Apr 29, 2024 – North America East Coast Dharma Q&A Tour (1)
Hello. Today marks the beginning of the 2024 North American East Coast Dharma Q&A tour, starting in New York.
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport this morning at 11 AM after a 14-hour flight from Korea, which he boarded at 10 AM the previous day.
After clearing immigration, he was greeted by volunteers of Jungto Society, including Mr. Kim Myeong-ho, a member of New York Jungto Society, who had arrived earlier.
We traveled by car to the residence of Mr. Kim Myeong-ho and Ms. Yoo Jeong-hee. The couple had offered to provide lodging and meals for Sunim for four days while he held Dharma Q&As in the vicinity of New York.
“Mr. Myeong-ho, how have you been?”
“I’ve been well. But it seems that you haven’t been doing too well…”
“I’ve also been well. I’ve been traveling and visiting all sorts of places around the world.”
“Can you physically handle it?”
“I don’t have time to consider that. I just keep going.”
“You seem to be working too hard every day…”
“Since I’m a monk, I work hard every day.”
(In Korean, joong-nodong means hard work with “joong” meaning “hard” and “nodong” meaning “work.” Monk in Korean is also pronounced “joong.” So Sunim used the pun to joke that he worked hard because he was a monk, and everybody laughed.)
We had a fun conversation during the car ride, and before we knew it, we arrived at the accommodation. Mr. Kim Myeong-ho, Ms. Yoo Jeong-hee, and the other volunteers bowed three times to Sunim.
“Thank you.”
We had lunch together. After unpacking and resting for a while, we left for Columbia University at 5 PM for the Dharma Q&A.
After meeting Venerable Pomnyun Sunim at an ordination Dharma talk in Korea seven years ago, Venerable Gowoo Sunim had come to study in the U.S. Last year, she attended a Dharma Q&A that Venerable Pomnyun Sunim gave in the U.S. and requested that he also give a Dharma Q&A at Columbia University. Venerable Gowoo Sunim greeted them upon arrival in the parking lot.
Columbia University was experiencing a heightening of tensions across its campus due to protests against the bombing of Gaza by Israel. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators had occupied Hamilton Hall on the New York campus and set up barricades inside. The administration demanded the tents be removed by 2 PM local time or students would face disciplinary actions, and only Columbia students with valid IDs were allowed to enter the buildings.
The protests, which had been quieting down, spread to other universities after the police dismantled the tents of protesters, and they intensified within Columbia University. Ven. Gowoo Sunim has prepared for Venerable Pomnyun Sunim’s Dharma Q&A with the students of the Buddhist Student Association. Fortunately, despite the protests on campus, the university allowed the event to proceed as planned, provided that a list of pre-registered attendees was submitted and identities verified. Students had to register once, while outsiders needed to register twice to attend the event.
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was no exception. He had to show his ID and have his identity verified before entering Columbia University. On campus, the cherry blossoms were falling.
Upon arriving at the Earl Hall Auditorium, the venue for today’s Dharma Q&A, Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was warmly welcomed by monks from nearby New York temples such as Wongaksa Temple, Wonjeoksa Temple, and Daegwanumsa Temple.
Prior to the Dharma Q&A, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim had a brief conversation with Venerable Jigwang Sunim, the abbot of Wongaksa Temple, and Venerable Gowoo Sunim. Venerable Jigwang Sunim had kindly prepared dinner for the audience attending the event.
“Did you face any difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic?”
“Yes, Jungto Society had to dismantle 200 Dharma centers and switch to an online format due to the pandemic. Our revenue decreased, but so did our expenses, so it’s been manageable. Now that we have fewer expenses, it’s safer in a way.”
During the conversation, Susan, one of the graduates from the first cohort of Online English Dharma School, and her husband, came to pay respects to Venerable Pomnyun Sunim. They had come from New Jersey.
“Jungto Society will soon take over America. I brought my husband today to spread the teachings.”
The monk responded with a smile.
“Isn’t it hard living with such an enthusiastic wife?”
“Her energy keeps me alive.” (Laughter)
Professor Janice Shin soon arrived and had a brief conversation with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim.
When Venerable Pomnyun Sunim had visited the U.S. last year, Professor Shin had proposed a learning project for children with disabilities in Vietnam. He reiterated JTS’s principle of operating solely through volunteer work and mentioned that he would look for suitable people to conduct the project.
