로터스본문2011다시 2010.12.28 5:33 PM 페이지1
otus L ANTERN L Vol.44 로터스본문2011다시 2010.12.28 5:33 PM 페이지2
All the happiness in the world Contents Comes from wanting happiness for others. All the suffering in the world Comes from wanting only one’s own happiness. Winter 2010 - Shantideva -
Supreme Patriarch Most Venerable Beopjeon Sunim
President & Publisher Most Venerable Jaseung Sunim
Editor Ven. Hyekyung Sunim 02 Jogye Order FeatureⅠ 02 Ven. Jaseung Visits America Contributing Editor Ven. Yongsu Sunim 06 Jogye Order FeatureⅡ 06 Korean Temple Food Experience Event held at New York Art Director Jogye Order Publishing 10 ReportⅠ 10 13th Korea, China, Japan Buddhist Goodwill Conference in Wuxi, 10 China on October 19 Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism 45 Gyeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea 12 ReportⅡ TEL. (82)2-2011-1830 12 Jogye Order International Seon Center Opens FAX. (82)2-735-0614 Email: [email protected] 16 ReportⅢ www.buddhism.or.kr 16 Jogye Order to Host 2012 WFB Conference www.koreanbuddhism.net(English) 18 Engaged Buddhism Free Subscription available for Buddhist 18 organizations. Jogye Order Continues Tradition of Offering Coal Briquettes to the Poor Please send organization name and mailing 20 Focus address to : 20 [email protected] 30 Year Anniversary of October 27 Incident
23 Cartoon
24 Dharma Ⅰ 24 Everyday Korean Buddhist Practices
26 Dharma Ⅱ 26 Zen and the Art of Robbery
28 Korean Buddhism Highlight 28 15 Virtues of Korean Buddhism
| Cover 30 Jogye Order News Bulguksa ⓒDonghaksa 로터스본문2011다시 2010.12.28 5:33 PM 페이지2
The Jogye Order has great interest in these two fields.” Ven. Jaseung also requested the UN’s continued interest in these pursuits. Secretary Ban also discussed his connection to Buddhism in the meeting, which lasted over 30 minutes. He said his mother prays constantly and he himself went to Beopjusa Temple to study for his examination.
Jogye Order Signs Accord with UNESCO Ven. Jaseung Meets Director Irina Bokova
en. Jaseung visited UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova at V UNESCO in Manhattan, New York on September 20 to hold a signing ceremony of an accord on protecting children in impoverished nations. The Jogye Order and UNESCO agreed to continue cooperation in the promotion of world peace and the cultural development of impoverished nations. The details will be followed up by the UNESCO Korea Committee and the Jogye Order Department of Social Affairs. On this day, Ven. Jaseung presented UNESCO a donation of $400,000 USD for relief aid in Haiti. Ven. Jaseung Ven. Jaseung said, “We had various approaches to help Haiti such as building a school, but we made the donation to UNESCO because we thought it was a more effective use of the money. Irina Bokova said, Giving directly this donation to UNESCO is a sign of the trust Visits America you have in UNESCO. We will use this money for the Haiti children with humble and diligent service. We will also let the Haiti government know of this contribution. I’m very grateful for this symbol of philanthropy.”
Ven. Jaseung Visits UN
ogye Order President Ven. Jaseung visited UN Secretary General Ban Ki-mun at the UN headquarters in NewYork Dharma Service held at Flushing J to discuss world peace. dharma service was held at Flushing, New York with over Secretary Ban said, “I’m happy that you have come to America to plan good works in relation to Korean Buddhism. A 1000 in attendance on September 19. This was sponsored by I’m grateful for the great contribution to world peace and unity by the Korean Buddhist community.” Ven. Jaseung the Korean American Sangha Association and the New York Korean said to the Secretary General, “I was happy and proud to hear of your efforts in international relief and world peace. Temples Association.
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Jogye Order Feature Ⅰ
Ven. Jaseung said in his dharma talk, “Buddhism is a faith and teaching to tame the mind. More powerful than a The professors said that they will do their best to assist in promulgating Korean Buddhism within American society Roman soldier’s sword is the faith of Koreans. A Buddhist is one who believes, follows, and carries out the Buddha’s and academia. They also expressed their wish for American students go to Korea and study at the Jogye Order. teachings.” Ven. Jaseung also gave out gifts during the service. There were over 20 ovations during his address.
Following the dharma service, there was an awards ceremony for Jo Il-hwan, Dongguk University honorary professor and Kim Jeong-kwang, the first president of the New York Laity Association for their contribution to the Ven. Jaseung Spends Chuseok at Borisa Temple promotion of Korean Buddhism and the development of the Buddhist community. en. Jaseung also spent Chuseok (Korean Harvest Festival) at Borisa Temple in New Jersey on September 22 V with representatives from the Jogye Order, Korean temple food preparation team, members from Office of Culture and Tourism, the press team, and employees of a travel agency. After a ceremony, Ven. Jaseung spoke to the Ven. Jaseung Visits Columbia University Borisa Temple members over refreshments. L
en. Jaseung visited Columbia University for a meeting with professors and students from the Department of East V Asian Studies on September 20. Robert Heims, the Dean of the Department of East Asian Studies; Charles Armstrong, Professor of Korean Modern History; Haboush Jahyun Kim, Professor of Korean History; Bernard Fau, Professor of Japanese Buddhism; Chun-fang Yu, Professor of Chinese Buddhism; Michael Como, Professor of Japanese Buddhism; and students met with Ven. Jaseung to exchange ideas.
