Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

By Category

• Buddhism
• Career
• Emotions
• Family
• Featured Talk
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relationship
• Social Issue

\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

By Category

• Buddhism
• Career
• Emotions
• Family
• Featured Talk
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relationship
• Social Issue

\n

\u201cIt is suffering caused by not being awake in the present and being caught up in thoughts of the past. If you are awake in the present, suffering will dissipate. Being aware does not make you suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

By Category

• Buddhism
• Career
• Emotions
• Family
• Featured Talk
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relationship
• Social Issue

\n

\u201cSometimes the awareness itself is too much to handle. Many old feelings, including anger and frustration, come back. It takes less time to resolve the emotion, but it tends to go back to it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is suffering caused by not being awake in the present and being caught up in thoughts of the past. If you are awake in the present, suffering will dissipate. Being aware does not make you suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

By Category

• Buddhism
• Career
• Emotions
• Family
• Featured Talk
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relationship
• Social Issue

\n

Sometimes awareness is hard to handle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes the awareness itself is too much to handle. Many old feelings, including anger and frustration, come back. It takes less time to resolve the emotion, but it tends to go back to it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is suffering caused by not being awake in the present and being caught up in thoughts of the past. If you are awake in the present, suffering will dissipate. Being aware does not make you suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

By Category

• Buddhism
• Career
• Emotions
• Family
• Featured Talk
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relationship
• Social Issue

\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes awareness is hard to handle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes the awareness itself is too much to handle. Many old feelings, including anger and frustration, come back. It takes less time to resolve the emotion, but it tends to go back to it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is suffering caused by not being awake in the present and being caught up in thoughts of the past. If you are awake in the present, suffering will dissipate. Being aware does not make you suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

By Category

• Buddhism
• Career
• Emotions
• Family
• Featured Talk
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relationship
• Social Issue

\n

Each of them introduced themselves and then asked Ven. Pomnyun Sunim questions about things they were curious about while practicing. Among them, one person mentioned that while self-awareness had its benefits, it also brought challenges, and he asked what kind of perspective he should attain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes awareness is hard to handle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes the awareness itself is too much to handle. Many old feelings, including anger and frustration, come back. It takes less time to resolve the emotion, but it tends to go back to it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is suffering caused by not being awake in the present and being caught up in thoughts of the past. If you are awake in the present, suffering will dissipate. Being aware does not make you suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

By Category

• Buddhism
• Career
• Emotions
• Family
• Featured Talk
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relationship
• Social Issue

\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Each of them introduced themselves and then asked Ven. Pomnyun Sunim questions about things they were curious about while practicing. Among them, one person mentioned that while self-awareness had its benefits, it also brought challenges, and he asked what kind of perspective he should attain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes awareness is hard to handle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes the awareness itself is too much to handle. Many old feelings, including anger and frustration, come back. It takes less time to resolve the emotion, but it tends to go back to it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is suffering caused by not being awake in the present and being caught up in thoughts of the past. If you are awake in the present, suffering will dissipate. Being aware does not make you suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

By Category

• Buddhism
• Career
• Emotions
• Family
• Featured Talk
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relationship
• Social Issue

\n

Professors and Sunim wanted to continue the conversation further, but said goodbye with the hope for the next meeting. And from 6 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim had a meeting with students attending the Introduction to Buddhism Course in English of Jungto Society. They were so delighted to finally see Sunim in person after interacting him online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Each of them introduced themselves and then asked Ven. Pomnyun Sunim questions about things they were curious about while practicing. Among them, one person mentioned that while self-awareness had its benefits, it also brought challenges, and he asked what kind of perspective he should attain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes awareness is hard to handle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes the awareness itself is too much to handle. Many old feelings, including anger and frustration, come back. It takes less time to resolve the emotion, but it tends to go back to it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is suffering caused by not being awake in the present and being caught up in thoughts of the past. If you are awake in the present, suffering will dissipate. Being aware does not make you suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

By Category

• Buddhism
• Career
• Emotions
• Family
• Featured Talk
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relationship
• Social Issue

