The Teaching on the "Faith in Mind" by Venerable Jinwoo

When the mind is equal in Oneness,

The discriminating mind naturally fades way.

This means that if you maintain a consistent, undivided heart, the discriminating mind will naturally vanish. Here Oneness refers to a consistent heart that is not divided into two. It signifies a heart of the middle path that has abandoned the two discriminating minds of liking and disliking.

The two worlds of conditionality and emptiness I explained earlier might appear different, but they actually originated from one source.  It is similar to saying that form is emptiness, and emptiness is form. Emptiness does not mean nonexistence but refers to a state where both being and non-being have disappeared.

Therefore, although we mistakenly perceive material entities called ‘form’ exist, in reality, no existence can escape the cycles of birth, aging, illness, death, and the phases of formation, duration, decay, and disappearance. Everything in the universe decays and disappears. Because of this insubstantiality, the state beyond being and non-being is expressed as ‘emptiness’.

Being equal signifies consistency. When you realize that both existence and non-existence are empty, there is ultimately nothing to discriminate against. This understanding is referred to being equal, indicating that the suffering and affliction, as a karmic result of discriminating thoughts, will naturally disappear.

“The discriminating mind naturally fades way.” refers to a state where all afflictions and delusions have vanished. Since both existence and non-existence come from the same source, realizing the emptiness of these two will calm the mind like a tranquil sea unaffected by the winds of desire, leading to peace.

If you perceive existence as a substance, the desire to possess arises, leading to affliction, and the resulting karmic retribution causes suffering and pain. Realizing that form is emptiness, desire vanishes. Then, the consequences of pain and suffering will also be eradicated, which brings peace to the mind. 

By maintaining an undivided heart that does not discriminate, you will not lean towards good or bad at any time anywhere. Every place will turn into the Buddha's form and you will not discriminate whatever you do. This is called true service to Buddha.

Today, many people continue to clash with different thoughts. However, even while observing these confrontations, one does not hold the mind of right and wrong or good and bad, merely seeing them as different appearances.

Even when advocating for "This side is right and that side is wrong." the mind does not harbor discriminating thoughts of good and bad. This is because one already knows right and wrong, good and bad are ultimately just manifestations of discriminating thoughts rooted in cause and effect.

One also abandons the thoughts of "It should be like this." or "What if that happens?" Whatever happens, it’s a mere appearance of cause and effect, so why does it matter? Simply, one lets go of discriminating thoughts whether this or that happens. Only let go of thoughts of joy and sorrow and maintain a peaceful heart. Most of all, it is important to avoid being trapped in the net of cause and effect, by abandoning the emotions of pain and pleasure. 

By approaching everything with this mindset, one can escape the discriminating thoughts of joy and sorrow, maintaining a consistently tranquil and peaceful heart. However, as there may be moments of losing this mindset, one must diligently practice chanting, meditation, generosity, as well as the perseverance to remind themselves to let go.

When you see this, accept it as such.

When you see that, accept it as such.

When it happens this way, accept it as such.

When it happens that way, accept it as such.

Venerable Jinwoo

The 37th President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism