로터스본문2011다시 2010.12.

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Contents

Winter 2010

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
10 ReportⅠ
Jogye Order Publishing
10 13th Korea, China, Japan Buddhist Goodwill Conference in Wuxi,
10 China on October 19
Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism
12 ReportⅡ
45 Gyeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
12 Jogye Order International Seon Center Opens
TEL. (82)2-2011-1830
FAX. (82)2-735-0614
16 ReportⅢ
Email: oey4good@buddhism.or.kr
16 Jogye Order to Host 2012 WFB Conference
www.buddhism.or.kr
www.koreanbuddhism.net(English) 18 Engaged Buddhism
18 Jogye Order Continues Tradition of Offering Coal Briquettes to the Poor
Free Subscription available for Buddhist
organizations. 20 Focus
Please send organization name and mailing 20 30 Year Anniversary of October 27 Incident
address to :
oey4good@buddhism.or.kr 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
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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

V en. Jaseung visited UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova at

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

Visits America 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
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

Dharma Service held at Flushing

J ogye Order President Ven. Jaseung visited UN Secretary General Ban Ki-mun at the UN headquarters in NewYork
to discuss world peace.

Secretary Ban said, “I’m happy that you have come to America to plan good works in relation to Korean Buddhism. A dharma service was held at Flushing, New York with over
1000 in attendance on September 19. This was sponsored by
the Korean American Sangha Association and the New York Korean
I’m grateful for the great contribution to world peace and unity by the Korean Buddhist community.” Ven. Jaseung
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.

V en. Jaseung also spent Chuseok (Korean Harvest Festival) at Borisa Temple in New Jersey on September 22
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

V en. Jaseung visited Columbia University for a meeting with professors and students from the Department of East
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

T he Jogye Order held “Korean Temple Food Experience” event in

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
everyone. After sampling, the general sentiment was that Korean temple food would contribute
to the world movement of changing from a meat-eating diet to a vegetarian diet.
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
shouldn’t take lightly the lives of living beings. We should eat with gratitude for the all beings
that brought together even a single meal.”
Ven. Hyotan, Director of Jogey Order Department of Cultural Affairs, was in charge of this
event. She said, “Temple food is healthy, vegetarian food, which has been prepared, thinking
about the world community. It is a food with gratitude and love for all life.”
New York Consul General Kim Yeong-mok said, “I ate with
many Americans today and heard many compliments such as easy
to eat, delicious, and good appearance. I’ve been to many American
restaurants, and this food could compete with any of them.”
There were many volunteers, CIA students, Korean American
Buddhists, and the visiting monks, nuns, and chefs from Korea who
came together to make this event a success. The “chef nuns” could
not have done this without all the helping hands. After the event,
there was a group photo and everyone celebrated the event to show
the world the goodness of Korean temple food. L

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Report Ⅰ

13th Korea, China, Japan Buddhist Goodwill

Conference in Wuxi, China on October 19

With 500 in attendance, each nation took turns chanting in the respective languages for the conference dharma
B uddhist leaders from Korea, China, and Japan met in Wuxi, China for the 13th Korea, China, Japan Buddhist
Goodwill Conference on October 19. Over 300 Buddhist leaders attended this conference to discuss ways to
bring about world peace.
service. Thereafter, the representatives from the three nations offered their speeches for world peace.

Ven. Jaseung, head of the Jogye Order attended the conference. In his speech, he said, “Here in North-East Asia, where
Korea, China, and Japan are situated, there is a very sensitive military and political situation due to North Korea’s nuclear
weapons problem and the recent submarine incident. For peace in North-East Asia as well and world peace, these
nervous situations must be resolved.” He continued, “We Buddhists from Korea, China, and Japan can find the answers
in the Buddha’s teachings of compassion and respect for life. It is a critical time for the Buddhist communities from
Korea, China, and Japan to think deeply about our role for peace locally and harmony in the world.”
Ven. Chuain, head of the Chinese Buddhist Association said, “We have seen great loss in human society and
destruction between humanity and nature through friction, conflict, and frequent disasters. During this time, the
Buddhist ideas of compassion and equanimity seem more relevant and precious. We must pray to the Three Jewels for
world peace and happiness. Let the Buddhist of our three nations work together in diligence for world peace, human
happiness, and harmony between nature and humanity.”
In the afternoon, there was an academic symposium. With over 300 in attendance, three representatives from each
country made presentations. Hyejeong Jeongsa, head of the Jingak Order made the keynote speech. Jogye Order’s
Ven. Woncheol, Taego Order’s Ven. Neunghae, Cheontae Order’s Ven. Muwon made the presentations.
Ven. Woncheol said in his presentation, “We live in a time where our three nations live together and through the
expanding cultural market, we live a single community. Our three nations share more now then we have ever. Our
three nations are coming closer to forming a single community. Buddhism is at the foundation of this unity and the
cultural and regional solidarity of EastAsia. Our three nation’s teenagers, young adults, college students, lay
Buddhists, and the sangha must share together the wealth of East Asia to raise the banner of unity. Inthefuture, East
Asia will become the focus of the world.”
In the keynote speech, Hyejeong Jeongsa said, “Our three nations should understand the importance of
Buddhism’s interdependence for the development of human culture.”

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

T he Jogye Order International Seon Center is

Jogye Order now open to be a center to promulgate

Korean traditional culture and Korean Buddhist
meditation (Ganhwa-seon) to the world. The

International opening ceremony for the newly built center in

Seoul was held on November 15. Jogye Order
President Ven. Jaseung, members of the Council of
Elders Ven. Jeongmu and Ven. Jongha, Director of

Seon Center Opens the Bureau of Education Ven. Hyeoneung,

“To share Korean Buddhism with the world”
Director of the Bureau of Dharma Propagation
Ven. Hyechong, President of the Central Council
Ven. Boseon, National Assemblymen Choi
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
said, “The International Seon Center is for
Koreans and foreigners to easily encounter Korean
traditional and Buddhist culture. The Seon Center
319-11, Shinjeong 6 dong, Yangcheon gu, Seoul
(in front of Mokdong Middle School)
Tel. 02- 2650-2212 Fax. 02-2650-2201
www.seoncenter.or.kr

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Report Ⅱ
hopes to be a place for a friendly exchange of ideas
and agreeable coexistence. The center aspires to
widely promulgate the richness and excellence of
the Korean spiritual culture.”
International Seon Center to Widely
Promulgate Korean Spiritual Culture
The International Seon Center will be the main
place for promulgating Ganhwa-seon (Zen
meditation), which is the origin of the Korean
spiritual legacy, to the world. Its role is to transmit
Korean traditional and Buddhist culture with the
world. Let us examine the current programs and
layout of this new Seon center.
It occupies the area of 2,110m2 with a total floor
area of 10,600.34m 2. It has seven floors above
ground and 3 floors under ground. It features a
mediation hall, a dharma hall, a dormitory for
templestay, and a cultural center. It runs programs
to experience Korean Buddhist culture such as
English dharma talks, Seon meditation, templestay,
lectures on Seon culture, temple food cooking
class, and more.
The great emphasis for the new center is “world
promulgation of Ganhwa-seon.” The mission is to
spread throughout the world the main practice of
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
14
■ Ven. Jaseung, President of Jogye Order
Seon center will contribute to spreading widely
Ganhwa-seon and transmitting Korean Buddhist
practice methods.
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”
program. The center will welcome foreigners
living in Korea as well as tourists to learn about
Korean Buddhism. There is also an “information
center for foreigners” within the building.
The International Seon Center is not just to
promulgate Buddhist culture. It will serve as a
“welcome place” for Koreans and foreigners to
encounter Korean culture. The center will also
have Sunday dharma talks and dharma classes for
children. The center is a place for friendly
exchange of ideas in both the Korean and English
languages.
In addition, the International Seon Center will
have temple food cooking classes to promote
Korean temple food, which is good for the
environment. Ven. Hyeonjo said, “We will have a
program to experience firsthand temple food,
which is becoming more popular around the
world. We will do our best to make temple food
more popular in everyday life, in the community,
and the world.” There will also be diverse
programs for the local people. L
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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

Jogye Order to Host

conference returns after 22 years. The opportunity to host the WFB conference
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

Briquettes to the Poor Bureau of Dharma Propagation Ven. Hyechong, Director of Department
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

V en. Jaseung, other monastics, and over 150 Jogye Order employees
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

O ctober 27 marks the 30-year anniversary of the government’s illegal actions against the Buddhist
community. Now, the Buddhist community demands the truth to be revealed, the restoration of honor for

30 Year Anniversary of the victims, and compensation for victims. To commemorate the 30-year anniversary, there was a dharma
service and a meeting of the victims at Jogyesa Temple on October 27.