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Jogye Order Feature Ⅱ
“Korean Temple Food Experience” held at New York
he Jogye Order held “Korean Temple Food Experience” event in T Manhattan, New York on September 20 with over 500 in attendance. The media along with many renowned artists, chefs, and celebrities attended to taste Korean food, which has a 1700 year-old tradition. Ven. Jaseung and his visiting team attended along with Yoo Sun-taek, the wife of Ban Ki-mun and New York Consul General, Kim Yeong-mok.
Several nuns and one monk, renowned for their culinary skills, personally prepared the temple food. Mr. Jeong Jae-deok (a chef for Baru, the Jogye Order vegetarian restaurant) and Hwang Ji-hee (Korean Traditional Temple Food Research Team) also contributed to the preparation.
There were 43 different dishes such as sushi, lotus leaf wrapped rice,
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Jogye Order Feature Ⅱ
and persimmon kimchi. All dishes were 100% vegetarian. Most dishes were very simple without a lot of spices. Even the colors were natural to give a modest appearance. The general response from the New York participants was very positive, often repeating the word, “wonderful.” Although many participants were not vegetarian, everyone seemed to enjoy the clean and fresh taste of Korean temple food. Mathew Conway, a food importer said, “I agree (with temple food philosophy) with thinking about where the food comes from, what we put into our body, and how it affects the environment.”
Department Head at CIA, the American culinary school, Brad Bonds said, “Korean temple food is very appealing because of the long history and interesting ingredients. I think it has the potential to be very popular, not only among New Yorkers but to the entire world.” Member of the U.S. House of Representative, Charles Rangle said, “I’ve enjoyed Korean food for a long time. Today’s temple food, being the best of Korean food, will surely be popular with Americans.”
The Korean and local media were so busy with interviews; they tasted the food later than New York Consul General Kim Yeong-mok said, “I ate with everyone. After sampling, the general sentiment was that Korean temple food would contribute many Americans today and heard many compliments such as easy to the world movement of changing from a meat-eating diet to a vegetarian diet. to eat, delicious, and good appearance. I’ve been to many American restaurants, and this food could compete with any of them.” Ven. Jaseung said, “We should not eat food just to satisfy our desires, nor should we eat to preserve our health at the expense of the lives of living beings or the environment. We There were many volunteers, CIA students, Korean American shouldn’t take lightly the lives of living beings. We should eat with gratitude for the all beings Buddhists, and the visiting monks, nuns, and chefs from Korea who that brought together even a single meal.” came together to make this event a success. The “chef nuns” could not have done this without all the helping hands. After the event, Ven. Hyotan, Director of Jogey Order Department of Cultural Affairs, was in charge of this there was a group photo and everyone celebrated the event to show event. She said, “Temple food is healthy, vegetarian food, which has been prepared, thinking the world the goodness of Korean temple food. L about the world community. It is a food with gratitude and love for all life.”
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Report Ⅰ
13th Korea, China, Japan Buddhist Goodwill Conference in Wuxi, China on October 19
uddhist leaders from Korea, China, and Japan met in Wuxi, China for the 13th Korea, China, Japan Buddhist With 500 in attendance, each nation took turns chanting in the respective languages for the conference dharma BGoodwill Conference on October 19. Over 300 Buddhist leaders attended this conference to discuss ways to service. Thereafter, the representatives from the three nations offered their speeches for world peace. bring about world peace. In the afternoon, there was an academic symposium. With over 300 in attendance, three representatives from each Ven. Jaseung, head of the Jogye Order attended the conference. In his speech, he said, “Here in North-East Asia, where country made presentations. Hyejeong Jeongsa, head of the Jingak Order made the keynote speech. Jogye Order’s Korea, China, and Japan are situated, there is a very sensitive military and political situation due to North Korea’s nuclear Ven. Woncheol, Taego Order’s Ven. Neunghae, Cheontae Order’s Ven. Muwon made the presentations. weapons problem and the recent submarine incident. For peace in North-East Asia as well and world peace, these Ven. Woncheol said in his presentation, “We live in a time where our three nations live together and through the nervous situations must be resolved.” He continued, “We Buddhists from Korea, China, and Japan can find the answers expanding cultural market, we live a single community. Our three nations share more now then we have ever. Our in the Buddha’s teachings of compassion and respect for life. It is a critical time for the Buddhist communities from three nations are coming closer to forming a single community. Buddhism is at the foundation of this unity and the Korea, China, and Japan to think deeply about our role for peace locally and harmony in the world.” cultural and regional solidarity of EastAsia. Our three nation’s teenagers, young adults, college students, lay Ven. Chuain, head of the Chinese Buddhist Association said, “We have seen great loss in human society and Buddhists, and the sangha must share together the wealth of East Asia to raise the banner of unity. Inthefuture, East destruction between humanity and nature through friction, conflict, and frequent disasters. During this time, the Asia will become the focus of the world.” Buddhist ideas of compassion and equanimity seem more relevant and precious. We must pray to the Three Jewels for In the keynote speech, Hyejeong Jeongsa said, “Our three nations should understand the importance of world peace and happiness. Let the Buddhist of our three nations work together in diligence for world peace, human Buddhism’s interdependence for the development of human culture.” happiness, and harmony between nature and humanity.”
Ven. Gobayashi Rusho, the representative from Japan said, “We the Buddhists of the three nations must form the foundation of world peace. I hope this conference can be a fresh beginning toward world peace.” Ven. Jaseung Visits Shanghai’s Yonghwa Jeongsa Dharma Center Ven. Jaseung left Wuxi on the morning of October 20 to arrive in Shanghai. He visited Yonghwa Jeongsa Dharma Center in Shanghai. Over 30 Korean Buddhists came out to meet with Ven. Jaseung. The members of this center expressed their gratitude, “It is very encouraging to have Ven. Jaseung visit our center despite his busy schedule.”
