jungtodharmaschool Archives

Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>

Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>

Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>

\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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Featured Talk
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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Featured Talk
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
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Featured Talk
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Social Issue
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Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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Social Issue
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The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
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Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
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Social Issue
\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
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Featured Talk
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Social Issue
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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Emotions
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Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
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\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
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Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
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Featured Talk
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\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
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Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
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Social Issue
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\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
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On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
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On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
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The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
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On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
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On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
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The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
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On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
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The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
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The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
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The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives,\u201d Jungto Society noted. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with the Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives,\u201d Jungto Society noted. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with the Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives,\u201d Jungto Society noted. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with the Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives,\u201d Jungto Society noted. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with the Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
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The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives,\u201d Jungto Society noted. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with the Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
Family
Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relationship
Social Issue
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Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School more than 30 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is now available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives,\u201d Jungto Society noted. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with the Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
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The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cLearn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8),\u201d Jungto Society stated in an announcement shared with BDG. \u201cYou will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life. As students of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrine\u2014the Buddha\u2019s core teachings\u2014but will also gain practical wisdom that can help you to resolve various problems in your lives. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School more than 30 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is now available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives,\u201d Jungto Society noted. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with the Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
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On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
Buddhism
Career
Emotions
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Featured Talk
Meditation
Mindfulness
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Social Issue
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has announced that its popular online study and practice course for Buddhist practitioners, Jungto Dharma School, will return on 4 March 2025, with online registration now open until 11 February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLearn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8),\u201d Jungto Society stated in an announcement shared with BDG. \u201cYou will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life. As students of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrine\u2014the Buddha\u2019s core teachings\u2014but will also gain practical wisdom that can help you to resolve various problems in your lives. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School more than 30 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is now available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives,\u201d Jungto Society noted. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with the Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Category
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Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has announced that its popular online study and practice course for Buddhist practitioners, Jungto Dharma School, will return on 4 March 2025, with online registration now open until 11 February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLearn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8),\u201d Jungto Society stated in an announcement shared with BDG. \u201cYou will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life. As students of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrine\u2014the Buddha\u2019s core teachings\u2014but will also gain practical wisdom that can help you to resolve various problems in your lives. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School more than 30 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is now available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives,\u201d Jungto Society noted. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with the Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course, which begins on 4 March 2025, is open to all, regardless of religion, age, or academic background. There is a weekly commitment of a 70-minute online group meetup, with self-paced learning materials, and home-practice exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on December 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces 2025 Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-2025-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-01-30 19:46:30","post_modified_gmt":"2025-01-31 00:46:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=25803","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17946,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2024-01-10 17:13:25","post_date_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:13:25","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that its popular online Buddhist study and practice course, Jungto Dharma School, will return in March, with online registration now open to new students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School some 31 years ago in Korea as way to share the original teachings of the Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society created an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is available to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, you will learn how the mind works and experience changes in your perspective on life,\u201d Jungto Society shared with BDG. \u201cAs a student of Jungto Dharma School, you will not only study Buddhist doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life. Additionally, you will practice applying the teachings to your daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Jungto Dharma School\u2019s self-paced 20-week program includes all course materials and online tools, weekly online meetings with group members and facilitators, and live Dharma talks with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. The course content encompasses foundation modules on understanding the Buddha\u2019s core teachings, and approaching key philosophical concepts, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, causality, dependent origination, and enlightenment, and how these concepts and practices can be applied to everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring course is scheduled to begin on 12 March.

