■ Nature and the mind, in harmony without disturbance At the foot of Mt. Jiri’s Ungseokbong, there is Suseonsa, a temple that purifies the mind. About 30 years ago, this place, which was a terraced field in the mountains, was transformed into a beautiful temple called ‘Suseonsa’ by Monk Yeo-gyeong. The monk who lives as a gardener discovers the beauty of each and reveals its existence by moving trees, grass, and stones to their proper places... The monk’s philosophy is that when nature and the mind are in harmony without disturbance, the truth is revealed. Thanks to this, Suseonsa has become a famous place where not only the living things but also those who visit naturally exchange beautiful minds. A resting space for those who are weary of heart to reflect on their lives - Suseonsa has natural ponds of various sizes scattered throughout the place that used to be full of water, adding to the beauty of the serene temple. In particular, the pond with the letter “心” (heart) is a space that fully reveals the meaning of the monk’s dharma name, “Yeo-gyeong,” which means “to reflect the mind, understand all things, and live like a mirror.” The humor of Monk Yeo-gyeong, who says that the highest-flying bird is “posture” and the greatest path is “attitude,” contains the philosophy of the monk who has consistently cultivated the Buddha’s temple with a bright and clear mind over the years, emphasizing posture and attitude. ■ There is nothing in the world that is not practice The only monk at Suseonsa Temple is the head monk, Monk Yeo-gyeong. There are no food donors or landscapers. From cleaning ditches to working on the pond wearing boots, to mowing the lawn and pulling out weeds… everything is practice. The meals he prepares himself with sewing and vegetables harvested from the garden are said to be the foresight of his mother, who foresaw the monk’s future as he would live alone. Monk Yeo-gyeong says that if he does all that work with a negative mind, it is better not to do it at all. Just as there is no breath between breath and non-breath for a person, everything he does from dawn is joyful practice for the monk. Thanks to that heart, even though the temple work keeps piling up, the monk always lives as an excited practitioner. The monk’s diligent heart of doing his best wherever he is connected is reflected everywhere in the daily philosophy of Suseonsa Temple, which is all the more cheerful and exciting. ■ A life of accepting as it flows The life of the sea, simply accepting things as they are. Monk Yeo-gyeong realized the teachings of water too early. The misfortune that struck Monk Yeo-gyeong like a typhoon during his military service led Monk Yeo-gyeong to the path of a disciple of Buddha. While Monk Yeo-gyeong was serving in the military, his younger sister, who had to endure the deaths of her mother and older brother alone at a young age, became a nun first after her mother’s 49th day memorial service. The siblings, who experienced the futility of life at a very young age, wore monk’s robes together. Monk Yeo-gyeong realized on that path how to live as it is, accepting and letting go. He says that if you don’t follow your thoughts but instead collect them, the twists and turns of life and pain will not be obstacles but stepping stones for you to move forward. A monk who thinks that people do not know how good and thankful the present is when things are so peaceful and smooth. Happiness is not far away, and it is not a mirage in the sky. Right now, this moment is the most precious and happiest moment. ■ I want to live like the wind that is not caught in a net. Monk Yeo-gyeong buries a sparrow that has died after crashing into a window and prays for its rebirth in paradise, and cheers for the birth of new life by posting notices to protect the nest in a mailbox where a magpie has made a nest. Even while thinning out lotus roots, the monk personally practices the principle of moderation by moving and scattering them so that they do not overflow. Is that why? The harmony of nature and various living things at Suseonsa Temple is like a living and breathing sermon. 'When our hearts are right, the world is right. When we accept things as they are and look at the world with a good heart and good eyes, the world becomes equal.' Monk Yeo-gyeong thinks. If we listen to the monk's philosophy in the monk's beautiful garden and dwell in Suseonsa Temple for a moment, can we also live as carefree as the wind that is not caught in a net? Natural Human Documentary Philosophers of Nature - Episode 58 'Like the wind that is not caught in a net' Broadcast on May 26, 2023 #PhilosophersofNature #Jirisan #Suseonsa