Category: Buddhism & Zen

“I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward lonely people.”

This is #59 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…

57. 가난한 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward poor people.”

58. 고집스러운 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward stubborn people.”

59. 외로운 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this fifty-ninth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward lonely people.”

I wish people would show less compassion toward lonely people. A lot of “lonely” people are perfectly content being alone, a lot of the time. Well, I don’t know that. But in my own case, I’ve got a certain comfort and contentment with my solitude. I rarely view it as a bad thing at all.

“I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward stubborn people.”

This is #58 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
56. 슬픈 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward sad people.”
57. 가난한 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward poor people.”
58. 고집스러운 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this fifty-eighth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward stubborn people.”
I think my problem is more just in being a stubborn person, myself.

“I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward poor people.”

This is #57 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
55. 병든 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward sick people.”
56. 슬픈 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward sad people.”
57. 가난한 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this fifty-seventh affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward poor people.”

“I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward sad people.”

This is #56 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
54. 이 세상을 옳고 그름으로 분별하며 살아온 죄를 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning this world right or wrong.”
55. 병든 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward sick people.”
56. 슬픈 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this fifty-sixth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward sad people.”

Another one of those super-easy translations – just plug in a single change of vocabulary to the preceding one.

“I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward sick people.”

This is #55 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
53. 이 세상을 좋고 나쁨으로 분별하며 살아온 죄를 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning this world good or bad.”
54. 이 세상을 옳고 그름으로 분별하며 살아온 죄를 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning this world right or wrong.”
55. 병든 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this fifty-fifth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward sick people.”

“I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning this world right or wrong.”

This is #54 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
52. 이 세상을 높고 낮음으로 분별하며 살아온 죄를 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning this world high or low.”
53. 이 세상을 좋고 나쁨으로 분별하며 살아온 죄를 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning this world good or bad.”
54. 이 세상을 옳고 그름으로 분별하며 살아온 죄를 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this fifty-fourth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning this world right or wrong.”

Right: making kids laugh happily in class.

Wrong: making a kid cry because I was trying to be “fair” and wanted him to finish his homework.

Teaching seems like a constant effort to walk a path you can’t see in front of you.

“I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning this world high or low.”

This is #52 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
50. 나만을 생각하여 꽃과 나무를 함부로 자르는 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to cut trees and flowers randomly [by] thinking of only myself.”
51. 이 세상을 많고 적음으로 분별하며 살아온 죄를 참회하며 절합니다.
       “I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning this world, more or less.”
52. 이 세상을 높고 낮음으로 분별하며 살아온 죄를 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this fifty-second affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning this world high or low.”

This gave me a little bit of insight to the previous one, too – I made a small adjustment to the translation of that one (just in word order, to capture the developing parllelism). It doesn’t work perfectly – I still can’t quite see what the implied subject is for “more or less” and “high or low.”

“I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning, more or less, this world.”

This is #51 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
49. 나만을 생각하여 산과 바다를 더럽히며 살아 온 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty the mountains and the sea [by] thinking of only myself.”
50. 나만을 생각하여 꽃과 나무를 함부로 자르는 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to cut trees and flowers randomly [by] thinking of only myself.”
51. 이 세상을 많고 적음으로 분별하며 살아온 죄를 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this fifty-first affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any misdeeds lived and discerning, more or less, this world.”

I’m not really comfortable with this translation. I may think of a revision, but it’s the best I can come up with, for now. I’m not liking the “more or less” (which is “많고 적음으로”) – literally, it might be “by means of being more and being less.” What (or who) is being more and less? The implied subject (I)? The discernment? The object (this world)? The living of the following clause? Well, anyway.

More or less.

“I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to cut trees and flowers randomly [by] thinking of only myself.”

This is #50 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
48. 나만을 생각하여 하늘과 땅을 더럽히며 살아 온 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty heaven and earth [by] thinking of only myself.”
49. 나만을 생각하여 산과 바다를 더럽히며 살아 온 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty the mountains and the sea [by] thinking of only myself.”
50. 나만을 생각하여 꽃과 나무를 함부로 자르는 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this fiftieth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to cut trees and flowers randomly [by] thinking of only myself.”

This strikes me as a “stewardship” message, useful for environmentally aware thinking.

“I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty the mountains and the sea [by] thinking of only myself.”