October 27 Incident
1980 Military Regime Targeted Buddhist Community
During the service, Ven. Jaseung said, “The
October 27 incident is an example of the
government using illegal violence against the
Buddhist community ignoring laws that protect
freedom, prohibition against discrimination,
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(bjh4372@hanmail.net)

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Dharma Ⅰ
Everyday Korean Buddhist Practices
Self-guidance
and
Spirit Guidance
| by Seon Master Ilta translation by Brian Barry
A ll forms of life dread and fear death. If only we didn’t have to die. But all beings must eventually
die, and all things must eventually decompose. Yet death and disintegration, rather than being the
end, are just another beginning. Because there is death there is new life. In the old days, people talked of
death as just another change of clothes. In modern terms, It’s like getting a new car to replace the old
one.
Our new clothes or our new car depend entirely on the karma we have accumulated and on what we
seek. We find a cycle? either a more favorable or a less favorable environment? on the basis of that
Karma. People who live good lives and make wishes and vows for the future have no
reason to be concerned. However, there are many times when we think about the
lives of the deceased and feel that they have not moved on to a freer and better
existence because of the unfavorable karma they may have accumulated.
It is precisely for these reasons that the Buddha taught methods for urging
spirits on to higher planes of existence. These mystical methods are available
to us to tap into the great compassion of the buddhas and bodhisattvas for
ourselves and for our departed lived ones.
24
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
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
and bewilderment after death, The spirit will see clearly and rebirth itself in the proper situation. Even
those who haven’t practiced regularly but have kept a single Buddhist verse or teaching deep in their
hearts will not fall into the unfortunate realms.
In Korea, another method is to participate in the “Passage to Paradise” Ritual, the Yesujae(“practice
in advance”) that is held in most Korean temples every third of fourth year when there is a leap month
by the lunar calendar. It is a very colorful, day-long ritual and it serves as a solid foundation of merit for
good karma in the future for both the living and the spirits. But mere participation in the ritual does not
earn such merit. We have to develop the merit and good karma by taking the teaching of the Buddha to
heart beyond death right through to the next rebirth. The ritual is a great aid to this. The Buddha gave us
this ritual to plant within us the seed of enlightenment. If we study and practice our way towards
enlightenment, we have no need to fear death or the cycles of samsara. We can calmly accept the fact
that we are about to change clothes. We develop new hope to live in a newer environment more
conductive to attaining enlightenment.
If we approach our practice with such an attitude, we can in fact directly determine our own path after
death. L
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Dharma Ⅱ
Zen and the Art of
Robbery
| by Ven. Beopjeong translated by Brian Barry
O nce there was an old robber. When he felt his
inevitable death coming nearer and nearer, he
decided that he couldn’t leave this world without
passing on his lifelong skills and secrets of success.
He wanted to pass on this accumulated expertise to at
least one person, even if it were his own son.
So one night, the robber took his son along to “get
a feel for the night dew.” Nowadays, thieves probably
set their schedules around the most popular television
programs when people are intently distracted, but in
the old days they inevitably worked in the pitch black
of a moonless night. And in the old days there were
no really luxurious homes, so the most popular
choices for robbers were homes without watchdogs,
regardless of the height of the wall to be scaled.
So father and son first chose a house. Then they
nimbly made their way over the wall and headed
straight for the storeroom in which sat a very large
rice chest. The father opened the huge chest and
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pushed his son into it. Then suddenly he shut the door
and locked the chest with the nearby padlock. He
then ran out of the storeroom and as he leapt back
over the wall, he started screaming “Thief! Thief!”
Startled, the family tore through the house looking
for a thief. The robber’s son himself was no less
stunned than the family members. Feeling his father
had betrayed him, he was at a loss as what to do. But
then he became so completely outraged at this father
that he swore to get out of this predicament and tell
his father off.
Stuck in the rice chest, he finally started squealing
like a rat. The owner opened the storeroom door and
glanced around but didn’t see a thing. The robber’s
son let out another squeal. This led the owner over to
the rice chest and he carefully unlocked it. As soon as
he did, the robber’s son leapt out of the chest, then
out the storeroom door, back over the wall and down
the path. There was a well on the path up ahead and
as the son ran by it in the dark, he plopped a large
boulder into it. Those in hot pursuit heard the splash
and figured that the thief had fallen into the well and
drowned, so they returned home.
The son arrived at his home out of breath. He
became even more indignant at seeing his father
sitting there completely calm. He was about to
confront him when the father, with a broad grin of
satisfaction on his face, said, “You escaped the trap I
set for you! You’re worthy of carrying on my trade!”
And this is the way the father had taught his son,
