Jungto Dharma School students visited the Seattle Junto Retreat Center on Sunday May 29, 2022.
A total of 12 people participated: five students from the Dharma School, one guest of a student, and six Jungto practitioners from the Greater Seattle Area.
There was a severe storm a few days prior to the visit, which caused one of the trees next to the vegetable garden to fall. The students were eager to help remove the tree from the vegetable garden.
Sunmi Kim, the manager of the Seattle Jungto Retreat Center, greeted the students with a bright smile as we arrived. Once everyone had arrived, we gathered in a circle to introduce ourselves and share how we had discovered Jungto Society and the teachings of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. After the initial sharing, Sunmi introduced us to the history of the Seattle Jungto Retreat Center and showed us around the center, including the Buddha Hall and garden.
Hakno Kim, a Jungto practitioner, showed us where to find tools and how to use them. We picked up the tools and went to the vegetable garden to begin removing the tree. Prior to starting work, we gathered together and recited the Myeongshimmun three times:
“Everything has its place!
Everything has its place!
Everything has its place!”
Under Hakno’s direction and guidance, we started to work. Hakno cut the tree branches and trunk using a chainsaw. The students and the other practitioners moved the cut pieces from the vegetable garden to the other side of the fence. When this was complete, we spent the rest of our time pulling weeds from the vegetable garden.
We stopped working in the garden at 11:30AM and sat down for Indian Chai tea, which had been prepared by Chetan, a Dharma School student, and Sunmi.
We were so grateful to Chetan as he also brought a cake with the words “Happy Practitioner” written on top. What an outstanding idea! We all shouted “I’m a happy practitioner” and recited the following to express our gratitude:
“I eat this meal with gratitude, thinking of all the people who made it possible for me to have this food.
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
I take refuge in the Sangha.”
While having tea and cake, we shared how we felt while working in the garden and about our experiences in Dharma School. The following is some of what the students shared:
“Dharma School changed my life; I am much better at dealing with my stress and am much more relaxed. I appreciate Sunim’s teaching and the Jungto volunteers.” – Gordon
“I love to come to the Jungto Retreat Center for gardening work. It relaxes me. I am so glad to learn the Dharma from Sunim. I learned something that I never knew before: all my suffering comes from inside of myself, not from others.” – Christopher
“Sunim’s answers to questions are unexpected but very clear to me. His teaching lightens my life.” – Chetan
“I reflect on myself every day as I perform the daily practice exercises. I feel lighthearted, relaxed, and peaceful. I would like to thank Sunim and the Jungto volunteers.” – Ruha
“I love Sunim’s scientific mind and his teaching on seeing things as they are.” – Robert
“I have seen Gordon change positively since he started Dharma School. I am looking forward to joining the Dharma School this fall.” – Shiao
After the sharing, we had Korean food for lunch. Everyone was very hungry and were happy to partake in eating the food. We all made sure to only take what we could consume and clean our plates. Everyone pitched in to wash the dishes, put them away, and clean the kitchen.
After completing all the tasks, we recited the Myeongshimmun three times:
“Everything has its place!
Everything has its place!
Everything has its place!”
Despite the hard work, everyone was very happy to see one another in person and to meet some of the other local Jungto practitioners. On top of that, we enjoyed the beautiful Seattle Jungto Retreat Center and learned the history of the Center. We would love to see everyone again the next time we visit the Center.
We hope that all the students continue to practice the Dharma and become free and happy practitioners.