“JTS is operated entirely by volunteers, so we don’t spend any money on salaries. We can provide food to those who need it, but we do not fund children’s college expenses because we believe that anyone who graduates from middle school or higher can make a living. JTS supports only those below the subsistence level. Individuals whose situations are above that level must support themselves. Buddhism teaches living at the minimum level of consumption, so individuals are free to earn more money, but JTS does not provide support for that. Therefore, we operate based on the principle of volunteerism. Still, we’ll see if there’s a way to make use of your expertise.”
At one side of the lecture hall, activities like making short beads and lotus flowers from paper cups were underway. On the other side, dinner was prepared for the attendees. Attendees engaged in these activities while waiting for the Dharma Q&A to start.
Contrary to worries about a low turnout due to the challenging circumstances on campus, all 182 seats were filled, and an extra row of chairs had to be added at the back.
The Dharma Q&A began at 7:10 PM. Venerable Gowoo Sunim presented a detailed introduction of Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, and the audience gave him a big round of applause as he took the stage. Jason provided the English interpretation.
“The Buddha was born into a life of privilege. He was a prince envied by many. However, he was deeply troubled. The philosophies and religions of his time did not solve human suffering. Thus, he began to explore “why people suffer.” Had he been poor or of low status, he might have prayed for wealth or higher status. But having no need for anything more, he instead explored human suffering.
Why Buddhism Is Essential for Modern People
I believe this mirrors our reality today. We don’t struggle with daily needs like eating, dressing, or sleeping. People from the past would wonder what troubles us. Yet, are we not troubled today? Do we not have worries? Thus, the issue that the Buddha addressed 2,600 years ago transcends time and applies to us today.
Buddha’s first question was “Why do people suffer?” If you look at your life and realize you have various worries and sufferings, you share Buddha’s concern.
His second question was “Do you want to continue living in suffering?” If not, you must explore the causes of suffering. Suffering isn’t innate. It’s neither a result of past lives nor divine will. It arises from specific causes. Identifying and eliminating these causes can free us from suffering. The Buddha paved the way for us to live without suffering.
How Can I Be Free and Happy?
The ultimate goal of Buddhism isn’t to be reborn in a better place, become wealthy in the next life, or receive blessings in this life. It’s about how to live freely and happily without suffering and stress. This is the original teaching of Buddhism. Therefore, in our conversation today, I would like to narrow down the scope of Buddhism. I want to focus our discussion not on Buddhism as a religion or philosophy but as a practice for living without suffering.
I believe that the essence of Buddhist practice lies not so much in studying religious topics like “What is Buddhism?” but rather in the process of resolving the personal afflictions and questions you may have. I encourage you to share your troubles and questions freely today, and through our conversation, we can move toward a perspective free from suffering. Dharma talks do not necessarily have to be about Buddhist stories found in the sutras. If, in the course of talking about your afflictions, they dissipate, then that in itself is a Dharma talk.”
The session then opened to questions. Over two hours, eight people engaged in conversations with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim. One person expressed fear about the quick passage of time and asked for advice on how to manage his feelings.
I Am Afraid of the Swift Passage of Time
“I am afraid of time passing too quickly. I had to part from my family and friends to come here to Columbia University. When I feel sad, time passes slowly. Then, when I feel happy, time flies. But these days, that time passes quickly whether I am happy or not. Everything in my life is changing. I am afraid that time is passing so quickly.”
“That’s just your perception. You are free to think as you wish. If thinking this way makes you happy, you can continue doing it. However, if it causes suffering, I advise you to change it. In truth, time is neither fast nor slow. It merely changes.”
“Yes, I understand. Whenever I think about my past memories, like breaking up with my girlfriend, I feel sad. Even when I am happy, I feel sad when I reminisce about the past.”
“Why dwell on sad memories? Do you want to live in misery? If so, continue to dwell on those thoughts. Otherwise, you must shake them off. Watch a movie or go for a run to distract yourself. Imagine someone gives you a gift, and you happily open it only to find it’s trash. What would you do?”
“I would feel disappointed and throw it away.”
“You say you’d throw it away, but why do you keep carrying it around and reopening it? Just when you might forget, you remind yourself by reopening it and torment yourself by thinking, “How could they give me trash?” If someone presents you with trash, just recognize it as trash and throw it away. If you want to cling to the past, you’re free to do so, but it’s foolish. The teaching of the Buddha emphasizes being awake in the here and now.”
“I don’t think I conveyed my question clearly. My point is that even from unpleasant memories, I always manage to learn something or obtain a lesson. So, I long for my past memories because they are helpful for me. “
“Being nostalgic about the past means you like living the way you have, right? If you like living that way, continue dwelling on old memories.