\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Professors and Sunim wanted to continue the conversation further, but said goodbye with the hope for the next meeting. And from 6 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim had a meeting with students attending the Introduction to Buddhism Course in English of Jungto Society. They were so delighted to finally see Sunim in person after interacting him online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Each of them introduced themselves and then asked Ven. Pomnyun Sunim questions about things they were curious about while practicing. Among them, one person mentioned that while self-awareness had its benefits, it also brought challenges, and he asked what kind of perspective he should attain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes awareness is hard to handle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes the awareness itself is too much to handle. Many old feelings, including anger and frustration, come back. It takes less time to resolve the emotion, but it tends to go back to it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is suffering caused by not being awake in the present and being caught up in thoughts of the past. If you are awake in the present, suffering will dissipate. Being aware does not make you suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

By Category

• Buddhism
• Career
• Emotions
• Family
• Featured Talk
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relationship
• Social Issue

\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Professors and Sunim wanted to continue the conversation further, but said goodbye with the hope for the next meeting. And from 6 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim had a meeting with students attending the Introduction to Buddhism Course in English of Jungto Society. They were so delighted to finally see Sunim in person after interacting him online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Each of them introduced themselves and then asked Ven. Pomnyun Sunim questions about things they were curious about while practicing. Among them, one person mentioned that while self-awareness had its benefits, it also brought challenges, and he asked what kind of perspective he should attain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes awareness is hard to handle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes the awareness itself is too much to handle. Many old feelings, including anger and frustration, come back. It takes less time to resolve the emotion, but it tends to go back to it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is suffering caused by not being awake in the present and being caught up in thoughts of the past. If you are awake in the present, suffering will dissipate. Being aware does not make you suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and working are not separate but interconnected activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should apply Buddha's teachings to our lives. Buddha's teachings should become our way of life. Merely thinking with our minds is not truly studying Buddhism. Thoughts that arise in the mind are all delusions and worries. Do things as they come to mind. If it\u2019s wrong, fix it. If you made a mistake, apologize. If you don't know, ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering arises when you pretend to know when you don't know, when you pretend not to be wrong when you\u2019re wrong, or when you insist that you did right when you did wrong. Live your life freely. If there's a problem, fix it. Then, even in an imperfect state, you can live freely. I hope you live happily.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim will be traveling to Toronto, Canada to give a seventeenth Overseas Dharma Talk.<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Day of Sunim, Boston(Sep 15, 2023)","post_excerpt":"\u201cIt's difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.\u201d","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"a-day-of-sunim-bostonsep-15-2023","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:15","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=16814","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_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

