<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n We have looked into helping the local community to set up a micro-financing and micro-banking scheme, but because of local security issues, we haven\u2019t been able to move ahead with that yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n If the locals had landholdings, we could help them set up and manage a cooperative. Then they could increase their earnings by working together. However, most of the local residents are Dalits,*** who don\u2019t have any land holdings and can only earn money through their labor. And they\u2019re also shouldering high levels of debt. So far, we haven\u2019t found a sustainable way to overcome this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have looked into helping the local community to set up a micro-financing and micro-banking scheme, but because of local security issues, we haven\u2019t been able to move ahead with that yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n We also have a broader community-development plan, which was drawn up from the beginning but has yet to be fully implemented. We can say, for example, that we\u2019ve successfully solved the problem of ensuring access to clean drinking water, but we fallen short of success in some areas, such as increasing the earnings of local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the locals had landholdings, we could help them set up and manage a cooperative. Then they could increase their earnings by working together. However, most of the local residents are Dalits,*** who don\u2019t have any land holdings and can only earn money through their labor. And they\u2019re also shouldering high levels of debt. So far, we haven\u2019t found a sustainable way to overcome this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have looked into helping the local community to set up a micro-financing and micro-banking scheme, but because of local security issues, we haven\u2019t been able to move ahead with that yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n Alongside these issues, there used to be a very high rate of tuberculosis within the community at Dungeshwari\u2014something like 300 people. Now there are fewer than 10 cases. So we can see that our aspiration to introduce a high level of comprehensive healthcare has also been successful. Likewise, the rate of infant mortality has been greatly reduced, as well as the mortality rate for women giving birth. And this is all thanks to setting up small local medical centers and mobile clinics, which can treat minor emergency cases and ailments\u2014broken bones, snake bites, and the like. For more serious health conditions, then we will send the local residents to a government hospital for more specialized treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We also have a broader community-development plan, which was drawn up from the beginning but has yet to be fully implemented. We can say, for example, that we\u2019ve successfully solved the problem of ensuring access to clean drinking water, but we fallen short of success in some areas, such as increasing the earnings of local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the locals had landholdings, we could help them set up and manage a cooperative. Then they could increase their earnings by working together. However, most of the local residents are Dalits,*** who don\u2019t have any land holdings and can only earn money through their labor. And they\u2019re also shouldering high levels of debt. So far, we haven\u2019t found a sustainable way to overcome this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have looked into helping the local community to set up a micro-financing and micro-banking scheme, but because of local security issues, we haven\u2019t been able to move ahead with that yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n So this is where we are now, and we have yet to make a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside these issues, there used to be a very high rate of tuberculosis within the community at Dungeshwari\u2014something like 300 people. Now there are fewer than 10 cases. So we can see that our aspiration to introduce a high level of comprehensive healthcare has also been successful. Likewise, the rate of infant mortality has been greatly reduced, as well as the mortality rate for women giving birth. And this is all thanks to setting up small local medical centers and mobile clinics, which can treat minor emergency cases and ailments\u2014broken bones, snake bites, and the like. For more serious health conditions, then we will send the local residents to a government hospital for more specialized treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We also have a broader community-development plan, which was drawn up from the beginning but has yet to be fully implemented. We can say, for example, that we\u2019ve successfully solved the problem of ensuring access to clean drinking water, but we fallen short of success in some areas, such as increasing the earnings of local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the locals had landholdings, we could help them set up and manage a cooperative. Then they could increase their earnings by working together. However, most of the local residents are Dalits,*** who don\u2019t have any land holdings and can only earn money through their labor. And they\u2019re also shouldering high levels of debt. So far, we haven\u2019t found a sustainable way to overcome this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have looked into helping the local community to set up a micro-financing and micro-banking scheme, but because of local security issues, we haven\u2019t been able to move ahead with that yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n Conversely, there are people who ask whether it wouldn\u2019t be better for us to look at other communities where illiteracy and innumeracy are still rife, so that we can instead focus on addressing these basic issues for a greater number of people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So this is where we are now, and we have yet to make a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside these issues, there used to be a very high rate of tuberculosis within the community at Dungeshwari\u2014something like 300 people. Now there are fewer than 10 cases. So we can see that our aspiration to introduce a high level of comprehensive healthcare has also been successful. Likewise, the rate of infant mortality has been greatly reduced, as well as the mortality rate for women giving birth. And this is all thanks to setting up small local medical centers and mobile clinics, which can treat minor emergency cases and ailments\u2014broken bones, snake bites, and the like. For more serious health conditions, then we will send the local residents to a government hospital for more specialized treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We also have a broader community-development plan, which was drawn up from the beginning but has yet to be fully implemented. We can say, for example, that we\u2019ve successfully solved the problem of ensuring access to clean drinking water, but we fallen short of success in some areas, such as increasing the earnings of local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the locals