In my view, breaking up isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You may have broken up, but you’ve dated someone, haven’t you? I am doing fine despite never having dated anyone, so why can’t you? (Laughter) In a way, a breakup can be an opportunity for you to date new people. If you move from one relationship to another, you may face criticism. But if the other person breaks up with you, you won’t be criticized whomever you choose to date afterward. If they break up with you, just say, “Thank you.” (Laughter)
Actually, it’s not a big deal. The root cause of suffering is ignorance. To elaborate, the first cause is desire, the second is karma—urge to act according to our habit—, and the third is ignorance due to not understanding the true nature of things. Buddhism describes these three causes of suffering as the three poisons: greed, anger, and ignorance. These are the toxic elements of our mental functions.
Don’t memorize the Buddha’s teachings like a doctrine. Instead, apply them in your life to answer the question, “Why does suffering occur?” as you continue to practice. As I mentioned earlier, the issues that Buddha was concerned with are similar to the issues we face today. Therefore, there’s no need to reinterpret the Buddha’s teachings in a modern context. The original perspective still applies and can solve the problems we face today. This path is an ancient road leading to the future; it has existed since the past and will continue into the future.”
As the Dharma Q&A continued, more and more people raised their hands to ask questions:
- What is the essence of the mind? Does the mind have a substance?
- What causes our suffering? Is it because we truly don’t know who we are? How can we explain ourselves beyond the physical and mental realm?
- How is Buddhism different from nihilism? What is the meaning of life?
- I have so much to do, like schoolwork and club activities, that I often work late into the night and don’t get enough sleep, which makes me miserable.
- I was subject to severe bullying in middle and high school. I want to live without suffering and forgive those who hurt me, but I find it hard to function in society, and I often can’t sleep. Medication doesn’t seem to help. What should I do?
- How can we balance economic growth with environmental protection?
- It seems that suffering arises both from external circumstances and internal reasons. I wonder if desire is always bad. Sometimes, it seems that desire helps me improve, achieve more, and be more productive.
Not everyone’s questions could be addressed due to time constraints, and the Dharma Q&A concluded as scheduled at 9 PM.
At the conclusion of the Dharma Q&A, Venerable Pomnyun Sunim asked a Thai monk sitting in the front row,
“Did you understand the things I said?”
“I didn’t catch everything, but I grasped the essence.”
A foreign monk with blue eyes also came forward, thanked Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, and showed his respect by touching his feet.
“I really appreciated today’s Dharma talk.”
At Venerable Gowoo Sunim’s request, Venerable Pomnyun Sunim participated in the ritual to bathe the baby Buddha.
After the ritual, many people came forward to express their gratitude.
“I really appreciated today’s Dharma Q&A. I’m a graduate of the English Jungto Dharma School. I’m really looking forward to the Sutra Course.”
Another attendee thanked Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, “Your Dharma talk was a great help during these tough times. Thank you.”
People lined up to take photos with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim.
After a long session of taking photos, the monks and Venerable Pomnyun Sunim conversed about the current state of nearby temples.
“Thank you. I should be going now.”
Venerable Gowoo Sunim followed him out.
“I can show myself out. Please wrap things up here with the students.”
“No, let me accompany you to the entrance.”
Venerable Gowoo Sunim expressed her gratitude to the Venerable Pomnyun Sunim.
“Today’s talk was wonderful. I really wanted the Columbia students to hear your teachings. I’m glad I could realize this dream before graduating. It was even more meaningful since the event coincided with the protests at the school.”
Although questions about the Israel-Palestine conflict were anticipated, no one brought it up during the Dharma Q&A, maybe because the topic was too sensitive. Venerable Gowoo Sunim attempted to offer a donation to Venerable Pomnyun Sunim as a token of gratitude, but he respectfully declined.
“Please use it for the Buddhist Student Association. First, I don’t accept monetary compensation after Dharma Q&As. Secondly, since the Jungto Society has transitioned online, the contributions from our members alone are sufficient. We can manage without this money.”
“Thank you.”
Venerable Gowoo Sunim ended up accompanying him to the parking lot to say goodbye. They parted ways, and Venerable Pomnyun Sunim left Columbia University for his accommodation at 10 PM, arriving close to 11 PM.
After a late dinner and further conversation, we concluded the day.
Tomorrow, the second Dharma Q&A of the North American East Coast Tour will take place in Boston. Sunim will travel by car for six hours to Boston to meet Professor Park Gibum at Harvard Medical School and then proceed to Harvard University for a Dharma Q&A with English interpretation.
