Last week was a time filled with various events held after business hours, and it seems that our community members have earned a lot of merit by participating. On Tuesday, there was a walking event and the Jin-gak Literary Festival organized by the religious order at the Sannae Training Center. Then, on Thursday, the 3rd Tongriwon Park Golf Tournament also took place at the Sannae Training Center. Yesterday, our Pohang parish hosted a ceremony for the Marine Corps Training Center's new recruits. In particular, the event yesterday was significant as it involved about 240 trainees from the 139th Marine Corps, who are set to graduate next week. Therefore, the meaning of the ceremony was especially profound. What do the soldiers appreciate the most? The snacks given out are certainly important, right? So, yesterday, our Pohang parish prepared something for the soldiers.

Are you ready? We found out that we can't choose. The monk said, At this time, you need to do this. So, what we prepared is something that is sold by the PX Marine Corps, which includes hamburgers and drinks. We divided it up. Do you know what kind of hamburger it is? The hamburger we received yesterday is from Mom's Touch. You only know McDonald's, right? Or maybe just Lotteria? Mom's Touch is a hamburger brand, so we have to place an order. Do you know what Mom's Touch means? I'm sorry, it's a bit of a language issue. Mom refers to mother, right? And Touch means a gentle touch. It can also mean the emotional impact felt through that gentle touch. So, what do you think Mom's Touch represents?

A mother's touch and a mother's emotion, that's what it is, right? What is the content of that? Hamburgers, although considered junk food, we made them with a mother's sincerity. In that sense, I believe the brand is named Mom's Touch. So, what do these soldiers want to eat the most? Mom's Touch hamburgers and pizza, that's right. Isn't home-cooked food, made with a mother's touch, the most nostalgic food? Why is that? Because it contains love. Should I express it this way? Isn't it natural? It carries a mother's love and warmth, and even if it’s junk food, wouldn't you miss your mother's home cooking the most? So, I think with a heavy heart that it’s unfortunate we can only provide junk food. I hope for good health during the 18 months of service.

I hope to serve healthily for 18 months and return home in good health to enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal. I had this thought again during the prayer meeting yesterday. On Thursday, we had the park golf tournament, which was an important event where the director of the association was present. It was a gathering he had to attend, especially since our Pohang community organized the event this time. I put a lot of effort into it, considering the concerns of the community. On that day, I believe everyone who attended heard me clearly. During the prayer meeting, the director gave a speech of encouragement. What did he say first when he came up to speak? Did he mention something about rice? What did he say first?

Today, who prepared lunch? You asked, Who prepared it? It was prepared by the organizing committee. But why did you ask? The taste might not be great; food preferences vary from person to person. However, when I think about why the committee chair mentioned that in their encouraging remarks, I realize it’s because there was care put into the preparation. I felt very complimented by that. What was I concerned about? I thought that this golf tournament should go smoothly without any injuries, and I was worried about those things. After the prayer ceremony, as the main event began, I was in that mindset. The committee chair’s words, expressing gratitude for the lovingly prepared food, carried a nice nuance.

I found great comfort in your words. Personally, I believe that sincerity is a very important aspect. The reason I mention Mom's Touch burgers and lotus seeds is that I understand practice as a way of acquiring taste. Don't we refer to the taste of truth as a flavor? I think there is nothing more important than acquiring this taste. Taste can be approached in various ways; for instance, there is the taste of food, but I believe that everything of value has an indescribable flavor. Isn't that right? How we acquire that taste could be seen as a metaphorical and symbolic aspect of our spiritual practice. I think the most significant and clear meaning that conveys the underlying significance is precisely this taste. So, while we all have our favorite flavors, we are all part of the Jin Gak sect, aren't we?

What kind of taste should we pursue? It is the true taste, isn't it? In a way, we should be passing on the blessed taste. This is the real blessed taste. It goes beyond simply liking or disliking flavors. This is the common ground, the taste that we cannot help but agree on, the taste that we cannot oppose. This is the taste we are embodying, the taste we are sharing. I believe this is the essence of our practice. Our fellow practitioners and young Buddhist friends are here too. What kind of coffee do you like? You might like instant coffee or maybe something sweet. When I was younger, I used to enjoy sweet things, but recently, I mainly drink black coffee. Occasionally, I do indulge in something sweet when I crave it. However,

It's not that I drink black coffee all the time, but I do prefer it. You know, when coffee was first introduced to our country, do you know what the royal court and high officials said when they first tasted it? They said it was even more bitter than poison. Of course, it was bitter; coffee is indeed bitter. That’s a common expression, right? They probably used that expression after trying poison, but it means that coffee was much more bitter than poison. 

But at first, even though they drank ten, thirty, a hundred, or a thousand cups of that bitter coffee without sugar, they still felt it was sweet. Have you ever experienced that? Am I addicted? There’s something like that, isn’t there? I use coffee as a metaphor for a delicacy, but it feels like our practice is similar. At first, you think, What is this?

I write, but I don't like it. Why do I eat this? Why do I spend money on this? However, as I continue to experience it, I find that if I dig deeper, I can discern whether there are layers of flavor, bitterness, or even other nuances. For instance, when I go to a good tea house, they might say, The coffee we roasted today has a bit of acidity. Would you like to try it? This sensitivity to taste develops over time. Not all flavors are good flavors, in my opinion. Personally, I enjoy flavors that are sweet, stimulating, and spicy, which might be considered childish tastes. However, it is clear that we should seek more profound flavors. Therefore, mastering taste seems to require time and patience.