without a word, the tricks of the trade. He taught by
providing experience rather than words so that the
son could figure out the secrets himself.
The story comes from the Chinese Sung Dynasty
Monk Fayan who was trying to explain Zen. The
point is that Zen is not something you learn from
outside, from education, or from theory; rather, it’s
something that you have to experience. And it’s not
something to be understood from an objective point
of view; it’s something that has to be intuitively
grasped. It’s the process of awakening to your
limitless inner potential through complete immersion.
That is why they say Zen is experience rather than
knowledge. Zen becomes a living thing when this
unlimited creativity expresses itself to others through
the warmth of compassion and the light of wisdom.
When Zen is something that lives only in a
meditation center, it is no different than being caught
in a rice chest. It becomes a creative function only
when it leaps out of the chest and makes its way into
the world of people. (1977) L
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Korean Buddhism Highlight
15 Virtues of Korean Buddhism
| by Ven. Yongsu
1. Korean temples are beautiful. They blend with nature as if Mother Nature herself built them. They are cradled by
the mountains and replenished by brooks and rivers. The temple buildings are simple yet ornate. One could hardly
find a more serene and beautiful sanctuary anywhere in the world.
2. Temple food is delicious, nutritious, and good for the environment and living beings. The 100% vegetarian food
served at Korean temples are prepared from fresh vegetable often grown on temple grounds. The preparation is
often simple without many spices. Temple food never uses the five pungent vegetables from the onion family,
which are supposed to hinder meditation practice. Artificial flavorings are also never used for a clean and light
taste.
3. The Seon (meditation tradition) has an unbroken lineage back to the founder of Seon, Bodhidharma. The tradition
of the three-month summer and winter retreats are maintained at over 100 temples with over 1000 monastics
engaging in retreat.
4. Baru Gongyang (formal meal) is a wonderful way to eat. It is taken in four wooden bowls and nothing is wasted.
It is itself a silent meditation.
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
and Myanmar. Monks and nuns conduct themselves with dignity and restraint to reflect the noble Buddhist lineage.
6. Form and etiquette are emphasized in Korean Buddhism. There is a purity, straightness, and simplicity to the
appearance of Korean Buddhism, which is to reflect the uprightness and wholesomeness of mind. Outwardly
straight and inwardly pure is the tenet of Korean Buddhism.
7. Korean Buddhism offers diverse practices. Along with Seon (the meditation practice, which is the backbone of the
KB’s practice lineage), there are diverse devotional practices for monastics and the laity. Daily chanting (Yebul),
Yeombul (deity practice, praying to a particular Buddha or Bodhisattva by chanting the name), bowing (such as 108
daily bows or 3000 bows), reciting the sutras (gangyeong), copying sutras (sagyeong), intensive prayers (jeong-
geon kido, chanting intensively for 21 days, 100 days, etc.), and more.
8. Ganhwaseon is the meditation practice of Korean Seon. Korea has uniquely preserved and actively engages in this
practice. Ganhwaseon means to observe the hwadu, which is the ultimate inquiry. The Hwadu is a sincere and
intense questioning into the nature of self and reality. For example, the most common hwadu is “who am I?” This is
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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.
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
(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
sign of dedication to the monastic life), etc.
10. Monastic robes are often very elegant and made of the best materials. Koreans monastics are often criticized for
their expensive robes made of fine hemp, cotton, or silk. However, the natural materials also have a practical value
(such as coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter) as well as aesthetic appeal. Like Catholic priests in
Europe, Buddhist monks in Korea play the role of clergy. Such robes lend to the distinction and importance of the
clergy’s responsibility. These robes have become an inseparable part of Korean Buddhist monastic culture.
11. Korean tea tradition is an inseparable part of the Korean Buddhist culture. There is not a single temple without a
complete tea set and various wonderful teas. The tea pots and cups are uniquely Korean with an earthy and slightly
rough appearance, which reflects the Korean Seon values of naturalness and simplicity.
12. Ulyeok (work practice) is an indispensable part of Korean Seon. The Seon tradition values work as much as
eating; as the saying goes, “no work, no eat.” As Buddhism came to East Asia, farming was done on the temples
for sustenance of the monks. In Korea, farming became a Seon practice with the adage, “Seon and farming are not
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.
13. Process of becoming a monastic in the Jogye Order is not at all easy but certainly rewarding. Every prospective
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
through four years of training in one of the following institutions: Sutra School, Meditation School, or Monastic or
Buddhist University. Then, after a one-week training course, they receive full monastic ordination. It is this
difficult process that gives the monks a sense of pride and dignity of wearing the monastic robes.
14. Buddha’s Birthday (eighth day of fourth lunar month) is the biggest day of the year for Korean Buddhists. It is
the Buddhist Christmas, when the streets and temples are adorned with colorful lanterns. It is when every