\u201cThroughout its 32-year history, Jungto Dharma School has helped countless people transform their lives.,\u201d Jungto Society said. \u201cThis 20-week program will help participants learn how to live freer and happier lives in accordance with Buddhist teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on January 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Opens Registration for Spring Intake of Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"The Korean Seon (Zen) master Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8) wears many hats: Buddhist monk, teacher, author, environmentalist, and social activist, to name a few. As a widely respected Dharma teacher and a tireless socially engaged activist in his native South Korea, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim has founded numerous Dharma-based organizations, initiatives, and projects that are active across the world. Among them, Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddhist teachings and expressing equality, simple living, and sustainability, is dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering, including environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.\n\nThis column, shared by Jungto Society, presents a series of highlights from Ven. Pomnyun Sunim\u2019s writings, teachings, public talks, and regular live-streamed Dharma Q+A sessions, which are accessible across the globe.\n","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-opens-registration-for-spring-intake-of-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-01-10 17:14:53","post_modified_gmt":"2024-01-10 22:14:53","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=17946","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11732,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-31 22:59:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-01 03:59:17","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers. This marks the first official training program for volunteers who have embarked on a journey of translating Ven. Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks into English. The team has also recently conducted its very first training program for translation reviewers. The translation workshop for the new volunteers was a testament to the impressive progress of the English Translation Team during the last couple of years. Among the participants were Kang Ji-eun, Kim Bo-ram, Kim So-jeong, Yang Eun-hee, Lee Hae-ri, and Choi Yoon-young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following are the comments of the new translation volunteers from a survey they participated in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1) What made you join the translation team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe facilitator of the Dharma meeting I attended recommended that I volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I resolved to volunteer as a part of practice and I have been thinking about spreading Dharma to non-Koreans as I live abroad. So when I was offered the opportunity to join the translation team, I accepted right away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was reading the English content of Jungto Society, I learned that there are many Junto practitioners who are working hard to help spread the Buddha's teachings through the English language. So, I wanted to volunteer and contribute to the effort.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became complacent after graduating from the Jungto Buddhism Course last year. To better myself, I decided to volunteer for the Translation team, which required me to listen carefully to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I first learned about Jungto Society, I was very impressed with how many Jungto members were engaged in volunteer work. While I was searching for what I could do, I found out that English translators were in demand, so I applied to volunteer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Q2) What do you hope to achieve through volunteering?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I've been wanting to share Sunim's Dharma talks with my non-Korean friends. By joining the translation team, I hope to contribute to spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to English speakers, including my friends.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I want to realize the \u201cMosaic Buddha\u201d as a tiny puzzle piece among the many practitioners who together form the image of the Buddha spreading the Dharma. I hope that my efforts have a butterfly effect of spreading the Buddha\u2019s teachings to the entire world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"I volunteered for the Translation Team because I wanted to learn. By listening to many Dharma talks by Sunim, I would like to fully understand his words of wisdom and convey the meaning into English.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have become lighthearted by listening to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks, so I want to help others become lighthearted through my translation volunteer work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sincerely hope that my volunteer work can help more non-Koreans listen to Sunim\u2019s Dharma talks and attain happiness through practice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your response. Again, we would like to welcome everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","post_title":"The First Translation Workshop for the New Volunteers","post_excerpt":"On Feb 25th, the English Translation Team held its first workshop for the new volunteers.