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\n

\u201cThe current situation is not hopeful, but we must make an effort. Practitioners must continue to work hard until they become successful. Because North Korean citizens have endured severe suffering for too long. However, even if we want to provide humanitarian aid now, we cannot. Humanitarian aid can only be possible when tensions on the Korean Peninsula are eased. That's why I'm trying to come to the United States and meet people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Professors and Sunim wanted to continue the conversation further, but said goodbye with the hope for the next meeting. And from 6 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim had a meeting with students attending the Introduction to Buddhism Course in English of Jungto Society. They were so delighted to finally see Sunim in person after interacting him online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Each of them introduced themselves and then asked Ven. Pomnyun Sunim questions about things they were curious about while practicing. Among them, one person mentioned that while self-awareness had its benefits, it also brought challenges, and he asked what kind of perspective he should attain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes awareness is hard to handle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes the awareness itself is too much to handle. Many old feelings, including anger and frustration, come back. It takes less time to resolve the emotion, but it tends to go back to it again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is suffering caused by not being awake in the present and being caught up in thoughts of the past. If you are awake in the present, suffering will dissipate. Being aware does not make you suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Suffering is like watching a movie. For instance, when we watch a movie, it's playing on the screen, but nothing is actually happening. Even though the screen is just spinning, we feel sad when someone dies, and we also get angry when we see certain actions. When we turn off the screen, everything disappears, yet we wonder why we felt sadness and anger. It's because when the screen stimulates our senses, our brain mistakenly interprets it as if it is happening in the present moment. The same goes for reading. While it's just a story on the page, our brains often perceive it as if it was happening right now. This is why we can cry and laugh while reading a novel. When we do this, it seems like we're crazy to an observer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our brains tend to perceive thoughts as if they were happening in reality. When we think about the past, our brains feel like we were watching a movie. We feel angry, sad, or happy. Suffering often arises when we dwell on the past. When we imagine the future, \u2018What will happen to me when I get old?,\u2019 our brains feel it as reality. So, fear and anxiety arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice is being awake in the present without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Suffering often arises because we continually think about the past. Reflecting on the past is fine as long as it remains a memory without triggering emotions. However, when emotions are stirred, it signifies that the brain is deluding itself into thinking it's happening in reality. Medically, this is called \"trauma.\" It means that the wounds of the past have not yet healed. Even if you make an effort to forget and move on from the past, when you think about it, emotions arise because those wounds haven\u2019t been erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it's important not to dwell on the past. Secondl even if thinking about the past triggers emotions, you should recognize it as something like a dream or watching a movie and quickly move beyond it. Third, if that doesn't work, shift your focus to other thoughts. Then the scene changes and the emotion disappears. The question you asked was based on thinking about the past, not awareness.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the dialog continued, it was time to begin the Dharma Talk. Prior to starting it, there was a conversation with Professor James Robson of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, who chaired today's meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen did you first come to the United States?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first time I came to the United States to speak on the topic of Buddhism was at a dialogue meeting between Buddhism and Christianity held in Chicago in 1993. The main topics of discussion at that time were \u2018loss of human nature,\u2019 \u2018collapse of community,\u2019 and \u2018destruction of the natural environment.\u2019 Since there were no speakers available to address these topics, the request eventually came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Robson asked a question about the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, we allocated 400 million dollars to establish a new center at Harvard University to research the climate crisis. Currently, the center consists of scientists. However, since environmental changes require a shift in human mindset, I find that aspect somewhat disappointing. What are your thoughts on this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuddhism will be the most core ideology on environmental issues. I believe that the law of dependent origination, which states that everything in the world is related, is the most important idea in the era of climate crisis. Also, reducing consumption is the best way to overcome the climate crisis. To do so, you must control your desires. How can science help humans control their desires?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You\u2019re right. Scientists are trying to solve the issue while maintaining current levels of consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At 7 p.m., Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and Professor Robson made their way to the hall. Sunim came up to the stage to loud applause. The seats were full with no empty seats, and people were sitting in the aisles because there were not enough seats. Most of them were young men. Sunim began the conversation with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe core teaching of Buddhism is \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 It's not about where we go after death, nor is it about being reborn into a better life in the next one. The essence of Buddhist teachings lies in examining why we suffer and, by eliminating the causes, everyone can live without suffering. Among all of you, there may be rich and poor individuals, young and old, men and women, and various religious backgrounds. Regardless of where you belong, are you living without suffering right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is suffering, I believe it's not because of any other cause, but because each person lacks self-exploration. So today, I'd like to talk to you about the topic of \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 You can talk about anything, whether it's the environmental or political issues that give you a headache or the stress you experience because of your spouse. The key question is, \u2018Why do we suffer?