Monk-poet Hyesim's 'Magnolia & Lotus'
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By Choi Yearn-hong
At my age, I have been very fortunate to be able to read ``Magnolia and Lotus: Selected Poems by Hyesim.’’ Some readers might know Hyesim as Mueuija, a man who did not wear any clothes. I am an old Korean poet, but had never been exposed to Hyesim before. This poetry book then, enlightened me a great deal. I am grateful to two translators and the publisher. Hyesim (1178-1234) was the first Zen Master dedicated to poetry in Korea; the tradition of Zen Buddhist poetry is frequently considered by Korean literary critics to have begun with his writing. The term “Zen” is a Japanese word, so it might not be the best word for Hyesim. However, the Korean ``Seon’’ is less well known than Zen to the Western world. The Chinese word “Chan” has the same meaning as the Korean Seon and Japanese Zen.
Hyesim’s secular name was Choe Sik, born in Hwasun, South Jeolla Province. He studied Confucianism and Buddhism and became a scholar-literati as well as a high-level government official on his mother’s wishes. After his mother passed away, he entered a Buddhist temple to start his long-cherished life as a monk. He received the title, Seon Master from Goryeo King Gojong in 1213. Three years later, he received title Grand Seon Master from the king. He was recognized as the highest monk of the so-called Buddhist Dynasty, Jingakkuksa.
The first and second poems in the book already attracted me to Hyesim. I never knew of him or his poems before. Such attractive, peaceful and beautiful poems!
Leaving Home to Enter the Priesthood
I have longed for the School of the Void,
to learn with my mind of ashes to sit in Seon.
Fame is fragile as a clay rice-cake steamer ―
even after success, the effort for fame has been in vain.
Riches and honors, sought uselessly ―
the poor also have this affliction.
I have left my village home
and sleep calmly under pines.
Spring Day on a Mountain Retreat
A sublime day of blossoms _
Strolling, my mind embraces complacency.
On a sun-drenched hill, I pick fern brake _
In a shadowed valley, I seek ornamental stones, and a wellspring.
Water drips from a marbled mountainside; mist dissipates _
Azaleas line a stream; their royal petals low among pines.
I sing a cheerful song ―
Walking, I love the quiet solitude.
The translators organized Hyesim’s poems into four categories: the rules of Seon Buddhism and self-discipline; the representation and enjoyment of nature; an interest in a topic or object that expands into the understanding of Buddhist practice; and accepting and responding to reality, works that tell of life as it is. The first two poems quoted above belong to the first category, but they overwhelm me, I am not a religious person. All are beautiful reflecting his mind and nature, or “no mind” inside nature. Another short poem in the first group is:
To My Reflection
I sit alone by a pond,
see a monk at the bottom.
Silently we smile at one another ―
I know his voice will not respond.
This short poem may well represent his happiness and his world of Seon. All modern men and women can find peace in Hyesim’s poems that cure anxiety more effectively than any anti-depressant medicines. You don’t need to be a Buddhist to enjoy this poetry book. You can imagine you are a poet-monk in the 13th century, but you remain as a man or a woman in the 21st century. We all can appreciate Hyesim’s life 1,000 years ago in a small country, named Goryeo. Poetry is his life, letters and way of communication with Buddha, friends, and neighbors. As a modern day poet, I appreciate this poetry book as guidance for my meditation. I am sure that I will read this poetry book often for my journey to peace and solitude. This poetry book is comparable to Lao Tzu’s ``Tao Te Ching.’’
The translators defined Hyesim, a distinctive product of his time, a delicate balance of Buddhism and Confucianism, two different philosophical principles of society then. He advocated Confucianism, as an ethical standard of conduct and Buddhism, as a way of salvation and spiritual tranquility. Modern men and women need such balance in their lives between or among the complex web of different ideologies, rights and wrongs, and pluralistic truths.
The author is a retired college professor after a long teaching career in the U.S. and Korea. He now resides in the Washington area.