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"the-first-translation-workshop-for-the-new-volunteers","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:48","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11732","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11713,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-28 13:32:51","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-28 18:32:51","post_content":"\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spring of 2022 has arrived. The English version of the online Jungto Dharma School, which will run for 22 weeks, is scheduled to begin on March 22nd. It is one of the many programs being offered by Jungto Society to spread the wisdom of the Buddha around the world as the organization wraps up its first 10,000-Day Practice. This means people around the globe, including North America, Europe, and Asia will be able to take this course. At Jungto Dharma School, students learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings through a series of Dharma talks by Ven Pomnyun Sunim. Through the course, students will obtain an insight into how the mind works and experience how to change their perspectives on life. Not only does the course focus on the theoretical aspect of Buddhism, but it also equips you with practical wisdom to deal with various difficulties in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the opening of the Jungto Dharma School draws closer, Jungto practitioners all over the world, especially in North America, are actively promoting the program. The International Division of Junto Society is carrying out various promotional initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since Jungto Society transitioned into an online format, we have only been able to promote Jungto programs online, using our computers. Recently, Jungto volunteers have been putting up posters in offline venues to promote the Jungto Dharma School. Soonyoung Kim and Ji Hyun Kim who live in the Eastern US said that they felt cheerful as they put up posters in places such as supermarkets, Panera Bread, Starbucks, and several restaurants. They shared, \u201cSince we have a lot of prior experience, we were able to divide up the work among us efficiently, and everything went like clockwork. We had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Additionally, Jungto volunteers in the Northwestern U.S., the Western U.S., and Canada have also been putting up promotional posters. In particular, the story of a Jungto Society member in the Western U.S. evening group caught our attention. While her son was at school, she spent time surveying her neighborhood to identify places where she could put up posters now as well as when it\u2019s time to promote the next Jungto Dharma School, which will begin in September. She put up posters at three Starbucks, REI, and Rachel's Kitchen. Although she was not allowed to put up posters in some venues, she managed to collect useful information there. For example, libraries charge a fee to put up posters, and the recreation center only permits public material authorized by city hall. She found out that she can put up posters about upcoming Live Dharma talk and Sunday meditation, which she plans on doing in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Also, Sangjin Kim of Vancouver, Canada shared that she felt grateful to a fellow practitioner who came to pick up the Dharma School posters at her office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various types of online promotional activities are also in full swing. One key example is the \u201c300-likes challenge.\u201d It consists of \u201cliking\u201d the listed Dharma talk videos by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim on YouTube, adding a comment in English to each video with hashtags (#pomnyun, #JungtoSociety). This challenge started out in the Northern U.S. and spread globally. Because 300 likes were reached very quickly, the goal was adjusted to 1000 likes. The online challenge was a huge success, reaching a total of 1204 likes in total. Yejeong Lee from the Northwestern group said, \u201cThis really isn\u2019t something that can be done alone. It was possible thanks to the combined efforts of all the volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also can\u2019t leave out our pre-existing SNS activities. In the Northwestern U.S. group, the volunteers uploaded and liked the Jungto Dharma School promotional posts almost every day. One person even uploaded them on a social facebook page, where people gather once a month with their pet dogs. E-mails have also been a big part of our promotional activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant portion of the promotional activities was directed toward family and friends. One volunteer shared the news that she invited her son to register for the Dharma School. Some of the volunteers shared information about the Dharma School with the 28 existing English-speaking 1000-day practitioners and Sunday Meditation participants, and answered their questions. Some of the volunteers from the Western U.S. spread the news to their friends at the Korean-American Women's Association of the USA, Inc (KAWA) and held a short Q&A session. As most of the KAWA members are Christian, it was a great opportunity to increase their awareness of Buddha\u2019s teachings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Dharma School registration period overlapped with the South Korean presidential election period. So naturally, Dharma School posters were posted at various overseas voting locations. In Saitama and Yokohama in Japan, the volunteers spent their time efficiently by voting and promoting Dharma School at the same time. The volunteers from East Asia changed the lyrics to the BTS song Permission to Dance <\/em>into Permission to Spread Dharma<\/em> and are preparing to record a video of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, the North America Chapter and the Asia Pacific-Europe Chapter of the Jungo Society International Division are holding Thematic Dharma Talks for people in different countries in their respective languages. In Europe, the Germany Chapter has been holding Thematic Dharma Talks in German once a month since October 2021. They advertised the Jungto Dharma School actively to local participants and 4 people registered for the Dharma School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School, which started on March 22, 2022. We have 13 student groups divided by region: Oceania, Asia, Europe, and North America. We hope that the Jungto Dharma School will flourish like the blooming flowers in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"In the Spring of 2022, Let\u2019s Promote the Jungto Dharma School!","post_excerpt":"A total of 92 people enrolled in Jungto Dharma School.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"n-the-spring-of-2022-lets-promote-the-jungto-dharma-school","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-05-07 02:11:49","post_modified_gmt":"2024-05-07 07:11:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11713","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11549,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-03-08 19:19:10","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-09 00:19:10","post_content":"\n
Special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim in commemoration of the completion of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/li>
