I DON’T KNOW In the first evening of WBS students’ retreat, one of students gave a Dharma talk. More interesting messages emerge usually at the Q&A session after the talk. Today was not an exception. As a method to alleviate one’s suffering, the student speaker suggested chanting. “In the beginning, I just focus on the sound of NaMu-AhMi-Tah-Buhl, but I also reflect on the original nature.” “What is the original nature?” Instead of verbal explanation, the student performed an activity with a volunteer. The speaker asked the volunteer to close his eyes and to say sincerely “I don’t know” in response to the question of ‘what’s your name?’ “What’s your name?” “I don’t know.” “What’s your name?” “I don’t know.” “WHAT’S YOUR NAME?!” “I DON’T KNOW!” “That’s good!” I do not know exactly what the speaker intended through this activity, but when I say “I don’t know?” repeatedly to the same question, I feel like dropping my identity. My body, memory, thoughts, emotion, and all sensations, which are identified as ‘Sanghyeon’ in aggregate, are not any more me, myself. Then, who am I? WHO AM I?! I DON’T KNOW!
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 02:40:01 +0000