Ven. Jaseung told the center members, “Anyone can understand and take to heart the Buddha’s teaching to teach others. Although you live away from Korea, I hope you will keep the Buddha’s teachings in your heart and live
faithfully.” Currently, this center has no resident monk or nun. L
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Report Ⅱ
he Jogye Order International Seon Center is Tnow open to be a center to promulgate JogyeJogye OrderOrder Korean traditional culture and Korean Buddhist meditation (Ganhwa-seon) to the world. The opening ceremony for the newly built center in InternationalInternational Seoul was held on November 15. Jogye Order InternationalInternational President Ven. Jaseung, members of the Council of Elders Ven. Jeongmu and Ven. Jongha, Director of the Bureau of Education Ven. Hyeoneung, SeonSeon CenterCenter OpensOpens Director of the Bureau of Dharma Propagation Ven. Hyechong, President of the Central Council Ven. Boseon, National Assemblymen Choi “To share Korean Buddhism with the world” Byeong-guk and Jo Yun-seon, and local officials and other monks and nuns with over 1000 people attended the ceremony.
Ven. Jaseung said, “Of course, this center is to share Korean Buddhism with the world, but I hope it will also serve the local people regardless of religious background.” He continued, “The opening of the International Seon Center, which will become the signpost to share Korean Buddhism with the world, is a very meaningful event. The purpose of holding the World Religious Leaders Forum in 2013 and the construction of the International Seon Center are one and same.”
President of the Central Council Ven. Boseon said in his congratulatory speech, “This center is a place for the world to experience our nation’s great spiritual culture. I hope our cultural legacy will enrich the lives of the people of the world.”
International Seon Center Abott Ven. Hyeonjo 319-11, Shinjeong 6 dong, Yangcheon gu, Seoul said, “The International Seon Center is for (in front of Mokdong Middle School) Tel. 02- 2650-2212 Fax. 02-2650-2201 Koreans and foreigners to easily encounter Korean www.seoncenter.or.kr traditional and Buddhist culture. The Seon Center
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Report Ⅱ
hopes to be a place for a friendly exchange of ideas Seon center will contribute to spreading widely and agreeable coexistence. The center aspires to Ganhwa-seon and transmitting Korean Buddhist widely promulgate the richness and excellence of practice methods. the Korean spiritual culture.” The Seon center will also have the very popular cultural program, templestay. The center will have templestay for foreigners as well as a “temple life” International Seon Center to Widely program. The center will welcome foreigners Promulgate Korean Spiritual Culture living in Korea as well as tourists to learn about Korean Buddhism. There is also an “information The International Seon Center will be the main center for foreigners” within the building. place for promulgating Ganhwa-seon (Zen meditation), which is the origin of the Korean The International Seon Center is not just to spiritual legacy, to the world. Its role is to transmit promulgate Buddhist culture. It will serve as a Korean traditional and Buddhist culture with the “welcome place” for Koreans and foreigners to world. Let us examine the current programs and encounter Korean culture. The center will also layout of this new Seon center. have Sunday dharma talks and dharma classes for children. The center is a place for friendly It occupies the area of 2,110m2 with a total floor exchange of ideas in both the Korean and English area of 10,600.34m2. It has seven floors above languages. ground and 3 floors under ground. It features a mediation hall, a dharma hall, a dormitory for In addition, the International Seon Center will templestay, and a cultural center. It runs programs have temple food cooking classes to promote to experience Korean Buddhist culture such as Korean temple food, which is good for the English dharma talks, Seon meditation, templestay, environment. Ven. Hyeonjo said, “We will have a lectures on Seon culture, temple food cooking program to experience firsthand temple food, class, and more. which is becoming more popular around the world. We will do our best to make temple food The great emphasis for the new center is “world ■ Ven. Jaseung, President of Jogye Order more popular in everyday life, in the community, promulgation of Ganhwa-seon.” The mission is to and the world.” There will also be diverse
spread throughout the world the main practice of programs for the local people. L Korean Buddhism. Ganhwa-seon (Korean Seon meditation) will be taught at Geumcha Seonwon (Here and Now Meditation Hall) within the new center. In addition, the center will hold academic seminars on Seon meditation, inter-religious exchanges, exchanges with other practice centers, and forums on practice methods. In these ways, the
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Report Ⅲ
Director of Social Affairs Ven. Hyekyung said, “The reason for coinciding the conference with the expo and the Lotus Lantern Festival is that it would be a good way to show the world the beauty and richness of Korean Buddhist tradition and to promote Korean Buddhism. We will have a tentative six-day visit plan with half the time spent in Yeosu City and the conference, and the other days to see the Lotus Lantern Festival.”
Jogye Order plans to make strong efforts to make the conference a success. In this way, the achievement can be carried over to the 2013 World Religious Leaders Conference, also hosted by the Jogye Order.
The WFB first began in May of 1950 in Sri Lanka as Buddhist representatives from 27 countries met to transcend sectarian barriers. This year marks the 60 year anniversary. Now, 153 WFB branches in 40 countries exist to unify Buddhists from all traditions and uphold the Buddha’s teachings. The conference is held every two years. There are seven WFB branches in Korea including the Jogye Order and the Jogye Order Central Council of the Laity.