This is #49 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
47. 세상의 물을 더럽히며 살아 온 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty the world’s water.”
48. 나만을 생각하여 하늘과 땅을 더럽히며 살아 온 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty heaven and earth [by] thinking of only myself.”
49. 나만을 생각하여 산과 바다를 더럽히며 살아 온 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this forty-ninth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty the mountains and the sea [by] thinking of only myself.”

This is really a repeat of the last one, with the nouns-to-be-dirtied switched out.

Speaking of dirtied mountains and sea, today is the 21st anniversary of the day I signed the paperwork in which I joined the US Army.

“I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty the world’s water.”

This is #47 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
45. 내가 살고있는 지구를 생각하지 않은 것을 참회하며 절합니다.
       “I bow in repentance of not thinking about the world in which I live.”
46. 세상의 공기를 더럽히며 살아 온 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty the world’s air.”
47. 세상의 물을 더럽히며 살아 온 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this forty-seventh affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty the world’s water.”

Simple substitution: air -> water. As when I was living in Mexico, in Korea, I trust the water more than the air, generally speaking. The day was beautiful and sunny today, though.

“I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty the world’s air.”

This is #46 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
44. 삼생의 모든 인연들을 위해 지극한 마음으로 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance with a sincere heart, taking care of all ties to past lives.”
45. 내가 살고있는 지구를 생각하지 않은 것을 참회하며 절합니다.
       “I bow in repentance of not thinking about the world in which I live.”
46. 세상의 공기를 더럽히며 살아 온 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this forty-sixth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity which comes alive to dirty the world’s air.”

This is more of that “purity narrative,” of course, which is perhaps one of the aspects of Buddhist thinking that I find least appealing.  The metaphorical relation between concepts of cleanness and moral or virtuous behavior is, of course, almost universal in ethical systems, but I think that overthinking these kinds of purity-obsessed metaphors is insiduous vis-a-vis a social system’s ability to promote tolerance of otherness and difference. I have a lot of ideas on the topic, but I’ve never done very well at setting them down in writing – most notably, during my 10 day Vipassana retreat in December, 2009, I tried to develop this thinking and failed miserably.

“I bow in repentance of not thinking about the world in which I live.”

This is #45 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
43. 내 생각만 옳다는 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe through only my thoughts.”
44. 삼생의 모든 인연들을 위해 지극한 마음으로 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance with a sincere heart, taking care of all ties to past lives.”
45. 내가 살고있는 지구를 생각하지 않은 것을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this forty-fifth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of not thinking about the world in which I live.”

Wow. I actually had no problem understanding this. I didn’t look any words up – I just wrote the translation, confidently. I’m either making some small progress, or else I got lucky and got an “easy” one. Or may this is one area where I might, in fact, have an opposite problem – I spend far too much time thinking about the world in which I live. It’s like a giant academic puzzle.

“I bow in repentance with a sincere heart, taking care of all ties to past lives.”

This is #44 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
42. 내 몸으로받은 느낌만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
       “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by feeling only [the sensations] of my body.”
43. 내 생각만 옳다는 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe through only my thoughts.”
44. 삼생의 모든 인연들을 위해 지극한 마음으로 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this forty-fourth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance with a sincere heart, taking care of all ties to past lives.”

I don’t believe in past lives. Perhaps I could view this as repenting my ties to history, a la a sort of Foucauldian geneology of ideologies.

“I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe through only my thoughts.”

This is #43 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
41. 내 입으로 맛 본 것만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
       “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by only trying tastes with my mouth.”
42. 내 몸으로받은 느낌만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
       “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by feeling only [the sensations] of my body.”
43. 내 생각만 옳다는 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this forty-third affirmation as:  “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe through only my thoughts.”

Most of my stupidity arises in this way – I think of stupid things. I’m much more likely to give credence to my own stupid ideas than to those of others.

“I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by feeling only [the sensations] of my body.”

This is #42 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
40. 내 코로 맡은 냄새만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by only following the smells my nose finds.”
41. 내 입으로 맛 본 것만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
       “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by only trying tastes with my mouth.”
42. 내 몸으로받은 느낌만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this forty-second affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by feeling only [the sensations] of my body.”

Is this related to the fact that today (Wednesday) is staff volleyball day? I definitely feel stupid, through the sensations of my body, when I try to play volleyball.

“I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by only trying tastes with my mouth.”

