Essays

Benjamin Bell: U.S. Buddhist in Seoul by JOKB

  Benjamin Bell: U.S. Buddhist in Seoul When Benjamin V. Bell tells people he is a Buddhist, the reaction from most is: "Pure surprise, and usually laughter and smiles, because we literally are all one in the universe (and) they know that. "But because I`m American, maybe they expect me to be like a certain outgoing cowboy from Texas who uses `strategery` to become the `decider,`" he said. Being a foreign Buddhist in K..# 2009.01.21

Buddhist Center Serves Free Lunch by JOKB

Wongaksa Buddhist Center Serves Lunch for the Elderly around Pagoda Park   There is no one at home.  The wife passed away a few years back.  The children are grown.  They don’t call much.  The old man is alone.  Where does he go?  Without a specific destination, he will take the bus or subway.  He will get off at Jongno 3ga Station.  He will invariably stroll into Pagoda Park (Tapkol Gongwon).  He’ll take up a game of Baduk..# 2008.12.21

Korean English Dictionary of Buddhism by JOKB

Korean English Dictionary of Buddhism..# 2008.12.18

The Whole World is a Single Flower Conference 2008 by Dok Jang

세계일화   世界一花   The Whole World Is a Single Flower Last September, the seventh tri-annual “The Whole World Is a Single Flower” international Buddhist conference took place in Eastern Europe . Every three years the conference is hosted in a different country where Seon Master Seung Sahn's teaching is alive, and has been practiced in one of his numerous Seon centers. In 2005, the conference was held in , and this year it crossed the..# 2008.11.26

10 Virtues of Vegetarianism by JOKB

10 Virtues of Vegetarianism# 2008.07.17

Two Kinds of Homesickness by Matthew Wegehaupt

One thousand or so years ago, a monk of the Silla dynasty named Hyecho made an amazing journey to what were then called the “Five Kingdoms of India.” Venturing west from China, Hyecho meandered on foot first through the pilgrimage sites of Buddhism and then beyond, reaching all the way to modern-day Tibet, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, before safely returning. We know all this because some one hundred years ago, a fragmentary manuscript of Hy..# 2007.10.31

Leaving Home by Myong Haeng

All of those who have experienced life as foreigners here in Korea have gotten used to a certain level of inquisitiveness from people on the street. Some of the most common questions asked are, of course, “Where are you from?”, or “Do you like Korean food?”# 2007.10.30

Alive and . . . well . . . by Matthew Wegehaupt

What’s been most comfortable and consistent in my relationship with Korean Buddhism is the general openness that welcomes my presence as a foreign layperson at temples across the country. The achim yebul (morning service) in particular was once a frightening cacophony. The complex chants and choreographed group prostrations were a nerve-wracking 4:00 am test, one I knew I’d fail – stumbling, sweating, mumbling through the chants and bows. Yet, n..# 2007.09.11

Can Tourism Save Korean Buddhism? by JOKB

Can Tourism Save Korean Buddhism? [Opinion] Tania Campbell on the state of religion in this predominantly Christian nation Buddhism has been an integral part of Korean culture for nearly 2,000 years. With the meteoric rise of Christianity, however, it is losing its relevance and is seen as something to be suspicious of. Hope for reviving and preserving this religious tradition may come in the form of tourists, travelers, pilgrims and seekers who..# 2007.03.16

Son Buddhism - Korean Zen by JOKB

Son Buddhism - Korean Zen The Korean word for Ch'an or Zen is Son. Buddhism is highly significant in Korea. The latest figures (1991) show 26 Buddhist sects and 9,231 temples with more than 11 million followers in Korea. The largest Son sect today in Korea is the Chogye Order which includes about 90% of Korean Buddhists. The name 'Chogye' is significant in that it was named after the mountain in south China where the great Sixth Patriarch, H..# 2007.03.16