Korea hosted the 17th WFB Conference in 1990 in Seoul. Now the conference returns after 22 years. The opportunity to host the WFB conference Jogye Order to Host will be a chance to showcase the excellence of Korean Buddhism and share with the world Korean Buddhist cultural treasures such as templestay, temple 2012 WFB Conference food, and the Lotus Lantern Festival. The 25th WFB Conference, with the theme “Reconciliation Through the Teachings & Buddha,” was held on November 13 in Colombo. Along with the conference, a Board of Directors Meeting, a symposium, and the 60-year Commemoration Ceremony were held. More than 500 representatives from North Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, and other
countries attended this year’s conference. L The 2012 World Fellowship of Buddhist Conference will be held in Korea hosted by the Jogye Order. The decision came during the 25th WFB Conference on November 13 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The 26th WFB Conference will be organized by the Jogye Order and the Jogye Order’s Central Council of the Laity. The plan is to have the conference coincide with the 2012 World Expo in Yeosu City and the very popular Lotus Lantern Festival.
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Engaged Buddhism
neighborhood.” After delivering coal briquettes and rice by hand, the Jogye Order monastics and employees went to the nearby park to eat boxed lunches. Then, from 1:30 p.m., they began again to deliver more Jogye Order Continues briquettes. They delivered a total of 21,000 briquettes and 700 sacks (20kg) of Tradition of Offering Coal rice with a total cost of around $26,000. Jogye Order head Ven. Jaseung, Director of the Bureau of Education Ven. Hyeoneung, Director of the Bureau of Dharma Propagation Ven. Hyechong, Director of Department Briquettes to the Poor of Administrative Affairs Ven. Yeongdam, Director of Department of Social Affairs Ven. Hyekyung, Director of Department of Judiciary Affairs Ven. Sangun, Chair of the Social Welfare Foundation Ven. Daeo, Jogyesa Temple Aboot Ven. Tojin, and other monastics and Jogye Orders
employees participated on this day. L
en. Jaseung, other monastics, and over 150 Jogye Order employees V delivered coal briquettes and rice to people in need at Gaemi Maeul, a poor area of Seoul. These briquettes are used in the winter to heat the floors for warmth.
On the morning of November 5, Jogye Order employees met at the entrance of Gaemi Maeul to be briefed about how to proceed giving out the briquettes by Yun Yu-seon, the office manager of the organization, “Sharing Coal Briquettes in Korea.” Ven. Jaseung said, “We must use our body, more than words to deliver these briquettes. Let’s do our best.”
A local government official Mun Seok-jin, who also came out to help, said, “I’m very grateful to the Jogye Order monastics for coming out to practice compassion.” From 10 a.m., the monks and Jogye Order employees began delivering the briquettes to the families in Gaemi Maeul.
Ven. Jaseung personally delivered briquettes for about an hour and offered words of encouragement to the neighborhood folks including a 75 year-old Lee Mou. He said, “Although things may be difficult, please take heart.” Mr. Lee responded, “I’m very grateful that the monastics personally came. This is the first time that the Jogye Order President has come to our
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Focus
ctober 27 marks the 30-year anniversary of the government’s illegal actions against the Buddhist O community. Now, the Buddhist community demands the truth to be revealed, the restoration of honor for the victims, and compensation for victims. To commemorate the 30-year anniversary, there was a dharma 30 Year Anniversary of service and a meeting of the victims at Jogyesa Temple on October 27. During the service, Ven. Jaseung said, “The October 27 Incident October 27 incident is an example of the government using illegal violence against the Buddhist community ignoring laws that protect freedom, prohibition against discrimination, 1980 Military Regime Targeted Buddhist Community and the separation of state and religion; and which destroys the government structure.” He continued, “Regarding this incident, the truth must be revealed, the honor of the victims must be restored, and compensation for the victims must be paid. In addition, the law, which was forfeited, must be restored to its original standing.”
Ven. Jaseung continued, “The government must acknowledge past mistakes, repent, and apologize and make efforts for such incidents to never occur again. This will form the basis for national unity.”
Ven. Beopta representing the victims said, “The new governmental military power, wanting to usurp the power of the people, stormed Korean temples, first in the early morning of October 27 and then again on October 30 1980. The dharma halls were trampled on by soldier boots.” He continued, “The government must repent sincerely, and the Jogye Order must make efforts to prepare a place to educate the posterity on historical facts, heal the hurt of the victims, and restore the honor of the victims.”
Representative Son Hak-gyu from the Democratic Party expressed his sympathy and said that the government will do their best to support the requests of the Buddhist community from both parties. Mr. Son said, “We express our sincere condolences to the monastics and the Buddhist community for the defamation and hardships incurred due to the illegal governmental actions. As a politician, I feel very sorry for the defamation and hardships incurred by a religious group, regardless of time and perpetrator. I feel the great responsibility of the government. We will do our best to restore the honor of the victims and prepare policies for laws to be passed in this regard.”
The Director of the Committee for the Restoration of Honor for Victims of the Oct. 27 Incident, Ven. Yeongdam said, “Our committee understands the gravity of our role in planning the restoration of honor for the
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Focus Cartoon
victims. We will do our best to compensate medical costs for the monastic victims and construction of the History Education Center.” Ven. Yeongdam added that the committee will pursue the three requests of revealing the truth, restoration of honor, and compensation for victims.
In the meeting with the victims, Ven. Yeongdam said, “The truth must be revealed in exactness and the restoration of honor must be carried out. There is no restoration of honor without compensation.”