This is #41 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
39. 내 귀로들은 것만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by my own ears to be right.”
40. 내 코로 맡은 냄새만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by only following the smells my nose finds.”
41. 내 입으로 맛 본 것만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this forty-first affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by only trying tastes with my mouth.”

Ok. So I’m a wannabe foodie. But my laziness mostly trumps my fooditude. So I’ll repent that instead?

“I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by my own ears to be right.”

This is #39 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
37. 집착하는 마음과 말과 행동을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all actions and words and heart that cling.”
38. 내 눈으로 본 것만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe in my own eyes to be right.”
39. 내 귀로들은 것만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this thirty-ninth affirmation as:  “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe by my own ears to be right.”

Monkey see.  Monkey hear.

Hi monkey.

“I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe in my own eyes to be right.”

This is #38 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
36. 어리석은 행동으로 악연이 될 수있는 인연에게 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any ties that can become an evil destiny through stupid talk.”
37. 집착하는 마음과 말과 행동을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all actions and words and heart that cling.”
38. 내 눈으로 본 것만 옳다고 생각한 어리석음을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this thirty-eighth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of all the stupidity that I believe in my own eyes to be right.”

Wow. And how do I identify my own stupidity if I believe it is right? I guess that’s why it’s about repentance, not prevention.

“I bow in repentance of all actions and words and heart that cling.”

This is #37 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
35. 어리석은 말로 상대방이 잘못되는 악연을 참회하며 절합니다.
       “I bow in repentance of any ties to the mistakes made by others because of their foolish talk.”
36. 어리석은 행동으로 악연이 될 수있는 인연에게 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any ties that can become an evil destiny through stupid talk.”
37. 집착하는 마음과 말과 행동을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this thirty-seventh affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of all actions and words and heart that cling.”

“I bow in repentance of any stupid thoughts [that are] the seeds of evil.”

This is #34 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
32. 한갓 취미나 즐거움으로 다른 생명을 희생시키는 일을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any sacrifice of the lives of others [in pursuit] of mere pasttime or pleasure.”
33. 오직 나만을 생각하는 것을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of thinking only of myself.”
34. 악연의 씨가되는 어리석은 생각을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this thirty-fourth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any stupid thoughts [that are] the seeds of evil.”

Stupid thoughts. Huh-huh.

“I bow in repentance of any sacrifice of the lives of others [in pursuit] of mere pasttime or pleasure.”

This is #32 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
30. 거짓말과 갖가지 위선을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all kinds of hypocrisy and lies.”
31. 남의 것을 훔치는 생각과 행동을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any thought or action of stealing another’s things.”
32. 한갓 취미나 즐거움으로 다른 생명을 희생시키는 일을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this thirty-second affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any sacrifice of the lives of others [in pursuit] of mere pasttime or pleasure.”

Yeah. Bad idea.

“I bow in repentance of any thought or action of stealing another’s things.”

This is #31 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
29. 비겁한 생각과 말과 행동을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of cowardly thoughts, words and actions.”
30. 거짓말과 갖가지 위선을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of all kinds of hypocrisy and lies.”
31. 남의 것을 훔치는 생각과 행동을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this thirty-first affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any thought or action of stealing another’s things.”

Stealing. I once stole a book. From a library. Should I confess this, online, in front of the world?

It wasn’t an act of avarice – I don’t have much problem with avarice.  It was an act of pique – I was angry at the library because they had charged me a fine for stealing (or “losing”) a book that I had most definitely returned. It was an act of revenge, I suppose. So I’ll bow in repentance of thoughts and actions of vengeance and pique.

“I bow in repentance of all kinds of hypocrisy and lies.”

This is #30 out of a series of 108 daily Buddhist affirmations that I am attempting to translate with my hands tied behind my back (well not really that, but I’m deliberately not seeking out translations on the internet, using only dictionary and grammar).

…
28. 무시 함으로 인해 악연이 된 인연들에게 참회하며 절합니다.
         “I bow in repentance of the ties that become like an evil destiny due to ignorance .”
29. 비겁한 생각과 말과 행동을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of cowardly thoughts, words and actions.”
30. 거짓말과 갖가지 위선을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this thirtieth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of all kinds of hypocrisy and lies.”

I have a big issue with hypocrisy. So much so, that in fact I have, over the years, tried to get better at ignoring it, for the world is full of hypocrisy. Being guilty of various kinds of hypocrisy myself at one moment or another, I think that disliking or repenting of hypocrisy might be a sort of hypocrisy, too. Complicated, the ways of guilt. Is that what this is about?