Ten Guides Along The Path

 

("Powang Sammaeron")

1. Why hope for perfect health? Perfect health leads only to greater greed. "Treat illness as medicine, not disease" - so spoke the Awakened One.

2. Why long for a life free from hardship? Such a life leads only to haughtiness and self-pampering. "Make worries and hardships a way of life" - so spoke the Awakened One.

3. Why hope for a lack of impediments in your study? "Release is hiding right behind obstructions" - so spoke the Awakened One.

4. Why hope for a lack of temptations in your training? A lack of temptations will only serve to soften your resolve. "Treat temptations as friends who are helping you along the way" - so spoke the Awakened One.

5. Why hope for easy success? Easy accomplishment leads only to increased rashness. "Accomplish through difficulties" - so spoke the Awakened One.

6. Why hope to get your way with friends? Having friends, give in to your wishes only leads to arrogance. "Make long-term friends through compromise in your relationships" - so spoke the Awakened One.

7. Why expect people to follow your wishes or commands? This too, leads to arrogence. "Consider those who differ with you to be your character builders" - so spoke the Awakened One.

8. Why expect rewards for your kindness? This leads only to a scheming mind. "Throw out the expectation of rewards like you'd throw out old shoes" - so spoke the Awakened One.

9. Why expect more out of life than you deserve? Exaggerated profit-seeking leads only to foolishness. "Become rich at heart with small amounts" - so spoke the Awakened One.

ww 10. Why complain about vexations? This leads only to resentment and poison in the heart. "Consider vexations as the first door on the path" - so spoke the Awakened One.


From Korean Zen Buddhism