The dharma service was attended by the head of the Jogye Order Ven. Jaseung, member of the council of elders Ven. Myeongseon, Doseonsa Temple Presiding Director Ven. Hyeseong, Director of the Bureau of Education Ven. Hyeoneung, Director of the Bureau of Dharma Propagation Ven. Hyechong, Dongguk University head of the seminary Ven. Beopta, President of Jogye Order Laity Association Kim Eui-jeong as well as high-ranking government officials.
What is the October 27 Incident? New Military Government Searches Temples and Takes Away Monks and Nuns
On October 27, 1980, the Korean Government illegally searched Buddhist temples and forcibly hauled away monks and nuns. This is the first time the Buddhist community was singly sought out and oppressed in modern Korean history. The government, which had newly seized power, searched 5731 temples and took away 1929 Buddhists to be interrogated as a “purification movement” After the incident, there were distorted and exaggerated reports, and various false rumors circulated to cause immense damage to the Buddhist community. By these severe actions of the government, the human rights of numerous monks and nuns were violated, which led to a dramatic decrease in the number of Buddhist faithful as well as the Buddhist community losing social authority. Accordingly, the October 27
Incident is an abuse of government authority, which was a violation of religious freedom and human rights. L | by Bae Jong-hoon([email protected])
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Dharma Ⅰ
Everyday Korean Buddhist Practices Self-guidance and Spirit Guidance Empowering Yourself The most ideal situation is for a spirit to move onto a place of favorable karma. A crow’s nest is like a | by Seon Master Ilta translation by Brian Barry castle to a spirit that has to rebirth as a crow, so the spirit goes into that nest and appears as a baby crow. The spirit has met its proper cycles as a result of prior karma. But there is also the karmic power of ignorance and bewilderment, the darkness of not seeing things as they are and not recognizing the proper place for rebirth. There are two ways of overcoming such ignorance. One is self-guidance and the other is sprit guidance. The power of self-guidance is accomplished by practicing directly throughout your life. People who study sutras, meditate, chant, and do other practices will not fall into the realms of delusion ll forms of life dread and fear death. If only we didn’t have to die. But all beings must eventually and bewilderment after death, The spirit will see clearly and rebirth itself in the proper situation. Even A die, and all things must eventually decompose. Yet death and disintegration, rather than being the those who haven’t practiced regularly but have kept a single Buddhist verse or teaching deep in their end, are just another beginning. Because there is death there is new life. In the old days, people talked of hearts will not fall into the unfortunate realms. death as just another change of clothes. In modern terms, It’s like getting a new car to replace the old In Korea, another method is to participate in the “Passage to Paradise” Ritual, the Yesujae(“practice one. in advance”) that is held in most Korean temples every third of fourth year when there is a leap month Our new clothes or our new car depend entirely on the karma we have accumulated and on what we by the lunar calendar. It is a very colorful, day-long ritual and it serves as a solid foundation of merit for seek. We find a cycle? either a more favorable or a less favorable environment? on the basis of that good karma in the future for both the living and the spirits. But mere participation in the ritual does not Karma. People who live good lives and make wishes and vows for the future have no earn such merit. We have to develop the merit and good karma by taking the teaching of the Buddha to reason to be concerned. However, there are many times when we think about the heart beyond death right through to the next rebirth. The ritual is a great aid to this. The Buddha gave us lives of the deceased and feel that they have not moved on to a freer and better this ritual to plant within us the seed of enlightenment. If we study and practice our way towards existence because of the unfavorable karma they may have accumulated. enlightenment, we have no need to fear death or the cycles of samsara. We can calmly accept the fact It is precisely for these reasons that the Buddha taught methods for urging that we are about to change clothes. We develop new hope to live in a newer environment more spirits on to higher planes of existence. These mystical methods are available conductive to attaining enlightenment. to us to tap into the great compassion of the buddhas and bodhisattvas for If we approach our practice with such an attitude, we can in fact directly determine our own path after
ourselves and for our departed lived ones. death. L
24 Winter 2010 25 로터스본문2011다시 2010.12.28 5:35 PM 페이지26
Dharma Ⅱ
Zen and the Art of Robbery
| by Ven. Beopjeong translated by Brian Barry
nce there was an old robber. When he felt his pushed his son into it. Then suddenly he shut the door as the son ran by it in the dark, he plopped a large something to be understood from an objective point O inevitable death coming nearer and nearer, he and locked the chest with the nearby padlock. He boulder into it. Those in hot pursuit heard the splash of view; it’s something that has to be intuitively decided that he couldn’t leave this world without then ran out of the storeroom and as he leapt back and figured that the thief had fallen into the well and grasped. It’s the process of awakening to your passing on his lifelong skills and secrets of success. over the wall, he started screaming “Thief! Thief!” drowned, so they returned home. limitless inner potential through complete immersion. He wanted to pass on this accumulated expertise to at That is why they say Zen is experience rather than least one person, even if it were his own son. Startled, the family tore through the house looking The son arrived at his home out of breath. He knowledge. Zen becomes a living thing when this for a thief. The robber’s son himself was no less became even more indignant at seeing his father unlimited creativity expresses itself to others through So one night, the robber took his son along to “get stunned than the family members. Feeling his father sitting there completely calm. He was about to the warmth of compassion and the light of wisdom. a feel for the night dew.” Nowadays, thieves probably had betrayed him, he was at a loss as what to do. But confront him when the father, with a broad grin of set their