one flower

at breakfast Dae Kwang Soen Sa asks me to represent the west coast at the conference. “one word, one action, only that!” I want to read a poem but it’s more than one word. when I am finally announced at the altar I hold up one flower then hand it to Fo Yuen the abbot all I can say is “kwan-se-um bosal” later I ask Soen Sa “how come I was the only one to say one word and do one action?” Soen Sa said; “because you’re perfect.” of course, don’t check only smile.

October 10, 1996 Royal Regent Hotel, P.R.C.