[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.56,0:00:09.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,<Attaining Enlightenment\NThrough Meditation>
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.12,0:00:17.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Questioner) Hi Sunim, thanks \Nfor giving me a chance to ask a question.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.58,0:00:22.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I have a question on meditation\Nand studying Buddhist scripture.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.74,0:00:27.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned that the Buddha achieved\Na peaceful mind and profound enlightenment
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.63,0:00:29.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through meditation.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.49,0:00:33.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am trying to practice meditation\Nfor the same purpose,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.30,0:00:39.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but as a beginner who hasn't gone\Nthrough the path, I have some doubts
Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.84,0:00:46.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about how I can achieve such a deep state\Nof enlightenment through not thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.14,0:00:54.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Could you explain how meditation can lead\Nto such peace of mind and enlightenment?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.56,0:01:04.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Sunim) All our suffering actually happens\Nbecause we think too much.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.21,0:01:21.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, we need to truly liberate ourselves\Nfrom our preconceptions of ethics,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.42,0:01:30.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,morality, religious faith, and other\Nparadigms. These guard our thoughts.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.68,0:01:36.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example:
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.51,0:01:52.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Say a man and a woman who like\Neach other have become lovers.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.33,0:02:03.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, in a regular relationship between\Ntwo ordinary people, they like each other.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.02,0:02:17.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, if they are Buddhist clergy\Nor Catholic clergy, they have been taught
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.90,0:02:23.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not to engage in sexual relationships.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.26,0:02:35.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, those people\Nwho are trained in that way,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.11,0:02:39.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while they enjoy being with the other\Nperson in a romantic relationship,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.21,0:02:42.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,also feel guilt.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.12,0:03:00.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, all that guilt, that negative feeling,\Nis not a result of having this romantic
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.87,0:03:03.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,relationship with another person you like.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.43,0:03:09.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It comes from your own preconceptions\Nthat you shouldn't be doing this.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.85,0:03:30.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, a lot of the suffering and issues\Nwe experience today actually happen
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.32,0:03:34.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of the contradiction or collision\Nbetween what is happening in reality,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.52,0:03:40.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what we experience in reality, and our\Npreconceptions of how things should be.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.33,0:03:56.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That suffering disappears\Nwhen you erase the contradiction
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.36,0:04:03.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by choosing to abandon a preconception\Nand accept reality
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.83,0:04:08.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or adhering to that preconception\Nand foregoing your desires.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.12,0:04:26.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, we can never solve this problem\Nas long as we simultaneously adhere
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.25,0:04:30.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a preconception and desire \Nwhat we want in reality;
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.76,0:04:34.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that contradiction will persist.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.20,0:04:38.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, another example:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.34,0:04:53.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If traditional ethics dictate\Nthat men and women of a certain age
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.09,0:04:58.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,cannot be romantic partners,\Nthen such relationships create suffering.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.100,0:05:11.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Similarly, if we are taught that divorce\Nis unacceptable after marriage,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.97,0:05:21.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yet circumstances call for separation,\Nthis contradiction creates suffering.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.32,0:05:29.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in the natural course of things,\Npeople come together
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.01,0:05:31.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and separate all the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.11,0:05:39.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's all coming together.\NIt's not the cause of your suffering.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.47,0:05:42.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Separation or divorce is\Nnot the cause of your suffering.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.55,0:05:54.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's your preconceptions of "what ought to\Nbe" that actually cause your suffering,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.08,0:05:58.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whether it's a first meeting\Nor a separation.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.04,0:06:12.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you can just erase "what ought to be,"\Nthen you actually eliminate
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.64,0:06:20.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a lot of suffering\Nfrom your own internal conflicts.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.13,0:06:58.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example, when we teach our daughters\Nthat premarital sex is a sin,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.31,0:07:05.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it causes them internal suffering\Nwhen they engage in it.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.31,0:07:11.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we do not teach our sons \Nthis to the same extent,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.53,0:07:16.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so they may not feel the same guilt.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.44,0:07:22.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is all due to the preconceptions\Nwe instill in our children.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.58,0:07:34.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example, if you stop thinking\Nright now, there is no cost to suffer.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.93,0:07:43.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is why the foundation of\Nour meditation is stopping your thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.48,0:07:54.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What posture you take, how you breathe,\Nnone of that really matters.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.93,0:08:08.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many of you say you are meditating,\Nbut you end up thinking quietly.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.36,0:08:10.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is thinking, not meditating.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.58,0:08:16.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thinking good thoughts does not mean\Nyou meditate well.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.93,0:08:24.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Meditation is\Na state of absence of thoughts.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.04,0:08:31.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If your thinking stops,\Nmost of your suffering will go away.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.51,0:08:40.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But once you try to stop thinking,\Nyou will find it doesn't stop easily.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.38,0:08:52.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Naturally, your thinking is amplified\Nmore than two, three, or tenfold.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.38,0:08:59.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when you are meditating,\Nyour body may be still,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.63,0:09:02.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but you are always thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.78,0:09:15.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So how do you stop thinking?\NBecause if you intend to stop thinking,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.23,0:09:18.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that intention itself gets amplified.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.79,0:09:25.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is why the old teachers told us this:
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.24,0:09:32.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's dust flying in the room.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.07,0:09:36.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't see it well.\NIt is almost invisible.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.74,0:09:42.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if there is a ray of sunlight\Nthat comes through the room,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.01,0:09:48.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We suddenly realize that a lot of dust is\Nfloating in the room.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.12,0:10:02.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are trying to get rid of the dust\Nfrom the room with a duster or a cloth.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.32,0:10:06.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then, we are realizing that\Ntrying to do so only creates more dust.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.87,0:10:12.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then, what do we do?\NWe just have to let it be.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.36,0:10:20.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As time passes,\Nmost of the dust will gradually settle.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.78,0:10:39.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So basically, they're saying\Nwe constantly live
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.27,0:10:45.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a flux of thoughts and distractions,\Nbut we don't realize it
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.06,0:10:50.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we lack the\Nsingle ray of light to illuminate them.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.18,0:11:07.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, the fact that you actually sit down\Nand start realizing
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.16,0:11:12.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how dusty the room in your mind is,\Nisn't a failure in the meditation.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:12.95,0:11:16.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's actually a process\Nof meditating on that recognition.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.71,0:11:25.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's the same as seeing a single ray\Nof light illuminating all that dust.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:25.84,0:11:34.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That first realization\Nthat "I live amidst all this dust,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.23,0:11:36.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in these distracting thoughts".