schedules around the most popular television then he became so completely outraged at this father satisfaction on his face, said, “You escaped the trap I When Zen is something that lives only in a programs when people are intently distracted, but in that he swore to get out of this predicament and tell set for you! You’re worthy of carrying on my trade!” meditation center, it is no different than being caught the old days they inevitably worked in the pitch black his father off. And this is the way the father had taught his son, in a rice chest. It becomes a creative function only of a moonless night. And in the old days there were without a word, the tricks of the trade. He taught by when it leaps out of the chest and makes its way into no really luxurious homes, so the most popular Stuck in the rice chest, he finally started squealing providing experience rather than words so that the the world of people. (1977) L choices for robbers were homes without watchdogs, like a rat. The owner opened the storeroom door and son could figure out the secrets himself. regardless of the height of the wall to be scaled. glanced around but didn’t see a thing. The robber’s son let out another squeal. This led the owner over to The story comes from the Chinese Sung Dynasty So father and son first chose a house. Then they the rice chest and he carefully unlocked it. As soon as Monk Fayan who was trying to explain Zen. The nimbly made their way over the wall and headed he did, the robber’s son leapt out of the chest, then point is that Zen is not something you learn from straight for the storeroom in which sat a very large out the storeroom door, back over the wall and down outside, from education, or from theory; rather, it’s rice chest. The father opened the huge chest and the path. There was a well on the path up ahead and something that you have to experience. And it’s not
26 Winter 2010 27 로터스본문2011다시 2010.12.28 5:35 PM 페이지28
Korean Buddhism Highlight
not an intellectual question, but a sincere longing to know the true nature of the self. This practice leads directly to the experiential understanding of the nature of self and ultimately to realization & the ultimate truth. 15 Virtues of Korean Buddhism 9. Ascetic practice is highly valued in Korean Buddhism. Monks and nuns rise at 3 a.m. in most Korean temples for a rigorous day of practice. There is ruggedness and strictness to Korean temple life. Even the grey color of the monastic robes reflects this mentality. Some examples of Korean Buddhist asceticism are: Yongmaeng Jeongjin | by Ven. Yongsu (ferocious practice: each retreat season in most meditation temples, practitioners don t sleep at all for a week or longer), Jangjwa Bulwa (not lying down to sleep), finger burning (this is done as an offering to the Buddha or as a 1. Korean temples are beautiful. They blend with nature as if Mother Nature herself built them. They are cradled by sign of dedication to the monastic life), etc. the mountains and replenished by brooks and rivers. The temple buildings are simple yet ornate. One could hardly 10. Monastic robes are often very elegant and made of the best materials. Koreans monastics are often criticized for find a more serene and beautiful sanctuary anywhere in the world. their expensive robes made of fine hemp, cotton, or silk. However, the natural materials also have a practical value 2. Temple food is delicious, nutritious, and good for the environment and living beings. The 100% vegetarian food (such as coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter) as well as aesthetic appeal. Like Catholic priests in served at Korean temples are prepared from fresh vegetable often grown on temple grounds. The preparation is Europe, Buddhist monks in Korea play the role of clergy. Such robes lend to the distinction and importance of the often simple without many spices. Temple food never uses the five pungent vegetables from the onion family, clergy’s responsibility. These robes have become an inseparable part of Korean Buddhist monastic culture. which are supposed to hinder meditation practice. Artificial flavorings are also never used for a clean and light 11. Korean tea tradition is an inseparable part of the Korean Buddhist culture. There is not a single temple without a taste. complete tea set and various wonderful teas. The tea pots and cups are uniquely Korean with an earthy and slightly 3. The Seon (meditation tradition) has an unbroken lineage back to the founder of Seon, Bodhidharma. The tradition rough appearance, which reflects the Korean Seon values of naturalness and simplicity. of the three-month summer and winter retreats are maintained at over 100 temples with over 1000 monastics 12. Ulyeok (work practice) is an indispensable part of Korean Seon. The Seon tradition values work as much as engaging in retreat. eating; as the saying goes, “no work, no eat.” As Buddhism came to East Asia, farming was done on the temples 4. Baru Gongyang (formal meal) is a wonderful way to eat. It is taken in four wooden bowls and nothing is wasted. for sustenance of the monks. In Korea, farming became a Seon practice with the adage, “Seon and farming are not It is itself a silent meditation. two.” Ulyeok is part of the daily routine of Korean temple life. It is a way to purify Karma. Korean Seon adheres to the adage that “every human being should physically labor every day.” This is good for the body and mind. 5. A pure monastic lineage exists, which honors the Vinaya of Bhikshus. Korea is a Mahayana country, but its adherence to the Vinaya and respect for the monastic sangha resembles the Theravada countries such as Thailand 13. Process of becoming a monastic in the Jogye Order is not at all easy but certainly rewarding. Every prospective and Myanmar. Monks and nuns conduct themselves with dignity and restraint to reflect the noble Buddhist lineage. monastic begins as a hangja (postulant) and must do manual labor for the temple for at least five months. Then, they go to the hangja training course for four weeks to qualify as a novice. Then, a novice monastic must go 6. Form and etiquette are emphasized in Korean Buddhism. There is a purity, straightness, and simplicity to the through four years of training in one of the following institutions: Sutra School, Meditation School, or Monastic or appearance of Korean Buddhism, which is to reflect the uprightness and wholesomeness of mind. Outwardly Buddhist University. Then, after a one-week training course, they receive full monastic ordination. It is this straight and inwardly pure is the tenet of Korean Buddhism. difficult process that gives the monks a sense of pride and dignity of wearing the monastic robes.