Held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, interview conducted by Kim Byeong-jo<\/li>
Addresses topics ranging from the background of the 10,000-Day Practice to memorable volunteers<\/li>
\u201cOnly based on constructive criticism can you and the world be changed\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim was held at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center on Jan. 24th, ahead of the completion of Jungto\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice<\/a>. It was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper<\/em>, BBS, and BTN, and the interview was conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 30-year-long journey of Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice\u2014which began on March 7th, 1993 with the aspiration to create \u201cJungto,\u201d a land in which individuals are happy, society is peaceful, and nature is preserved\u2014will come to an end on December 4th this year. Jungto Society has engaged in the promotion of ecological-awareness, human rights, peace, and reunification movements as part of its 10,000-Day Practice. Jungto practitioners\u2019 daily practice includes an hour of morning practice, a donation of at least 1,000 won (about 1USD), and doing a good deed each day. Jungto practitioners, who constitute only a fraction of the population, aspire to transform the world into Jungto, just as a small percentage of salt in the seawater makes it salty. As of January 2022, about 12,000 people were participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, and the total number of people who have ever participated in the 10,000-Day Practice is around 30,000. On January 24, a special interview with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Guiding Dharma Teacher of Jungto Society, was conducted at Seocho Jungto Dharma Center, ahead of the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice. The interview was organized by Jungto Society, sponsored by Beopbo the Weekly Buddhist Newspaper, the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS), and the Buddhist Television Network (BTN), and conducted by Kim Byeong-jo, a broadcaster and faculty member of Chosun University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Jungto Society\u2019s 10,000-Day Practice will be completed this December. How did it begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was young, I once complained about Korean Buddhism to Venerable Seoam Sunim, a great Seon (Zen) master whom I respected greatly. I complained: \u201cHow can Buddhism be like this?\u201d and \u201cThe Jogye Order shouldn\u2019t be like that.\u201d The great master listened to my complaints for more than two hours that day. Then, he said softly, \u201cMy dear fellow, if a man sits on a ridge between rice paddies and keeps his mind pure, he is a monk. And that place is a temple. And that is Buddhism.\u201d His words shocked me. I had already learned that all phenomena are empty and everything is impermanent, but I then realized that I was the one who was attached to form. I judged based on my fixed notion that Buddhism should be such and such. After listening to the great master\u2019s words, I got rid of my fixed ideas about what Buddhism should be like. Then, I felt at ease. Before our conversation, I had thought that certain conditions must be ready for me to start something, but then I realized that actually I didn\u2019t need anything to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Most of the members of 10,000-Day Practice are lay people. Is it also related to Ven. Seoam Sunim\u2019s teaching? A practice community consisting mostly of laypeople is rare, isn\u2019t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not intended. Following what Ven. Seoam Sunim said, I was no longer bound by form or formality. I thought that anyone who agreed with the Buddhadharma and was putting it into practice would do. Those who agreed with my idea were mostly lay practitioners, so the 10,000-Day Practice naturally centered around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that you began the first 1,000-Day Practice of the 10,000-Day Practice alone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was the only one who formally began the first 1,000-Day Practice. However, I didn\u2019t do it alone. Others also participated in the practice, even though they didn\u2019t join formally because they had family and work commitments. We decided to shape our future direction after watching what happened during the first three years. After the first 1,000-Day Practice, 300 people formally signed up and gradually the number increased. I am grateful for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I enjoy reading \u201cSunim\u2019s Day,\u201d an account of your daily activities featured on the Jungto Society website. You seem to work on the farm at Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center everyday. What is the secret behind your stamina? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reporter once asked Ven. Seoam Sunim about the secret of his health. He replied: \u201cI\u2019ve never thought about health.\u201d (Laughter) My health has been delicate since I was a child. I\u2019ve been ill often. When you see it from outside, I seem to work a lot. People are worried that I sleep only 2\u20133 hours a night. But I just don\u2019t have a fixed sleeping time, and I sleep in the car while going places. I sleep in installments. Anyway, I am doing all these activities because I am well enough to do them. I take heart medicine and sometimes go to see a doctor, but I am not too concerned about my health. Farm work is my way of exercising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 You can\u2019t talk about Jungto Society without talking about social engagement. What is the reason for engaging in various social movements such as ecological-awareness campaigns, the promotion of human rights, and efforts for world peace and reunification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People often ask me: \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the environmental movement?\u201d or \u201cWhy do you, a Buddhist monk, engage in the peace movement?