1. Be humble!
For English readers
This piece has been published before. If you have already read it, please feel free to skip it. As “My Five Years of Cultivation in the U.S.” is likely to continue, I am now compiling these writings into a Brunch Book, and I appreciate your understanding.
I returned to my home country in September 2025.
It felt less like simply “going back” and more like being sent back, after bringing to a close five years of cultivation in the United States.
Before returning, during lunchtime at the dining hall of Wei Mountain Temple in Los Angeles, Ven. XianTong prepared delicious meals for me every day, knowing I would soon be leaving for Korea. That day, she made vegan burgers, and everyone was happily devouring them.
As I ate, I thought about how, once I returned to Korea, I hoped to visit a few elder sunims to pay my respects and let them know I had returned safely. So I asked Master for permission.
Master replied,
“Sure, why not.”
“Thank you, Master,” I said.
I took another big bite of my burger, savoring it—
and then I heard Master speak again.
“When you return to Korea and visit other temples, follow their customs.”
“Yes, Master.”
He continued,
“Always ask yourself:
Are you a Korean sunim, or an American sunim?”
(Hmm… I am a Korean sunim… right?)
“Always ask yourself!
Are you spreading my Dharma, or your own Dharma?”
(Ah!)
“Yes, Master…”
All the venerables, who had been noisily enjoying their burgers just moments before, quietly put them down. The room grew solemn.
I realized then that he was cautioning me in advance—concerned that once I returned to Korea, I might forget the spirit I had learned from him in America and become arrogant.
“The spirit of American Mahayana is humility.
Be humble.”
“Yes, Master!”
Brief, yet stern.
Be humble.
He admonished a foolish disciple so that she would not become even more foolish. I was deeply grateful.
I forget many things easily, but these words have been engraved in my heart.
If you ever see even the slightest trace of pride or arrogance in me,
please say to me:
“Be humble.”
Paying respects to Master Z, the resident abbot, before leaving Wei Mountain Temple in the U.S.