A Whole Life Is Contained in One Thought
In the teaching of Hwaeom, there is the meaning that all things are contained in one, and one is contained in all things. Even a single speck of dust contains the principle of the whole world, and even one drop of water contains the nature of the sea.
One thought in our mind is not a small matter. When one thought is clear, it continues into speech and action and changes the direction of the day. Conversely, when one thought becomes clouded, a small moment can lead to great suffering.
A day is like this as well. If we live one day well, a month changes; as months gather, a year changes; and as years gather, they become a life. The mind that does not treat a single moment carelessly is the beginning of practice.
Of course, setting just one thought well does not mean everything is immediately complete. Yet without setting the mind of this present moment upright, even long practice cannot go far. A large life is made within small moments.
Today, may we not take one thought lightly, but set the mind arising in this moment clearly and uprightly.
Just as a single speck of dust contains the principle of the whole world, one thought contains the direction of a life. A day is made of gathered moments. Today, please look clearly and uprightly at the one thought arising now.