\u201d But as a human being, I need to breathe clean air and drink clean water. If war breaks out, I won\u2019t be able to avoid bullets and bombs will injure me. For us to live, we need clean air, water, and food. And we should also be able to live peacefully, without tension or fear. That is why I engage in peace and environmental-protection movements. When people ask me such questions, I ask them in return: I don\u2019t have any children, so I don\u2019t have to worry about the future. But you have children. Why am I the only one engaging in these movements? Leaving a lot of money to your children is not the right legacy to leave behind. A safe and clean environment is the right legacy to leave behind. People agreed on this perspective and have been participating in these movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 It is impressive that Jungto Society carries out social engagement activities and practice for oneself at the same time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are freed from suffering, you naturally become interested in the world outside of you. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if you could use your energy to benefit the world instead of torturing yourself? Helping another person appears to benefit him or her, but it actually helps yourself. When you understand this, you can carry out social engagement activities and practice for yourself at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Are there any committed volunteers who are particularly memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many. One comes to mind right now. While participating in the 10,000-Day Practice, she was diagnosed with cancer. After the diagnosis, she visited me. I jokingly told her, \u201cYou have to keep your promise to complete the 10,000-Day Practice. Don\u2019t say that you can\u2019t. You are breaking your promise.\u201d She replied, \u201cI want to keep my promise, but I can\u2019t help it because of my health.\u201d She made a donation that covered the rest of the 10,000-Day Practice period before she died. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might misunderstand me and think, \u201cSunim likes money too much.\u201d I didn\u2019t mean it that way. What I want to say is about resolution. It is about loyalty, in secular terms. Doing your best to fulfill a promise, such a sense of responsibility moves me. People who used to complain bitterly about their lives are now leading environmental and peace movements. This proves the Buddha\u2019s saying: \u201cEvery sentient being has buddha-nature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I guess the 30-year-long journey of the 10,000-Day Practice hasn\u2019t always been smooth sailing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While transitioning from offline to online, we were in a state of confusion. Before the emergence of COVID-19, our aspiration was to establish a Dharma center in every neighborhood so that anybody could come to practice. As a result, we tried to open a Dharma center in each city, county, district, and then in smaller administrative units. Finally, we had about 200 Dharma centers. Then, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we had to halt all face-to-face activities. All the existing programs, including the Dharma Meeting, Jungto Buddhism Course, and Jungto Sutra Course, went online. When a decision was made to close the Dharma centers, there was some resistance because Jungto members had worked so hard to open and operate them. I told them that we can\u2019t cling to the dead bodies of our loved ones because we love them, and we have to stop the construction of a building if it will be of no use tomorrow. The members agreed with me and were able to accept the decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> How are things going now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ask the members occasionally: \u201cShould we have maintained the Dharma centers, or is the shift to online better?\u201d And they say that the latter is better. But at first we weren\u2019t sure what to do and just waited for the whole month of February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started. We could hardly think about what to do. Computer skills and skills to conduct online meetings were needed. Education and membership systems also needed to be changed. We had about 130 hearings on this. In the end, everyone agreed to a new perspective; turning one\u2019s room or living space into a place where one meditates and practices is a Dharma center. The members agreed to this new perspective and overcame the difficult challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed. I think the process of making the transition to online itself was a big change in the history of Jungto Society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 I heard that Jungto Society has been steadily spreading the Dharma to overseas Koreans for the last 20 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t speak a word of English. I left home to become a monk when I was a high school freshman. And I\u2019ve never attended college or studied abroad. Naturally, I had no contact abroad. So how could I think of spreading the Dharma overseas when I was like that? (Laughter) There was an international conference under the theme of a dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity. One of the topics was about the collapse of human society. They couldn\u2019t find anyone to speak on the topic, so eventually the task was assigned to me. I wrote the speech overnight and I traveled to the US to deliver it. However, the manuscript was submitted too late and my speech didn\u2019t even make the presentation list. But I was able to meet Koreans living there and they asked me to give a Dharma talk. Those who listened to my Dharma talk introduced me to Koreans living in Europe, and so I went to Europe to give Dharma talks. And naturally we began to spread the Dharma to overseas Koreans. It happened naturally and it was not intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 In 2014, you traveled overseas to hold Dharma Q&As. You toured all over the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America, and Central and South America, in 115 days. The responses of the people you encountered were very enthusiastic. What is your plan now for spreading the Dharma around the world?