7. Korean Buddhism offers diverse practices. Along with Seon (the meditation practice, which is the backbone of the 14. Buddha’s Birthday (eighth day of fourth lunar month) is the biggest day of the year for Korean Buddhists. It is KB’s practice lineage), there are diverse devotional practices for monastics and the laity. Daily chanting (Yebul), the Buddhist Christmas, when the streets and temples are adorned with colorful lanterns. It is when every Yeombul (deity practice, praying to a particular Buddha or Bodhisattva by chanting the name), bowing (such as 108 Buddhists (even closet Buddhists) make their way to the temple for dharma service. This is the best time of the daily bows or 3000 bows), reciting the sutras (gangyeong), copying sutras (sagyeong), intensive prayers (jeong- year to see and experience Buddhist culture in Korea. The Lotus Lantern Festival with its grand and lavish parades geon kido, chanting intensively for 21 days, 100 days, etc.), and more. and activities takes place around this time.
8. Ganhwaseon is the meditation practice of Korean Seon. Korea has uniquely preserved and actively engages in this 15. Korean Buddhist art is a unique heritage of Korean culture. In fact, most of Korea’s cultural properties are practice. Ganhwaseon means to observe the hwadu, which is the ultimate inquiry. The Hwadu is a sincere and Buddhist. Korean temples are veritable art museums with diverse paintings, sculptures, and designs. Likewise, intense questioning into the nature of self and reality. For example, the most common hwadu is “who am I?” This is museums are filled with Buddhist art. L
28 Winter 2010 29 로터스본문2011다시 2010.12.28 5:35 PM 페이지30
Jogye Order News
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1. 10 Year Anniversary of Government Employee Buddhist Association 3. Jogye Order Offers Rice to North Korea at 3rd Year Anniversary of Shingyesa Temple The ten-year anniversary dharma service for the Government Employee Buddhist Association was held on October 10 at The Jogye Order held the three-year anniversary of the restoration of Shingyesa Temple on Geumgang Mountain in Naksansa Temple with Ven. Hyechong, the head of the Jogye Order Bureau of Dharma Propagation and over 1000 in North Korea on October 13. The Jogye Order Offices for the Promotion of National Unity offered relief aid materials attendance. at a spring water plant on Geumgang Mountain. Thereafter, they offered 30 tones of rice to North Korea’s Joseon The Government Employee Buddhist Association was established in 2000 with over 700 government employees from 47 Buddhist Solidarity at Shingyesa Temple. In the afternoon, there was a dharma service to commemorate the three- government organizations attending the inauguration ceremony at Woljeongsa Temple. Since then, the association has year anniversary. Next is an excerpt from the aspiration prayer from the service: held numerous dharma services, templestays, and pilgrimages to share friendship and discuss life as Buddhist employees “We are all descendents of the same forefathers. We have worked toward unification together, and together we will of the government. There are now sub-organizations in all 16 major Korean cities and the membership is over 10,000 from prosper in a unified Korea. We Buddhists from the North and South must go forth together with courage and over 160 government organizations. determination on the path toward unification.” On this day, members pledged to carry out government work with propriety and efficiency as well as work for the development of the association through continued cooperation and solidarity. Ha Bok-dong, president of the association said,“By the strength of the faith and active participation of the members, we are able to have a ten-year anniversary, 4. World Archival Experts Visits Jogye Order Archives which has seen great progress throughout the years. The association will continue to progress through increasing World archival experts visited the Jogye Order Archives at the administration building on October 15. Professor membership, creating more sub-organizations, and maintaining good ties with local temples.” Anne Jillian from UCLA’s Archival Studies Department, Helen Sweneton, researcher from England’s HSCB Bank Ven. Hyechong advised the members to live a life of a bodhisattva such as Kwanseum Bosal. He said that especially since this service is held at Naksansa Temple, one of the main temples for Kwanseum Bosal. Ven. Hyechong said, “We Archives, Peter Blum, director of the Heidelberg Archives, and other specialists visited to tour the Jogye Order Buddhists must espouse the principle of Kwanseum Bosal’s compassion, which looks after and fulfills the needs of Archives. They also had lunch at Baru (Jogye Order restaurant) followed by a PowerPoint presentation on the Jogye beings. The path to true happiness is to always give to our neighbors, society, and nation. The Government Buddhist Order Archives. Association will surely endure if we follow the association’s motto of doing our government’s work just as Buddha would.” The Jogye Order Archives began organizing records in 2000 to store Korean Buddhist and Jogye Order records There were also awards given out to the sub-organizations for outstanding activities. Naksansa Temple also gave a using modern archival methods. The archives officially opened its doors in 2004 and now has plans to expand the donation for the progress of the association. Each participant also received prayer beads and a book written by Naksansa archives to include firstly the 24 district head temples and eventually all of the more than 2500 Jogye Order temples. Temple’s Jeongnyeom Sunim. The Jogye Order archives use modern equipment to store and organize its records and artifacts such as the temperature maintainer, which keeps the storage rooms always at a moderate temperature and dry. The archives also employ professional archivists to organize and manage the system. Professor Jillian commented how impressive the archives were, especially for a religious organization. 2. Mahabodhi Society’s Ven. Rewata Visits Ven. Jaseung. Korea has historically kept very good records in a traditional manner such as the 84,000 wood panels of the Ven. Rewata, Secretary General of India’s Mahabodhi Society paid a visit to Ven. Jaseung at the Jogye Order Buddhist canon at Haeinsa Temple, which is one of several Korean record artifacts that are UNESCO designated administration building on November 4 to request for more inter-exchange between Korea and India. world cultural artifacts. However, modern record keeping is relatively new and the Jogye Order is on the forefront of Ven. Rewata said,“I’ m visiting Korea for the Korean publication of a biography of Ven. Anakarika Dharmapala, the the new archival systems. Korea has now rapidly adopted the modern archival methods in the fields of government, founder of the Mahabodhi Society. Ven. Dharmapala devoted his life to the revival of Buddhism in India.”The book commerce, private sectors, and religion. The Jogye Order has a sound beginning in this field and plans to expand is titled“Pioneer of the Revival of Buddhism in India.”Ven. Rewata expressed his wishes for continued good will and improve the archival system to preserve Korean Buddhist culture and Jogye Order history. and cultural exchange between Korean and Indian Buddhism. These world archival experts are in Korea for a two-day conference on Archival Studies at Hankuk University of Ven. Jaseung said,“We have carefully enshrined the Buddha relic at Jogyesa Temple that Ven. Dharmapala offered Foreign Studies. to the Korean Buddhist community. Let’s work together for world peace and mutual success.”He continued,“The Jogye Order is organizing the 2013 World Religious Leaders Forum. I hope Indian Buddhism will take interest and help in this preparation.”