Buddhists (even closet Buddhists) make their way to the temple for dharma service. This is the best time of the
year to see and experience Buddhist culture in Korea. The Lotus Lantern Festival with its grand and lavish parades
and activities takes place around this time.
15. Korean Buddhist art is a unique heritage of Korean culture. In fact, most of Korea’s cultural properties are
Buddhist. Korean temples are veritable art museums with diverse paintings, sculptures, and designs. Likewise,
museums are filled with Buddhist art. L
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Jogye Order News
1 2 3
1. 10 Year Anniversary of Government Employee Buddhist Association
The ten-year anniversary dharma service for the Government Employee Buddhist Association was held on October 10 at
Naksansa Temple with Ven. Hyechong, the head of the Jogye Order Bureau of Dharma Propagation and over 1000 in
attendance.
The Government Employee Buddhist Association was established in 2000 with over 700 government employees from 47
government organizations attending the inauguration ceremony at Woljeongsa Temple. Since then, the association has
held numerous dharma services, templestays, and pilgrimages to share friendship and discuss life as Buddhist employees
of the government. There are now sub-organizations in all 16 major Korean cities and the membership is over 10,000 from
over 160 government organizations.
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,
which has seen great progress throughout the years. The association will continue to progress through increasing
membership, creating more sub-organizations, and maintaining good ties with local temples.”
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
Buddhists must espouse the principle of Kwanseum Bosal’ s compassion, which looks after and fulfills the needs of
beings. The path to true happiness is to always give to our neighbors, society, and nation. The Government Buddhist
Association will surely endure if we follow the association’
s motto of doing our government ’
s work just as Buddha would.”
There were also awards given out to the sub-organizations for outstanding activities. Naksansa Temple also gave a
donation for the progress of the association. Each participant also received prayer beads and a book written by Naksansa
Temple’ s Jeongnyeom Sunim.
2. Mahabodhi Society’s Ven. Rewata Visits Ven. Jaseung.
Ven. Rewata, Secretary General of India’ s Mahabodhi Society paid a visit to Ven. Jaseung at the Jogye Order
administration building on November 4 to request for more inter-exchange between Korea and India.
Ven. Rewata said,“ I’ m visiting Korea for the Korean publication of a biography of Ven. Anakarika Dharmapala, the
founder of the Mahabodhi Society. Ven. Dharmapala devoted his life to the revival of Buddhism in India.”The book
is titled“Pioneer of the Revival of Buddhism in India.”Ven. Rewata expressed his wishes for continued good will
and cultural exchange between Korean and Indian Buddhism.
Ven. Jaseung said,“ We have carefully enshrined the Buddha relic at Jogyesa Temple that Ven. Dharmapala offered
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.”
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3. Jogye Order Offers Rice to North Korea at 3rd Year Anniversary of Shingyesa Temple
The Jogye Order held the three-year anniversary of the restoration of Shingyesa Temple on Geumgang Mountain in
North Korea on October 13. The Jogye Order Offices for the Promotion of National Unity offered relief aid materials
at a spring water plant on Geumgang Mountain. Thereafter, they offered 30 tones of rice to North Korea’ s Joseon
Buddhist Solidarity at Shingyesa Temple. In the afternoon, there was a dharma service to commemorate the three-
year anniversary. Next is an excerpt from the aspiration prayer from the service:
“ We are all descendents of the same forefathers. We have worked toward unification together, and together we will
prosper in a unified Korea. We Buddhists from the North and South must go forth together with courage and
determination on the path toward unification.”
4. World Archival Experts Visits Jogye Order Archives
World archival experts visited the Jogye Order Archives at the administration building on October 15. Professor
Anne Jillian from UCLA’ s Archival Studies Department, Helen Sweneton, researcher from England’ s HSCB Bank
Archives, Peter Blum, director of the Heidelberg Archives, and other specialists visited to tour the Jogye Order
Archives. They also had lunch at Baru (Jogye Order restaurant) followed by a PowerPoint presentation on the Jogye
Order Archives.
The Jogye Order Archives began organizing records in 2000 to store Korean Buddhist and Jogye Order records
using modern archival methods. The archives officially opened its doors in 2004 and now has plans to expand the
archives to include firstly the 24 district head temples and eventually all of the more than 2500 Jogye Order temples.
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.
Korea has historically kept very good records in a traditional manner such as the 84,000 wood panels of the
Buddhist canon at Haeinsa Temple, which is one of several Korean record artifacts that are UNESCO designated
world cultural artifacts. However, modern record keeping is relatively new and the Jogye Order is on the forefront of
the new archival systems. Korea has now rapidly adopted the modern archival methods in the fields of government,
commerce, private sectors, and religion. The Jogye Order has a sound beginning in this field and plans to expand
and improve the archival system to preserve Korean Buddhist culture and Jogye Order history.
These world archival experts are in Korea for a two-day conference on Archival Studies at Hankuk University of
Foreign Studies.
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Jogye Order News

