoenix that, flying without any sound, is not noticed
Can't be out of his sight.

Men with good sight
Should enable the people interested in finding it to find it easily.

Who in the world can do this?
Time is ripe enough.

As you have had long karma with it since your previous life,
You should treasure and observe it attentively with a praying mind
And make a vow to open your eye of wisdom as soon as possible.
Once making a vow, you should never step back.

Who can see the true form that is shapeless?
If you keep looking deep into your mind by sticking to your Hwa-du,
You will be able to feel a stream of movement
Even in the midst of brightness and calmness.

Take one step further at the end of thinking
And you will feel comfortable as if to be released all at once.
Then everything will reveal itself clearly.

The moment you try to pick up the moon in the water,
The moon in the sky hides itself behind clouds.
What a sad thing it is!

 

Written by Master Subul Sunim of Ahnkook Zen Center
Translated by Boo Ahm (Song Soo-kyong)

Monthly Magazine SEOUL(September 2007)