Haju Sunim‘s Dharma Talk (3 of 5) from the Farm Retreat 2026
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In this third installment of Haju Sunim's Dharma Talk from the 2026 Farm Retreat, the Zen teacher reflects on interbeing, the interconnectedness of all life, and the profound responsibility of practitioners within that web. Drawing from the Avatamsaka Sutra and the metaphor of Indra's Net—where every jewel reflects all others—Sunim emphasizes that individual awakening is inseparable from collective liberation. He underscores the importance of sincere, embodied practice, using animal archetypes like the brooding hen, the watchful cat, and the faithful dog to illustrate unwavering focus and heart-centered dedication. Sunim also invites listeners to awaken not just intellectually, but through the 'salt of earth' ordinary human experience, embracing imperfection as sacred. The talk closes with a call to deepen practice through gratitude, curiosity, and the courage to 'wake down' into the body, reminding participants that their practice serves not only themselves but countless others, including those suffering at Paju’s home. The tone is warm, reflective, and deeply encouraging.
Awakening is not separate from the world—realizing interbeing means recognizing that every action ripples through the entire web of existence.
Sincere practice requires the focused dedication of a hen brooding eggs, a cat watching prey, or a dog loyal to its master—total presence from the heart.
True spiritual practice is not just mental; it demands 'waking down' into the body, where Buddha nature is lived, not just thought.
The ordinary, imperfect human being—the 'salt of earth'—is already sacred; awakening is not about becoming something new, but recognizing what’s already here.
Our practice benefits not only ourselves but all beings, especially those suffering, making every moment of mindfulness a form of service.
The Disruption of Connection
Sunim begins by reflecting on being unsettled by news of Jossi from Sinha, which disrupted his prepared thoughts, setting the stage for a meditation on presence and interconnection.
The Web of Interbeing: Indra's Net
“If you just touch one bit of the net, probably energetically, it affects the whole rest of the net.”
Awakening Through Sincere Practice
“Like a hen brooding on her eggs, like a cat watching a mouse, like a hungry person thinking of food.”
The Sacredness of the Ordinary
“The ordinary human being. Perfectly imperfect. Sometimes I call that person salt of earth.”
Practice as Service and Presence
Sunim concludes by urging practitioners to deepen their practice not just for themselves, but for others, especially those suffering, and to stay present through gratitude and curiosity.
“If you just touch one bit of the net, probably energetically, it affects the whole rest of the net.”
“Like a hen brooding on her eggs, like a cat watching a mouse, like a hungry person thinking of food.”
“The ordinary human being. Perfectly imperfect. Sometimes I call that person salt of earth.”
Host
Haju Sunim
person
Kusan Sunim
person
Avatamsaka Sutra
other
Indra's Net
other
Parmi
other
Diamond Sutra
other
Moni
other
Paju
person
The Way of Korean Zen
book
Arbor
other
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