5 6

5. Ven. Jaseung Visits Victims of Atomic Bomb

Ven. Jaseung visited the House of Peace, center for victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs to offer
words of encouragement. Ven. Jaseung offered a monetary donation and said,“I hope this will help a little the
victims of the atomic bomb.”In addition, Ven. Jaseung has begun a fundraising to build a rehabilitation center for
2011. He also said that he will personally buy 100 pyeong (330m2).
The House of Peace opened on March 1 of this year in Hapcheon County to support second generation victims of
the atomic bomb. This is the first project of the“With Asia,”an organization to help the underprivileged and poor in
and outside of Korea. This organization is headed by former director of Jogye Order Department of Social Affairs,
Ven. Jiwon.
There is a reason why this center was built in Hapcheon County. According to the 2010 census, of the 2600 victims
of the atomic bomb, 600 live in Hapcheon County. The Hapcheon County commissioner Ha Chang-hwan said,
“During the Japanese occupation, Koreans from Hapcheon County were forcibly relocated to Hiroshima. That is
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.

6. Supreme Patriarch of Cambodian Buddhism, Most Ven. Tep Vong visits Ven. Jaseung
Most Ven. Tep Vong, the Supreme Patriarch of Cambodian Buddhism visited Ven. Jaseung at the Jogye Order
administration building on September 28.
Ven. Jaseung said,“Korean weather is a little cold. Please take good care of your health, and I hope you will have a
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
their best regards to you, Ven. Jaseung. I hope the relationship between our nation’ s Buddhist communities will
strengthen.”
Most Ven. Tep Vong also said,“I heard that Cambodian international brides live happily in Korea. Now we have
become closer through blood relations. I hope our relationship will develop toward happiness.”He also requested
for the Korean Buddhist community to watch over the multicultural families.
Ven. Jaseung responded,“Our order will help where we can. I hope Korean Buddhism will engage in cultural
exchange with Theravada Buddhism. I hope our Buddhist communites can contribute to world peace.”Ven.
Jaseung also requested Most Ven. Tep Vong to relay his respects to the King and Prime Minister.

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