A few weeks ago in the Korean Temple we saw they used an interesting cloth to place in front for your head to touch when you bow. It had a circle on it (a target we joked) and a rather beautiful Zen stanza.
When things are viewed inwardly they usually become paradoxical. The less you want the more you have etc… The stanza on the cloths fits this pattern.
Here is its translation:
낮아질수록 넓어진다
마음도 그와 같아서
나를 낮추어 남을 생각하면
넓어져 더욱 향기로워진다.
A thing becomes broader as it becomes lower.
We are also like this.
As we let go of “I” and “mine,”
Our hearts become broader and more fragrant.
Hi,
Just for those not familiar with Zen/Seon, it’s worth pointing out that, well, in a way, the circle is the target! It represents, of course, being one with shunyata/emptiness/True-Nature/Hanmaum/One-mind/Buddha-nature – etc, and is the central picture in the Ox-herding series:
Great pdf here: http://www.buddhistpublishing.com/BN/application/workfiles/resources/BNow-e3_ox-pics.pdf
Thank you for the wonderful translation.
Marcus