had landholdings, we could help them set up and manage a cooperative. Then they could increase their earnings by working together. However, most of the local residents are Dalits,*** who don\u2019t have any land holdings and can only earn money through their labor. And they\u2019re also shouldering high levels of debt. So far, we haven\u2019t found a sustainable way to overcome this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have looked into helping the local community to set up a micro-financing and micro-banking scheme, but because of local security issues, we haven\u2019t been able to move ahead with that yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n In India, there is a great need for medical personnel, for example. And since India is now rapidly industrializing, there is also a great need for skilled tradespeople. So now I\u2019m thinking in terms of training in trades related to construction\u2014electricians, and so on. However, this goal is somewhat controversial within Jungto Society because our original intention was only to tackle the basics: ensuring literacy and numeracy for the community. At this point, we haven\u2019t concluded whether or not we can or should go beyond this level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, there are people who ask whether it wouldn\u2019t be better for us to look at other communities where illiteracy and innumeracy are still rife, so that we can instead focus on addressing these basic issues for a greater number of people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So this is where we are now, and we have yet to make a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside these issues, there used to be a very high rate of tuberculosis within the community at Dungeshwari\u2014something like 300 people. Now there are fewer than 10 cases. So we can see that our aspiration to introduce a high level of comprehensive healthcare has also been successful. Likewise, the rate of infant mortality has been greatly reduced, as well as the mortality rate for women giving birth. And this is all thanks to setting up small local medical centers and mobile clinics, which can treat minor emergency cases and ailments\u2014broken bones, snake bites, and the like. For more serious health conditions, then we will send the local residents to a government hospital for more specialized treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We also have a broader community-development plan, which was drawn up from the beginning but has yet to be fully implemented. We can say, for example, that we\u2019ve successfully solved the problem of ensuring access to clean drinking water, but we fallen short of success in some areas, such as increasing the earnings of local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the locals had landholdings, we could help them set up and manage a cooperative. Then they could increase their earnings by working together. However, most of the local residents are Dalits,*** who don\u2019t have any land holdings and can only earn money through their labor. And they\u2019re also shouldering high levels of debt. So far, we haven\u2019t found a sustainable way to overcome this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have looked into helping the local community to set up a micro-financing and micro-banking scheme, but because of local security issues, we haven\u2019t been able to move ahead with that yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n Since it would likely be too difficult for us to provide higher education for all the children and to ensure that they are all employed, I am instead thinking about the alternative possibility of providing technical training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In India, there is a great need for medical personnel, for example. And since India is now rapidly industrializing, there is also a great need for skilled tradespeople. So now I\u2019m thinking in terms of training in trades related to construction\u2014electricians, and so on. However, this goal is somewhat controversial within Jungto Society because our original intention was only to tackle the basics: ensuring literacy and numeracy for the community. At this point, we haven\u2019t concluded whether or not we can or should go beyond this level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, there are people who ask whether it wouldn\u2019t be better for us to look at other communities where illiteracy and innumeracy are still rife, so that we can instead focus on addressing these basic issues for a greater number of people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So this is where we are now, and we have yet to make a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside these issues, there used to be a very high rate of tuberculosis within the community at Dungeshwari\u2014something like 300 people. Now there are fewer than 10 cases. So we can see that our aspiration to introduce a high level of comprehensive healthcare has also been successful. Likewise, the rate of infant mortality has been greatly reduced, as well as the mortality rate for women giving birth. And this is all thanks to setting up small local medical centers and mobile clinics, which can treat minor emergency cases and ailments\u2014broken bones, snake bites, and the like. For more serious health conditions, then we will send the local residents to a government hospital for more specialized treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We also have a broader community-development plan, which was drawn up from the beginning but has yet to be fully implemented. We can say, for example, that we\u2019ve successfully solved the problem of ensuring access to clean drinking water, but we fallen short of success in some areas, such as increasing the earnings of local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the locals had landholdings, we could help them set up and manage a cooperative. Then they could increase their earnings by working together. However, most of the local residents are Dalits,*** who don\u2019t have any land holdings and can only earn money through their labor. And they\u2019re also shouldering high levels of debt. So far, we haven\u2019t found a sustainable way to overcome this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have looked into helping the local community to set up a micro-financing and micro-banking scheme, but because of local security issues, we haven\u2019t been able to move ahead with that yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n Ven. Pomnyun Sunim: <\/strong>From the beginning, our primary goal at Sujata Academy was to eradicate illiteracy in Dungeshwari. Now that we can see we\u2019ve been quite successful in attaining that goal, our remaining work could be providing higher education for the children, or assistance to help them find employment. You might say that this is our remaining objective, but, at the same time, I know that it\u2019s unlikely we can completely address this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since it would likely be too difficult for us to provide higher education for all the children and to ensure that they are all employed, I am instead thinking about the alternative possibility of providing technical training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In