[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.44,0:00:13.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,<Attaining Enlightenment\NThrough Meditation>
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.86,0:00:17.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Questioner) Hi Sunim, thank you \Nfor giving me a chance to ask a question.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.58,0:00:22.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have a question about meditation\Nand the study of the Buddhist scriptures.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.40,0:00:27.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned that the Buddha attained\Na peaceful mind and profound enlightenment
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.28,0:00:29.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through meditation.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.10,0:00:32.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am trying to practice meditation\Nfor the same purpose,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.86,0:00:37.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, as a beginner\Nwho has yet to follow the path,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.05,0:00:43.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have doubts about how I can reach\Nsuch a deep state of enlightenment
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.68,0:00:45.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,simply by not thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.88,0:00:54.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Could you explain how meditation leads\Nto peace of mind and enlightenment?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.17,0:01:04.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Sunim) Most of our agony arises\Nprimarily from our thoughts.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.03,0:01:20.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, we must free ourselves\Nfrom our preconceived notions
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.68,0:01:30.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of ethics, morality, religious beliefs, and\Nother paradigms that shape our thoughts.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.42,0:01:47.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example: Consider a man and a woman
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.86,0:01:52.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who have feelings for each other\Nand become romantically involved.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.15,0:02:00.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In a typical relationship\Nbetween two ordinary individuals,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.38,0:02:02.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they can simply like each other.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.18,0:02:17.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, if they are Buddhist or Catholic\Nclergy, they have been taught
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.90,0:02:22.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that engaging in romantic\Nor sexual relationships is forbidden.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.91,0:02:35.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As a result, those\Nwho have undergone such training,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.03,0:02:39.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while experiencing joy\Nin their romantic relationship,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.13,0:02:41.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,also struggle with guilt.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.88,0:03:02.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That guilt, the negative feelig they get,\Ndoes not stem from the relationship itself
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.75,0:03:09.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but rather from their belief\Nthat they should not be engaging in it.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.85,0:03:30.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Much of the suffering and issues\Nwe experience today occurs
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.32,0:03:35.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,due to the clash between reality,\Nwhat we truly experience,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.85,0:03:40.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and our preconceived notions\Nof how things should be.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.28,0:03:57.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This suffering disappears when we resolve\Nthe contradiction in one of two ways:
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.26,0:04:02.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,either by letting go of our preconceptions\Nand accepting reality as it is,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.81,0:04:07.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or by clinging to our preconceptions\Nand giving up what we desire in reality.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.48,0:04:22.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, we can never truly resolve\Nthis problem
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.89,0:04:27.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if we attempt to hold onto\Nour preconceptions
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.66,0:04:30.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while simultaneously trying to attain\Nwhat we desire in reality,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.67,0:04:34.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because that contradiction\Nwill inevitably persist.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.44,0:04:38.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, another example:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.34,0:04:53.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If there are traditional ethics or morals\Nthat say men and women of certain ages
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.09,0:04:58.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can't see each other as romantic partners,\Nthen doing so creates suffering.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.100,0:05:11.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Similarly, if we're taught that divorce is\Nunacceptable after marriage,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.40,0:05:17.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yet circumstances call for separation\Nor divorce,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.04,0:05:21.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this contradiction creates\Nsuffering.
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: 0,0:05:29.01,0:05:31.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and separate all the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.33,0:05:39.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's all coming together.\NIt's not the cause of our suffering.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.47,0:05:42.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Separation or divorce is\Nnot the cause of our suffering.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.55,0:05:54.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's our preconceptions of "what ought to\Nbe" that actually cause our 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 we can just erase "what ought to be,"\Nthen we actually eliminate
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.64,0:06:20.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a lot of suffering\Nfrom our own internal conflicts.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.13,0:06:57.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example, when we teach our daughters\Nthat having sex before marriage is a sin,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.83,0:07:05.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they then engage in premarital sex, it\Ncauses them a lot of internal suffering.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.31,0:07:14.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't teach our sons this as much,\Nso they may engage in premarital sex
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.56,0:07:17.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without the same level of guilt.\NThis is all because
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.21,0:07:22.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the preconceptions\Nthat we 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,,So, that is why the foundational piece\Nof our meditation is to stop thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.48,0:07:50.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What position you take,\Nhowever you breathe,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.93,0:07:54.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all that doesn't really matter.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.93,0:08:08.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many of you say you meditate,\Nbut you end up quietly thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.36,0:08:10.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is thinking,\Nnot 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 it,\Nyou will know your thinking does not stop.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.38,0:08:52.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Naturally, your thinking is amplified\Nby 2, 3, 10 times more.