I think there are aspects that require repetition, a blessed perspective, and training. In that sense, everything we do, including the teachings of the Great Master Jeonggak and the taste of the truth of the Buddha, revolves around how we can grasp these teachings. What do we do to achieve this? We hold walking competitions, literary festivals, play park golf, and attend precepts ceremonies at the temple, right? We must pursue the essence, don’t you think? Pohang is a coastal city, right? It’s not an inland city, so we inevitably talk about boats. As mentioned in today’s title, adjusting the direction of a large ship is not about a huge rudder but rather a small steering wheel. It may seem trivial, but it is not. What is small and essential can move something large.

I believe that creating something and determining where that movement ultimately leads is a very important aspect. The world is full of MSG, isn't it? It is indeed filled with MSG. We are pursuing a life that is easy, convenient, fast, and stimulating. I mentioned the Marine Corps, and yesterday, 1,300 of our Marine soldiers rejected the MSG of the world. If we follow the tastes of the world, there will be no Marine Corps. Why would they join the Marine Corps? It's a tough place. But they believe that despite the hardships, there is meaning in it. They know that there is something to learn from that challenging experience. So, willingly, we come to endure hardships, don't we? Earlier, I briefly mentioned that even in difficult times, I think to myself, You are better than me. While I have been concerned about comfort lately, I see that they are better. So, looking at those friends, I cheered for the Republic of Korea.

Those who have learned inwardly, the powerful people, put on quite a show, but because of you, we, South Korea, have no choice but to endure. So, they have experienced the taste of asceticism. It may be bitter at first, but ultimately it will be sweet. Though it may be difficult now, I know that this will eventually bring me a blessed taste, and that is why I continue on. We, too, openly engage in our faith. If a person cannot distinguish between the good and the bad in their practice, then this is, in fact, a part that cannot be ignored. With MSG food, if you just make a call and pay, you can get 200 or 300 servings. However, the love of a mother, the touch of truth, and the hand of Buddha require time. Today, at the Beopsang Jibosa Cheonyeo prayer offering, I invite you to share your thoughts after a thousand days.

You have had various experiences with meditation, different forms of self-reflection, and true repentance. However, I believe that because you have sincerely practiced self-discipline, it has provided you with another opportunity for growth. Do you only experience this through the daily prayer rituals? No, that’s not the case. In our everyday lives, through self-generated prayers and engaging in weekday practices, meeting with fellow practitioners, and conversing with them, we can decide what kind of conversations to have and what thoughts to cultivate. I believe these are all crucial elements that contribute to our growth. This time, Director Tongri also mentioned that while park golf is important, ultimately, it should lead to practice, teaching, and transformation, right? If we only focus on park golf, it becomes meaningless. Everyone who was there that day heard him say this. His words were absolutely correct. Our community comes here to enjoy and share meals.

We are at a senior welfare center, which serves as a place of activity. It should also be a place of enjoyment. There needs to be food to share together, but what is the most important thing? It's not just fun; it's fulfillment. The fulfillment of truth. However, ironically, if that fulfillment of truth doesn't come through selfless dedication, I find that I can't feel it. This is the irony. Who doesn't want to pursue comfort? We all want to choose what is easy. But what we need is a mindset of engaging in selfless actions, witnessing the good, and sharing that. This, I believe, is what defines the direction of our spiritual practice. The director mentioned this on Tuesday during our walking event. Recently, there has been a popular expression: bo-sang wa-sa, which means let's walk and see.

I believe that the phrase Living and sleeping while being laid to rest carries significant meaning. Isn't it a standard? It suggests not being lazy and not just thinking, but rather, what does walking the path of practice mean? It means to strive. Being swayed by worldly matters is like lying down. It’s about seeking only comfort, pleasure, sweetness, and deliciousness. 

In this context, I think our original intention is truly important. Recently, Director Tongri has left us many profound sayings. Today, we are also reminded of the importance of harmony among the masses. The grace of our Dharma-body Buddha leads us towards this harmony, which is a small key we must cultivate. We need to adjust this key carefully, as it is quite delicate. Just a slight misalignment can lead to significant consequences. Therefore, we need to strive harder, be more diligent, and seek more.

I believe that consideration is necessary. In that sense, we have successfully wrapped up a major event, and in relation to that, we need to think about how we should embrace it. A senior monk, who is more experienced than I am, mentioned that when he went to play golf recently, there was a seating chart. Upon looking at it, he noticed that there were names listed without any identification. He asked about it, and I replied that I wasn't familiar with them from another temple. Then the monk explained that these individuals have their real names but have not yet received their Dharma names. He pointed out that even those people are not solely focused on playing golf; ultimately, through this experience, they are entering the path of enlightenment and deepening their faith. I thought to myself that this is truly wise advice from our senior monk.

We need to pursue fun, but we must also be careful not to be swayed by various distractions, as this can lead us to lose sight of our true essence. It is essential to maintain the mindset of not forgetting why we gathered here and what we need to do. This is akin to a small rudder steering a large ship; we must carry this significant message in our hearts. I believe this is the meaning we should embrace. Anyway, I would like to express my gratitude for everyone’s participation in this major event, and I appreciate the support and leadership provided by the community. I hope that our collective efforts will bear fruit. Thank you.

대한불교진각종 보정심인당 일요 자성일(9/29) 2부 불사

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