Taking the high seat, Zen Master Ko Bong held up his Zen stick and said:
"Inside it is bright
Outside it is also bright
Wherever it is, it is bright
What is it?"
Everyone was silent. "That is the Diamond Paramita." He then laid down his Zen stick.
"When gold is in the ground it is bright. If you put gold into a hot furnace, it is also bright. After being in the furnace, gold is still bright. Before it went through the furnace it could not be used to make anything. Also, when in the furnace it cannot be used. But after it comes out of the furnace, we can use it to make many things: a ring, earrings or a hair pin.
"Then what is the 'furnace'? The furnace is giving, morality, patience, practice, meditation and wisdom. Whenever you give something, whether it's spiritual or material help, do not discriminate between subject and object, man/women, old/young... Forget that kind of thinking. Forget these three things: I, you and give.
"Next: morality. Whether giving or receiving, only do what is correct, then good and bad will become clear. Then your clear action will 'kill' good and bad. But, do not attach to good and bad. This is the morality paramita.
"If something is bothering you, then be patient and forgiving. A patient mind will make you happy. Then inside you will feel pride and want to try harder. This is the patience paramita. Pride is like a pond plant which has no roots--it comes and goes freely. Fear only that you will fall into indulgence.
"If you are always discriminating between people and things (for example looking at them) but your mind is not moving, then this is the meditation paramita.
"If something comes--do not be happy. If something goes--do not be sad. When you cry, just cry. When you laugh, just laugh. Things are created, linger... decline, empty. Feelings change from happy to sad, joy to anger. Countries arise and prosper and then they decline and are destroyed. If you perceive this without attaching to it, this is the wisdom paramita.
"The sun is in the sky whether it is clear or cloudy. Gold is gold whether it is in the ground, in the furnace or on your hand. The Diamond Paramita is just like that--not dependant on life or death, coming or going, or time and space. So, can you see it or not? If you can see it I will hit you thirty times. If you cannot see it I will also hit you thirty times... what can you do?
"6X6=36."
Zen Master Ko Bong then got down off the high seat.
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