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought how wonderful it would be to share the magnificent Buddhadharma with people around the world. So I thought about relocating our base to the US. But by going online, there is no longer a need for that. When I give a Dharma talk in Korea, people in the US can listen and people in Germany can ask questions. The greatest beneficiaries of going online are Koreans living abroad. When we considered opening a Dharma center overseas in the past, we only considered areas with more than 10,000, 20,000, or 50,000 Koreans living there. We couldn\u2019t reach people living in small cities. They had to spend hours traveling to listen to one hour of Dharma talk. It was very inconvenient for them. But the online transition has made it possible for anyone\u2014whether they are in Europe or Africa\u2014to listen to the Dharma talks. It is the same in Korea. Anybody who has access to the Internet can join our Dharma talks, even if they live in remote areas, such as Ulleungdo or Baengnyeongdo. The online transition has benefitted those living in remote areas. On the other hand, the elderly are having a harder time. They are the victims of our operations going online, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u25b3 Most of the world\u2019s systems and operations are also shifting to an online format. In these circumstances, what should be the practice method for Buddhists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jungto Society is investigating a practice method that utilizes the strengths and supplements the weaknesses of online practice. In early Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted through in-person interactions. But with the advent of sutras, remote learning became possible. People didn\u2019t have to go to India to learn the Buddha\u2019s teachings; they could learn them in China or Korea. It was an epoch-making change. However, as the Buddha\u2019s teachings were delivered through letters, they began to be intellectualized. And schools focusing on the philosophical side of Buddhism emerged. To overcome the negative effects of this intellectualization of Buddhism, Zen (Korean: Seon, Chinese: Chan) Buddhism emerged. In practice, one needs personal realization through face-to-face interactions. There is an expression in Zen Buddhism: \u201cmind-to-mind transmission.\u201d Unlike written words, online communication allows two-way communication. A Dharma talk can be delivered to many people simultaneously, regardless of distance. However, when we consider the tradition of Zen Buddhism that uses mind-to-mind transmission of the Dharma, we need face-to-face contact to some extent. So we are investigating ways to supplement the weaknesses of online practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Could you give us some advice on the future direction of Buddhism in Korea, which is rife with conflict?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think that Buddhism should adapt to the people, rather than trying to lead people to suit our needs. Buddhism should free itself from the confines of being a religion, and instead be a teaching for all people. Old Buddhist temples in Korea are located in beautiful environments and have a wonderful cultural heritage. I think there are about 100 of them throughout the nation. It is important to share these assets with the people. Temples should perform multiple functions, instead of just performing religious functions. Temples should be spaces to help people to relieve their stress and recharge. Now, more than half of the world\u2019s population are non-religious, and the number of Buddhists is decreasing. Non-religious people outnumber religious people. Therefore, we shouldn\u2019t limit our target only to Buddhists. In this respect, the education of monks should focus on the ability to guide practice rather than the ability to perform religious ceremonies, such as the ritual for the 49-day mourning period and the ritual for the spirits of the dead. Monks should be able to help people to practice to be free from suffering. Of course, you don\u2019t need to renounce the world and become a monk to help people to free themselves from suffering. But it is important for Korean Buddhism to cultivate experts in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 I have also heard that Jungto Society is preparing new educational courses for people as it approaches the completion of the 10,000-Day Practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first began teaching Buddhism 30 years ago, the intended audience was Buddhist practitioners. I wanted to correct misconceptions about Buddhism and explain true Buddhism. Buddhists are usually inspired by my recorded lectures on Buddhism, but the people who attend Dharma Q&As<\/a> these days don\u2019t seem to be so. Their reactions are different. For non-Buddhists, the stories of the Buddha\u2019s previous lives may seem strange. So I am going to give lectures using a different method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the content be different as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it will be different. Previously, I approached it with questions such as, \u201cWhat is a religion?\u201d or \u201cWho is the Buddha?\u201d But this time, I will approach it with questions such as, \u201cHow are you doing now?\u201d For example, if your answer to the question is \u201cI am suffering,\u201d the next question will be: \u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d I will proceed like this. I\u2019ll start with suffering in our daily lives and then present the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Another example is that, instead of explaining what the Five Precepts are, I will explain them from the human and environmental ethics perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the format be a combination of Dharma Q&A and existing lectures? It sounds interesting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think studying Buddhism for a year will make one much wiser and more insightful than studying worldly things for four years. What would the Buddha be like if he were alive today? The Buddha who lived 2,600 years ago was not an omnipotent god or a special person. He chose his way to solve the deep-seated contradictions in India at that time. Therefore, today\u2019s Buddhism should be Buddhism that helps people escape from suffering, rather than Buddhism as a religion or a philosophy. And those who have been freed from suffering shouldn\u2019t just be content with that. They should then help others to free themselves from suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Will the lectures be held online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lectures will be live-streamed, starting in late March this year. The content will be structured to be relevant to everybody in the world. And when the lectures are translated into English, they will be used for the second 10,000-Day Practice, during which we aim to spread the Dharma to people around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> The world is chaotic because of the rapid changes taking place, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, metaverse, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and so on. What is the significance of practice in this day and age?