30 Winter 2010 31 로터스본문2011다시 2010.12.28 5:35 PM 페이지32
Jogye Order News
Standard Program ● First day 14:00 Arrival / Orientation 16:00 Look around temple grounds 17:00 Dinner 18:00 Evening chanting services 19:00 Specialized programs / free time 21:00 Sleep ● Second day www.templestay.com 4:00 Morning chanting services 5:00 Morning walk in the forest / Seon meditation 6:00 Breakfast 7:00 Communal work period 5 6 8:00 Tea and conversation with a monk 9:00 Specialized programs / free time 11:30 Lunch 13:00 Closing ceremony 5. Ven. Jaseung Visits Victims of Atomic Bomb ※ This is just a sample schedule, the actual program can differ Ven. Jaseung visited the House of Peace, center for victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs to offer from temple to temple. words of encouragement. Ven. Jaseung offered a monetary donation and said,“I hope this will help a little the Specialized Programs victims of the atomic bomb.”In addition, Ven. Jaseung has begun a fundraising to build a rehabilitation center for 2 - Da-do (Tea Ceremony) 2011. He also said that he will personally buy 100 pyeong (330m ). - Lotus Lantern Making The House of Peace opened on March 1 of this year in Hapcheon County to support second generation victims of - Tak-bon (a rubbed printing) the atomic bomb. This is the first project of the“With Asia,”an organization to help the underprivileged and poor in - Copying Sutra and outside of Korea. This organization is headed by former director of Jogye Order Department of Social Affairs, - Seon Martial Arts Ven. Jiwon. - Others There is a reason why this center was built in Hapcheon County. According to the 2010 census, of the 2600 victims Preparation of the atomic bomb, 600 live in Hapcheon County. The Hapcheon County commissioner Ha Chang-hwan said, Comfortable walking shoes, socks, a towel, long-sleeve “During the Japanese occupation, Koreans from Hapcheon County were forcibly relocated to Hiroshima. That is shirts or jacket, and other toiletries why so many Hapcheon people became victims when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.” Ven. Jaseung shook each person by the hand to encourage them to not lose courage. Reservation Visit Templestay Infomation Center or website (www.templestay.com) 6. Supreme Patriarch of Cambodian Buddhism, Most Ven. Tep Vong visits Ven. Jaseung Templestay Information Center Most Ven. Tep Vong, the Supreme Patriarch of Cambodian Buddhism visited Ven. Jaseung at the Jogye Order administration building on September 28. Hours : 09:00 ~ 18:00 (7days) Telephone : 02-2031-2000 ~ 2 Ven. Jaseung said,“Korean weather is a little cold. Please take good care of your health, and I hope you will have a E-mail : [email protected] safe visit of Korea. I hope the exchange between the Cambodian and Korean Buddhist communities will become more active.”Most Ven. Tep Vong said,“Cambodian King Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen told me to relay Templestay their best regards to you, Ven. Jaseung. I hope the relationship between our nation’s Buddhist communities will strengthen.” Templestay is a program which gives you a Most Ven. Tep Vong also said,“I heard that Cambodian international brides live happily in Korea. Now we have chance to experience the lifestyle of Buddhist become closer through blood relations. I hope our relationship will develop toward happiness.”He also requested practitioners, in temples which have preserved Templestay for the Korean Buddhist community to watch over the multicultural families. the original form of traditional Korean Buddhist culture. provides a chance Ven. Jaseung responded,“Our order will help where we can. I hope Korean Buddhism will engage in cultural to visit exchange with Theravada Buddhism. I hope our Buddhist communites can contribute to world peace.”Ven. Temples in Korea, with their 1700 years of traditional Jaseung also requested Most Ven. Tep Vong to relay his respects to the King and Prime Minister. Buddhist history, represent the cultural Korean temples consciousness of the country, preserving more preserving than 70% of all Korean cultural assets. At the core of the temple's way of life is the respect for the original flavor all beings, and a lifestyle that is in harmony with of Buddhist the environment. culture.
32 www.templestay.com 로터스본문2011다시 2010.12.28 5:35 PM 페이지34
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Make Our Center Strong and Steady
Not only these days, but since a very very long time ago People would slander and speak ill of one another If you talk a lot, people would criticize If you talk a little, people would criticize If you don’t talk at all, people would criticize There is not a single person in the world that is not criticized
There has never been a person that only received criticism There has never been a person that only received praise And there never will be Praise and Criticism can not be avoided Make our center strong and steady Do not be moved by empty sounds
- Adapted from the Dharmapada