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\Nalways 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\Namplified.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.79,0:09:25.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is why the old teachers told us\Nthis:
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.24,0:09:32.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's dust\Nflying all over the room.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.07,0:09:36.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we don't see it well.\NIt is almost invisible.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.74,0:09:41.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if there's a ray of sunlight coming\Nthrough the room,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.93,0:09:48.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we suddenly realize\Nthat a lot of dust is floating around.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.12,0:10:02.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we take a cloth or duster\Nand try to dust it off.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.32,0:10:06.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We realize\Nthat we are actually creating 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, what they're saying is\Nthat we 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 a single ray of light\Nto actually 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,\Nis not 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 that 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\Nand letting dust fly even more.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.10,0:12:00.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You have to just\Nlet 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: 0,0:12:51.34,0:13:05.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Another strategy that came up\Nduring Zen Buddhist tradition is a Koan,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.33,0:13:08.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just to focus\Non 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\Non that single question.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:17.66,0:13:23.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know,\Nother 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,,The only thing you actually focus\Non is 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,,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: 0,0:14:27.91,0:14:54.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if you really focus on the book\Nand get into the substance,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:54.52,0:14:57.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,birds may tweet,\Nbut you don't pay attention;
Dialogue: 0,0:14:57.05,0:15:00.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,cars may run on the road nearby,\Nbut you don't pay attention,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:00.55,0:15:03.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nor do you pay attention\Nto the stream beside you
Dialogue: 0,0:15:03.44,0:15:07.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because you are really focused;\Nyou are in that zone of focus.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.94,0:15:17.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, meditation is all about the absence\Nof thoughts, but from a strategic
Dialogue: 0,0:15:17.95,0:15:23.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,perspective, 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,\Nnot thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:22.78,0:16:26.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You are just experiencing\Nthat 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 actually get 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\Nkind 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,\Nyou 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\Nand create a story out 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 your 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 you focus on here,\Nyou lose focus there.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:24.08,0:18:29.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if you pay attention there,\Nyou 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: 0,0:19:05.16,0:19:27.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, if you keep practicing, the time\Nyou can sustain focus on a single breath
Dialogue: 0,0:19:27.08,0:19:30.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before getting distracted can increase\Nto 1 minute, then 5 minutes,
Dialogue: 0,0:19:30.79,0:19:33.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then 10 minutes.\NIt will gradually 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: 0,0:19:52.79,0:20:07.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then you start actually gaining autonomy.\NYou are no longer beholden
Dialogue: 0,0:20:07.91,0:20:11.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to your past memories\Nor 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\Nby thoughts of 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: 0,0:21:10.82,0:21:12.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without being captured\Nby your past memories
Dialogue: 0,0:21:12.98,0:21:16.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the future\Nthat has not come yet.
Dialogue: 0,0:21:16.64,0:21:28.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So even if a thought\Nabout Buddha comes unbidden to you
Dialogue: 0,0:21:28.14,0:21:32.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while meditating,\Nthat 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 is why there is 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 are just distractions.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:44.34,0:22:47.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sorry for the lengthy response.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:47.29,0:22:48.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Sunim/Questioner Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:22:48.78,0:22:49.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Questioner) Thanks.
Dialogue: 0,0:22:49.76,0:22:51.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Audience Applause)