India, there is a great need for medical personnel, for example. And since India is now rapidly industrializing, there is also a great need for skilled tradespeople. So now I\u2019m thinking in terms of training in trades related to construction\u2014electricians, and so on. However, this goal is somewhat controversial within Jungto Society because our original intention was only to tackle the basics: ensuring literacy and numeracy for the community. At this point, we haven\u2019t concluded whether or not we can or should go beyond this level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, there are people who ask whether it wouldn\u2019t be better for us to look at other communities where illiteracy and innumeracy are still rife, so that we can instead focus on addressing these basic issues for a greater number of people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So this is where we are now, and we have yet to make a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside these issues, there used to be a very high rate of tuberculosis within the community at Dungeshwari\u2014something like 300 people. Now there are fewer than 10 cases. So we can see that our aspiration to introduce a high level of comprehensive healthcare has also been successful. Likewise, the rate of infant mortality has been greatly reduced, as well as the mortality rate for women giving birth. And this is all thanks to setting up small local medical centers and mobile clinics, which can treat minor emergency cases and ailments\u2014broken bones, snake bites, and the like. For more serious health conditions, then we will send the local residents to a government hospital for more specialized treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We also have a broader community-development plan, which was drawn up from the beginning but has yet to be fully implemented. We can say, for example, that we\u2019ve successfully solved the problem of ensuring access to clean drinking water, but we fallen short of success in some areas, such as increasing the earnings of local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the locals had landholdings, we could help them set up and manage a cooperative. Then they could increase their earnings by working together. However, most of the local residents are Dalits,*** who don\u2019t have any land holdings and can only earn money through their labor. And they\u2019re also shouldering high levels of debt. So far, we haven\u2019t found a sustainable way to overcome this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have looked into helping the local community to set up a micro-financing and micro-banking scheme, but because of local security issues, we haven\u2019t been able to move ahead with that yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \n Ven. Pomnyun Sunim: <\/strong>From the beginning, our primary goal at Sujata Academy was to eradicate illiteracy in Dungeshwari. Now that we can see we\u2019ve been quite successful in attaining that goal, our remaining work could be providing higher education for the children, or assistance to help them find employment. You might say that this is our remaining objective, but, at the same time, I know that it\u2019s unlikely we can completely address this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since it would likely be too difficult for us to provide higher education for all the children and to ensure that they are all employed, I am instead thinking about the alternative possibility of providing technical training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In India, there is a great need for medical personnel, for example. And since India is now rapidly industrializing, there is also a great need for skilled tradespeople. So now I\u2019m thinking in terms of training in trades related to construction\u2014electricians, and so on. However, this goal is somewhat controversial within Jungto Society because our original intention was only to tackle the basics: ensuring literacy and numeracy for the community. At this point, we haven\u2019t concluded whether or not we can or should go beyond this level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, there are people who ask whether it wouldn\u2019t be better for us to look at other communities where illiteracy and innumeracy are still rife, so that we can instead focus on addressing these basic issues for a greater number of people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So this is where we are now, and we have yet to make a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside these issues, there used to be a very high rate of tuberculosis within the community at Dungeshwari\u2014something like 300 people. Now there are fewer than 10 cases. So we can see that our aspiration to introduce a high level of comprehensive healthcare has also been successful. Likewise, the rate of infant mortality has been greatly reduced, as well as the mortality rate for women giving birth. And this is all thanks to setting up small local medical centers and mobile clinics, which can treat minor emergency cases and ailments\u2014broken bones, snake bites, and the like. For more serious health conditions, then we will send the local residents to a government hospital for more specialized treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We also have a broader community-development plan, which was drawn up from the beginning but has yet to be fully implemented. We can say, for example, that we\u2019ve successfully solved the problem of ensuring access to clean drinking water, but we fallen short of success in some areas, such as increasing the earnings of local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the locals had landholdings, we could help them set up and manage a cooperative. Then they could increase their earnings by working together. However, most of the local residents are Dalits,*** who don\u2019t have any land holdings and can only earn money through their labor. And they\u2019re also shouldering high levels of debt. So far, we haven\u2019t found a sustainable way to overcome this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have looked into helping the local community to set up a micro-financing and micro-banking scheme, but because of local security issues, we haven\u2019t been able to move ahead with that yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the current situation as it stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/features\/footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Footsteps of the Buddha: Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the Transformative Power of Engaged Buddhism","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"footsteps-of-the-buddha-ven-pomnyun-sunim-and-the-transformative-power-of-engaged-buddhism","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-04-03 18:15:56","post_modified_gmt":"2024-04-03 23:15:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=18368","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_36"}; \nBDG: 2024 is something of a landmark year for Jungto Society, marking the 33rd Jungto pilgrimage to India as well as the 30th anniversary of Sujata Academy.** Can you talk a little about your aspirations for the future of Sujata Academy?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n