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world has always been changing rapidly. The confusion people felt when Western culture was first introduced to Korea in the late Joseon period, or when Korea went through rapid industrialization, was probably greater than the confusion we feel today. People say that the world is chaotic, but actually it is not. You feel like that because you can no longer understand the world with your framework of perception. The key here is the framework of perception. When the world changes, your framework of perception should change as well. The great teachings of the Buddha allow us to change our framework of perception to be appropriate for the present era. If you understand the Dharma correctly, you can let go of your fixed notions. You can understand the changing world as it is. Therefore, you will be able to cope with the future of society quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3<\/strong> Many important national events are scheduled for this year. People worry a lot about the upcoming presidential election, for example.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we look back on history, people have always felt that there would be big problems whenever there was a national election. For example, when the conservative party takes power, people fear that democratic achievements will be lost. And when the progressive party takes power, people fear that they will hand South Korea over to North Korea. But such things won\u2019t happen. The breadth of change is increasingly narrowing. Even if the ruling party wants to expand social welfare, they may not be able to do so because of budget constraints. And even if the ruling party wants to do away with social welfare completely, they won\u2019t be able to do so because the social structure won\u2019t allow it. So we don\u2019t need to worry too much. We want candidates to be perfect, that\u2019s why we feel that they are inadequate. Of course, we need to make a choice. Your choice should depend on your values. If you think being free from the threat of war is the most important, you should examine the candidates\u2019 peace policies. If you think measures to counter the climate crisis are the most important, you should examine their environmental policies, such as policies on carbon neutrality. Each person\u2019s priorities are different. We can\u2019t say a certain thing is important across-the-board. We need to make an overall decision in consideration of our values. We need to think comprehensively about how our country can maintain peace and improve welfare in these times of social disharmony. Therefore, Buddhists\u2014as wise people\u2014should make a choice with equanimity rather than based on emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25b3 Can you offer a word of advice for Buddhists in time for the Lunar New Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, be grateful to be alive. This is a world worth living in, even though things don\u2019t always work out the way we want them to. Your husband, your parents, and your children may not meet your expectations, but they are good people. I hope you can keep this perspective. See the world in a positive way, but with a critical viewpoint. Only then can there be improvements. Think positively of your life and of Korean society as a whole, but think critically so that you can see the contradictions instead of becoming complacent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Jeong Juyeon, Published by Beopbo press on Feb 2, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.beopbo.com\/news\/articleView.html?idxno=306644<\/a> <\/p>\n","post_title":"Buddhism should adapt to people rather than lead people","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"buddhism-should-adapt-to-people-rather-than-lead-people","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-11-15 22:31:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-11-16 03:31:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=11549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":11371,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2022-02-28 23:15:38","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-01 04:15:38","post_content":"\n
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the death and the destruction that we see on the media are heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all conflicts, each side has justifiable reasons, but it is not right to resort to military intervention to resolve disputes. I sincerely hope that the current military conflict comes to an end as soon as possible and that the Ukrainian people can quickly recover their sense of normalcy and peace. Let\u2019s take a moment of silence (and meditation) to wish for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the war to end as soon as possible, the international community must come together and send a unified message that it is not right to settle disputes with military force. However, the most effective solution will be for the Russian citizens to raise their collective voices in asking the Russian government for a prompt end to the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crucial factor in ending the Vietnam War was not military victories or defeats. Ultimately, it was the anti-war movements by many people asking for peace within the U.S. that helped to end the war. It is necessary for the international community to cooperate to restrain Russia\u2019s unjustifiable actions with economic and diplomatic sanctions. However, it is also very important for people in all corners of the world to continuously raise their voices for peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May all living beings be happy and peaceful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
February 27, 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Are You Lonely?

When we close our hearts, we feel lonely even in the midst of a crowd. Feeling lonely is like shutting our eyes in broad daylight and crying out, “It’s dark! Turn on the light!” If we just open our eyes, we will see that it is already light outside.

Likewise, if we just open our hearts, we won’t feel lonesome even when we are alone.
— Ven. Pomnyun Sunim

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