The Mind’s Vessel
from the collection of Rev. Na Sang-ho’s Mindscape
A friend casually invited me over for a light meal.
As I entered their home, I noticed a display cabinet filled with a variety of teaware. While admiring the beautiful teaware, exclaiming how delightful it was, I was called to the dining table.
Soon after, they brought out the meal—served in teaware. Surprised, I thought to myself, "What? Serving rice in such precious teaware?" Then, moments later, they brought out soup—again in teaware. I was slightly taken aback.
I asked, "Why use such precious teaware for this?"
The response was, "Because a special guest has arrived, so I must serve in these special dishes."
After the meal, they served warm jujube tea, again in teaware.
That day, my perception of dishes changed.
When tea is served in a certain dish, it is called teaware; when rice is served, it becomes tableware; when soup is served, it becomes a soup bowl; when alcohol is served, it is a wine glass; when medicine is served, it is a medicine bowl. If incense is placed inside with fine sand, it becomes an incense burner. Conversely, if poison is poured into it with malicious intent, it becomes a poison cup.
The dishes themselves are fundamentally the same, but their nature changes depending on what they hold. This could be described as the inherent essence (體性) of the dish.
The same goes for the vessel of our minds. It transforms depending on what we hold within. A mind filled with calmness becomes a tranquil vessel, while a mind filled with chaos becomes a restless vessel. A mind brimming with wisdom becomes a wise vessel, whereas one filled with foolish thoughts becomes a foolish vessel. A mind emptied of greed becomes a pure vessel, while one overflowing with desire becomes a vessel of avarice.
The inherent essence of our mind is fundamentally one, but it changes based on the thoughts it holds. This "original vessel of the mind," emptied of all discriminating and clinging thoughts, is often referred to as the mind ground (心地), mind field (心田), true nature (本性), or Il-Won (一圓). This is the Dharmakaya Buddha within us.
There is a teaching that says, "One who practices well never departs from their true nature."
In other words, "A person who diligently practices mind cultivation reflects on the Dharmakaya Buddha, whether in activity or stillness, and uses their mind with integrity."
This is not easy.
Won Buddhist practitioners vow in the Vow of Il-Won-Sang to “... take this Dharmakaya Buddha, Il-Won-Sang, as my essence and aspire to harmonize with the essence of Il-Won.” It is a pledge to dedicate oneself until the self and the Dharmakaya Buddha become one and the same.
This is the meaning of Timeless Meditation (無時禪) and Placeless Meditation (無處禪)—the practice of meditation at all times and in all places.
Once again, I turn inward and observe this "vessel of the mind."