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.66,0:11:49.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then you start engaging in a kind\Nof performance-oriented meditation,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:49.22,0:11:52.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in which you want to do meditation\Nbetter and faster.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.48,0:11:57.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thereby creating more distractions,\Nletting dust fly even more.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.10,0:12:00.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You have to just let it be.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.62,0:12:07.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it doesn't really settle that quickly\Nbecause it just flies around.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.90,0:12:15.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's why the strategy is\Nto focus your thoughts on one thing.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.40,0:12:25.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The easiest thing to focus your thoughts\Non is your breath.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:25.85,0:12:38.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically, it is a strategy\Nof focusing
Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.12,0:12:42.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the inhalation and exhalation\Nof your breath.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.54,0:12:51.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Pali, it is called Ānāpāna.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.34,0:13:04.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Another strategy that came up\Nduring the Zen Buddhist tradition is
Dialogue: 0,0:13:04.40,0:13:08.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a Koan, to focus on one single thought.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.28,0:13:13.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or one single question,\Nlike "Who am I?".
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.49,0:13:17.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just focus on that single question.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:17.66,0:13:23.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Other thoughts will constantly be there.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:23.43,0:13:26.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You just let them be.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.59,0:13:35.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the only thing you actually focus on\Nis that single question.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.22,0:13:43.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example, say you read a book\Nin the middle of the forest.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.13,0:13:46.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, there are birds tweeting.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.66,0:13:49.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You hear a stream.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:49.34,0:13:52.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you hear cars down the road.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.13,0:13:55.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you can't really focus.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:55.53,0:13:59.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If the cars were not running,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.78,0:14:03.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if the birds stopped tweeting,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.42,0:14:06.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if the stream stopped running;
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.95,0:14:14.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then you could actually focus\Nin a quiet forest, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:14.13,0:14:19.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But you can't stop those things.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:19.48,0:14:27.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just because you stop those externalities\Ndoesn't guarantee that you can focus.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:27.91,0:14:52.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if you really focus on the book\Nand get really into the substance
Dialogue: 0,0:14:52.97,0:14:56.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the book, birds may tweet,\Nbut you don't pay attention to them.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:56.19,0:14:58.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The cars may be running on the road\Nnext to it,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.84,0:15:01.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but you don't really pay attention,\Nnor do you pay attention
Dialogue: 0,0:15:01.66,0:15:04.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the stream running beside you\Nbecause you are really focused;
Dialogue: 0,0:15:04.67,0:15:07.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you are in that zone of focus.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.94,0:15:17.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, meditation is\Nall about the absence of thoughts,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:17.18,0:15:18.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but from a strategic perspective,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:18.84,0:15:23.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's all about focusing\Non that one single thought.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:23.20,0:15:31.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's say you focus\Non the breath in and breath out.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:31.91,0:15:39.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, when the breath comes in\Nto know that the breath is coming in.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:39.43,0:15:46.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You are not thinking\Nabout the breath coming in.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:46.66,0:16:01.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a kind of sensory experience:\Nthe flow of the air as it actually travels
Dialogue: 0,0:16:01.100,0:16:06.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over your skin, through your nostrils,\Nas it enters your lungs.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:06.06,0:16:17.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you also feel that kind of tactile\Nsense of the breath and leaf in your nose.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:17.02,0:16:22.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is experiencing, not thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:22.78,0:16:26.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You are just experiencing that breath.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:26.69,0:16:32.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You might think of your mother\Nat that time.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:32.28,0:16:42.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But once you are actually distracted\Nby the thought of your mother,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:42.46,0:16:45.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you start thinking,\N"Oh, what about the time we went
Dialogue: 0,0:16:45.49,0:16:47.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on a picnic with my mom?\NWhat about the time
Dialogue: 0,0:16:47.82,0:16:49.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we had an argument with her?"
