Category: The 108

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that nature is our teacher.”

This is #77 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).

…
75. 자연에 순응하면 몸과 마음이 편안하다는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the tranquility of body and mind as they accommodate [the demands of] nature.”
76. 자연이 생명 순환의 법칙이라는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that nature follows the law of life cycles.”
77. 자연이 우리들의 스승이라는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this seventy-seventh affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that nature is our teacher.”

There are pigeons that keep crashing into my windows. What are they trying to teach me?

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the tranquility of body and mind as they accommodate [the demands of] nature.”

This is #75 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).

…
73. 새싹들의 강인함을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the tenacity of a sprouting plant.”
74. 무지개의 황홀함을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the ecstacy of rainbows.”
75. 자연에 순응하면 몸과 마음이 편안하다는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this seventy-fifth affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the tranquility of body and mind as they accommodate [the demands of] nature.”

Not feeling particular tranquility lately.

There were some nice thunderstorms yesterday and last night.

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the ecstasy of rainbows.”

This is #74 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).

…
72. 시냇물 소리의 시원함을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the brightness of a running brook’s sound.”
73. 새싹들의 강인함을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the tenacity of a sprouting plant.”
74. 무지개의 황홀함을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this seventy-fourth affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the ecstasy of rainbows.”

That sounds like it should be a poem. 

I have been doing nothing but working. I didn’t see a rainbow.

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the tenacity of a sprouting plant.”

This is #73 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).

…
71. 바람 소리의 평화로움을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the peacefulness of the wind.”
72. 시냇물 소리의 시원함을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the brightness of a running brook’s sound.”
73. 새싹들의 강인함을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this seventy-third affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the tenacity of a sprouting plant.”

I need more tenacity.

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the brightness of a running brook’s sound.”

This is #72 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).

…
70. 새 소리의 맑음을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the serenity of birdsong.”
71. 바람 소리의 평화로움을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the peacefulness of the wind.”
72. 시냇물 소리의 시원함을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this seventy-second affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the brightness of a running brook’s sound.”

시원함 should really be something like “refreshingness,” and the source verb is oftentimes translated as “to be cool,” but I didn’t like either of these. I chose “brightness.” “Cool” seems especially inapt – since hot soup can be 시원하다, too. It’s all in the effect it has on you. The word 시원하다 has a lot of meanings, and is very common, but translating it is difficult. It could also be “to be restful” or “to be relieved” or “to be unburdened.” It can apply to anything: a cool drink, hot soup, a breeze, a view, a forest path, a babbling brook, a loud political speech, a torturous confession.

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the peacefulness of the wind.”

This is #71 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).

…

69. 생명들의 신비로움을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
       “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that life is magical.”

70. 새 소리의 맑음을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the serenity of birdsong.”

71. 바람 소리의 평화로움을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this seventy-first affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware of the peacefulness of the wind.”

I like these recent affirmations a lot more than the ones before. They’re zennier.

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that life is magical.”

This is #69 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).

…
67. 나와 남이 하나임을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that I and others are one.”
68. 세상의 아름다움을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that the world is beautiful.”
69. 생명들의 신비로움을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this sixty-ninth affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that life is magical.”

The word “신비로움” [sin-bi-ro-um] is normally “mystery,” but the verb from which it derives can also mean “to be amazing” or “to be magical” and I decided to go with an unconventional translation here because I liked the idea of trying to sound a little bit poetic. “Life being magical” sounds more interesting than “life’s mysteries” – or in any event, less cliched.

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that the world is beautiful.”

This is #68 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).

…
66. 모든 생명은 우주의 이치 속에서 살아간다는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that all life is living within the principles of the universe.”
67. 나와 남이 하나임을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that I and others are one.”
68. 세상의 아름다움을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this sixty-eighth affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that the world is beautiful.”

This is my favorite affirmation so far.

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that all life is living within the principles of the universe.”

This is #66 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).

…
64. 모든 생명은 하나로 연결되어있다는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that all life is connected as one.”
65. 모든 생명은 소통과 교감이 이루어진다는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that all life is achieved through communication and sympathy.”
66. 모든 생명은 우주의 이치 속에서 살아간다는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다

I would read this sixty-sixth affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that all life is living within the principles of the universe.”

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that all life is achieved through communication and sympathy.”

This is #65 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).

…
63. 승가에 귀의하게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the [Buddha’s] Priesthood.”
64. 모든 생명은 하나로 연결되어있다는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that all life is connected as one.”
65. 모든 생명은 소통과 교감이 이루어진다는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this sixty-fifth affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that all life is achieved through communication and sympathy.”

“Communication and sympathy” above is the subject of the verb achieve, while “all life” is a topic, and it’s hard to put that together with the lack of an object. So I kind of messed around with the verb roles a little bit. 

“I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that all life is connected as one.”

This is #64 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).

…
62. 부처님의 법에 귀의하게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the Buddha’s Dharma.”
63. 승가에 귀의하게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the [Buddha’s] Priesthood.”
64. 모든 생명은 하나로 연결되어있다는 것을 알게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this sixty-fourth affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become aware that all life is connected as one.”

“I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the [Buddha’s] Priesthood.”

This is #63 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).

…

61. 부처님께 귀의하게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the Buddha.”

62. 부처님의 법에 귀의하게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the Buddha’s Dharma.”

63. 승가에 귀의하게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this sixty-third affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the [Buddha’s] Priesthood.”

More and more, I think the “become converted to” should actually be translated as a simple “embrace.” But whatever translation is used, it should be consistent in the affirmations where it’s used from #61 onward.

Up to this point, I had – through the miracle of cut-and-paste – developed the habit of repeating all the previous affirmations. But it was getting out of hand – the posts get quite long, and probably mean absolutely nothing to most of my readers, except giving the blog a kind of cluttery feel. So I’ve repented that repetitiveness. Instead, I’ve created a new category “The 108” which I will use to allow those interested in viewing all these affirmations together, and I will only repeat the two most recent previous affirmations in each post. I will take the time to go back and edit out the repetitiveness in the previous posts, eventually. [UPDATE: as indeed came to pass…]

“I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the Buddha’s Dharma.”

This is #62 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).

…
60. 죄를 지은 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.
         “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward guilty people.”
61. 부처님께 귀의하게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.
        “I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the Buddha.”
62. 부처님의 법에 귀의하게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this sixty-second affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the Buddha’s Dharma.”
Just add dharma (법 [beop = “law, rule”]).

“I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the Buddha.”

This is #61 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).

…
59. 외로운 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.
        “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward lonely people.”
60. 죄를 지은 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.
         “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward guilty people.”
61. 부처님께 귀의하게되어 감사한 마음으로 절합니다.

I would read this sixty-first affirmation as: “I bow with a thankful heart and become converted to the Buddha.”

I was dreading #61 because the syntactic pattern changes completely, but it wasn’t too bad. I’m unsure whether the “-게되어” is a causative, a passive, or some other type of structure, so I’m not sure about the “become converted” part – it could be a much simpler “embrace.”

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

This is #60 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).

…

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

60. 죄를 지은 사람에 대한 자비심의 부족함을 참회하며 절합니다.

I would read this sixtieth affirmation as: “I bow in repentance of any insufficiency [in showing] mercy toward guilty people.”

Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty…

“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.