BUDDHA BY NATURE

You may have an illusion that you can acquire samadhi
But you can no more acquire samadhi
Than you can dye the sky
Though having an illusion that you can.
It is a silly idea to try to acquire it separately.

How could you have access to the Truth
By such a poor magic trick?

You must not forget even for a moment
That Buddha is by nature in the great samadhi, the true form of you.
Not knowing that they themselves are Buddha,
Sentient beings try to find Him from outside of themselves.
They have forgotten themselves.

There is nothing specific to cultivate.
Why don't you know it was said as a temporary means by Buddha
That wisdom should be cultivared?

-After a while in silence-

The flowing stream is revealing wisdom
With cicadas chirring in samadhi.
Meanwhile, a leisurely man with no mundane work
Is dyeing the sky.

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