Dialogue: 0,0:16:49.24,0:16:53.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, you actually create narratives\Naround those thoughts.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:53.94,0:16:58.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This becomes a distraction.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:58.21,0:17:05.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, you can't really stop the thought\Nof your mother rising.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:05.78,0:17:12.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But despite whatever thoughts come to you,\Nyou keep focusing on the breath.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:12.43,0:17:18.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically, do not pay attention\Nor give energy to that thought.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:18.16,0:17:21.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then the thoughts kind of dissipate.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:21.46,0:17:23.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then other thoughts will come.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:23.83,0:17:26.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You'll think about coffee.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:26.22,0:17:29.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But nevertheless, you focus on the breath.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:29.90,0:17:33.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then the thought of coffee dissipates.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:33.15,0:17:45.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you will have countless thoughts\Nrise and fall, rise and fall,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:45.33,0:17:48.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as long as you don't pay attention\Nto them.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:48.37,0:18:00.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But once you start actually doing it,\Nwhen you think of coffee,
Dialogue: 0,0:18:00.27,0:18:02.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you kind of follow it and create a story\Nout of it;
Dialogue: 0,0:18:02.90,0:18:06.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"What kind of coffee do I want?\NWith whom do I want this coffee?".
Dialogue: 0,0:18:06.77,0:18:13.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At that time, you have already lost\Nthat focus on your breath.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:13.67,0:18:19.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because our attention can only focus\Non one thing at a time.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:19.94,0:18:24.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If I focus on here, I lose focus there.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:24.08,0:18:29.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if I pay attention there,\NI lose attention here.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:29.77,0:18:40.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thoughts are just that;\Nas long as you don't pay attention
Dialogue: 0,0:18:40.29,0:18:43.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to them, they will just rise and fall,\Nrise and fall.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:43.68,0:18:57.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, when we say we are distracted,\Nthose random thoughts are
Dialogue: 0,0:18:57.32,0:19:01.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not distractions in themselves.\NIt really becomes a source of distraction
Dialogue: 0,0:19:01.10,0:19:05.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you start creating stories\Naround those thoughts.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:05.16,0:19:25.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, if you keep practicing,\Nyou can sustain that focus
Dialogue: 0,0:19:25.55,0:19:29.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on a single breath for one minute\Nbefore being distracted,
Dialogue: 0,0:19:29.90,0:19:33.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then five minutes, and then ten minutes.\NIt will actually increase.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:33.25,0:19:46.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, the attention span\Non that single breath will continue
Dialogue: 0,0:19:46.27,0:19:52.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to increase,\Nand you will experience less distraction.
Dialogue: 0,0:19:52.79,0:20:06.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then you start actually gaining autonomy.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:06.48,0:20:11.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You are no longer beholden\Nto your past memories or future hopes.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:11.55,0:20:26.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The reason you get angry, you get sad,\Nyou feel this emotion and that is
Dialogue: 0,0:20:26.02,0:20:29.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because all these past memories come\Nhaunting you.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:29.78,0:20:45.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You become fearful, anxious, and nervous\Nbecause you are thinking about the future.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:45.57,0:20:55.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, if you are not captured by thoughts\Nof the future,
Dialogue: 0,0:20:55.74,0:20:58.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then all your anxiety and nervousness\Nwill go away.
Dialogue: 0,0:20:58.98,0:21:10.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that is why we teach to be awakened\Nin the here and now,
Dialogue: 0,0:21:10.82,0:21:13.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without being captured\Nby your past memories or the future
Dialogue: 0,0:21:13.71,0:21:16.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that has not come yet.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:16.64,0:21:29.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So even if a thought about Buddha comes\Nunbidden to you while meditating,
Dialogue: 0,0:21:29.41,0:21:32.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is just another distraction.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:32.24,0:21:41.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, just singular focus on that breath;\Neverything else is a distraction.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:41.93,0:21:55.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If it's a Zen Koan,\Nanything that falls outside the scope
Dialogue: 0,0:21:55.52,0:21:59.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of exploring that question is\Na distraction.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:59.34,0:22:09.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so, in that state, even what you read\Nin the scriptures, sutras,
Dialogue: 0,0:22:09.62,0:22:12.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or even Buddha's own teachings\Nare just distractions.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:12.69,0:22:22.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's why there's a teaching:\Nif you see a Buddha,
Dialogue: 0,0:22:22.14,0:22:24.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you think about the Buddha,\Nkill the Buddha.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:24.35,0:22:27.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you encounter your teacher,\Nkill the teacher.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:27.87,0:22:37.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, we don't really mean to\Nliterally kill them,
Dialogue: 0,0:22:37.47,0:22:41.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but obviously, we are saying is\Nto not pay them any mind.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:41.06,0:22:44.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're just distractions.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:44.34,0:22:47.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sorry for the lengthy response.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:47.29,0:22:49.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Sunim/Questioner Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:22:49.05,0:22:50.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Questioner) Thanks.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:50.07,0:22:51.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Audience Applause)