\u2019 Let\u2019s listen to your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, questions were taken from the audience. Over the course of two hours, nine individuals raised their hands to ask questions of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Among them, one person asked about the discrimination she was experiencing due to her gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult to accept the reality of being discriminated against as a woman.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou had said essentially that if we can realize what's causing the suffering we can be free of it. Although I am aware of my suffering coming from the discrepancy it is difficult for me to abandon the ideal and come down to reality. But my question is how can I change my perspective so that I can better accept the reality as it is and lower or reduce the suffering I am encountering but at the same time contributing to the world in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll you have to do is put both feet on the ground, look into the distance, and walk one step at a time. Looking into the distance with your eyes means having an ideal. Putting both feet on the ground and walking step by step means accepting reality. There is no contradiction between ideal and reality. The difference between ideal and reality does not cause suffering. Suffering is caused by looking into the distance and not walking, or by standing still with your eyes closed. Your suffering may not be caused by the gap between ideals and reality, but rather by your desire to get results without putting in any effort. I hope you look at yourself a little more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you a more specific question. What specifically are the ideals and realities that you mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, to be more specific, for example, I'm a graduate student in the science field. And I'm experiencing for the first time discrimination between women and men. So what I mean by the ideal is that women and men should be treated equally which is how I feel. And the reality that I'm encountering is that although my professor is a woman scientist, maybe that person mistreats women as well. That is a reality that sometimes I encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow do you think you can overcome that problem? Are you asking because you really do not know?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunim smiled and continued to answer lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe that you should first show that there is nothing to discriminate against. Using this as an opportunity, you should study harder and show the professor that your abilities are superior. Showing that women do not lack scientific ability will solve this problem immediately. Instead of feeling discouraged by such discrimination, why not take it as an opportunity to be even more active?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The older generations often rely on their own experiences to navigate life. In the past, societal conditions led to women receiving less education than men. Discrimination was prevalent, and there were very few cases where women have demonstrated their abilities. Additionally, many women would interrupt their studies if they got married while pursuing education. Your professor may have such experience and think that it is better to teach men than women. No amount of talking about principles is of any use to a person who lives based on his or her own experiences. Achieving an equal society requires the efforts of many individuals striving to overcome discrimination. Instead of merely hoping for the benefits of an equal society, why not make an effort to overcome current discrimination yourself? I would suggest sharing these thoughts with you and encouraging you to adopt a more proactive attitude. Have I been too harsh in my response?\u201d (Laughter)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo. it's okay. I think you said a very good solution\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions continued. After the conversation, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim gave a final remark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you're feeling uneasy or suffering, you should confront that feeling directly, much like pointing at it with your finger. For example, let's say you need to wake up at 5 in the morning. The alarm rings. When you can't get up, what do you say to yourself? You might say, \"I want to get up, but my body isn't cooperating,\" while blaming your body. However, what has your body done wrong? To be more precise, you should say, \"I think I need to get up, but I don't want to.\" Let's say the phrase \"I need to get up\" three times out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I need to get up, I need to get up, I need to get up\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this phrase mean? It means you don't want to get up. If you spring out of bed, you don't need to say, \u2018I need to get up.\u2019 Many times in life, we think, \u2018I have to do this!\u2019 or \u2018I have to do that!\u2019 but we don't actually do it. If you think you need to wake up at 5 in the morning, just get up. Then the worry disappears. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to let go,\u2019 just let go. Instead of just thinking, \u2018I need to do it,\u2019 just do it. Just do it. Just let go. In Buddhism, this is called \u2018Bang Ha Chak(\u653e\u4e0b\u7740),\u2019 which means releasing the attachments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way to be free from suffering now<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don't force yourself to do something you don\u2019t like. It's perfectly fine not to do it. If you think you should do it, just do it. You should adopt this perspective to reduce stress. If you don't feel like studying, you can stop. The reason you are suffering is because you don't want to study, but you want to earn a degree. The same goes for writing a thesis. Just write whatever comes to your mind. After you've written it all down, read it again. And make the necessary revisions. This will make it much easier to complete your thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You should do as much as your abilities allow. Trying to do better than you're capable of actually makes you perform worse. If you do it as I said, studying becomes fun. Let's say you're studying astronomy. Instead of pursuing a degree, you should have a curious and wonder-filled mind about the universe. Research itself should be fun. Then, you won't need separate play time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're in a relationship, it's perfectly fine to study together with your partner. You don't necessarily have to drink alcohol to spend time together. You can date while studying and  researching together. Dating and studying do not contradict each other. In Zen Buddhism, this is expressed as \u2018Da Seon Il Che(\u8336\u79aa\u4e00\u9ad4)\u2019 or \u2018Seon Nong Il Chi(\u79aa\u8fb2\u4e00\u81f4i).\u2019 In other words, practicing Zen(\u79aa)and drinking tea, or practicing Zen(\u79aa) and work