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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 27, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 27, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

\u201cIn Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim,\u201d Jungto Society explained. \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 doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life.\u201d (Jungto Society)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 27, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, first opened Jungto Dharma School in Korea 32 years ago as way to share the original teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to social restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society formulated an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is now open to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim,\u201d Jungto Society explained. \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 doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life.\u201d (Jungto Society)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 27, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

Building on the ongoing success of the Jungto Dharma School online study program launched in early 2022, Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that Jungto Dharma School will return in April, 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 in Korea 32 years ago as way to share the original teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to social restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society formulated an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is now open to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim,\u201d Jungto Society explained. \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 doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life.\u201d (Jungto Society)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 27, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Stuck in Your Thoughts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"stuck-in-your-thoughts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-08 16:00:59","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-08 21:00:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14748","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14726,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:36:39","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:36:39","post_content":"\n

Building on the ongoing success of the Jungto Dharma School online study program launched in early 2022, Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that Jungto Dharma School will return in April, 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 in Korea 32 years ago as way to share the original teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to social restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society formulated an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is now open to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim,\u201d Jungto Society explained. \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 doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life.\u201d (Jungto Society)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 27, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Stuck in Your Thoughts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"stuck-in-your-thoughts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-08 16:00:59","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-08 21:00:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14748","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14726,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:36:39","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:36:39","post_content":"\n

Building on the ongoing success of the Jungto Dharma School online study program launched in early 2022, Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that Jungto Dharma School will return in April, 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 in Korea 32 years ago as way to share the original teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to social restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society formulated an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is now open to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim,\u201d Jungto Society explained. \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 doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life.\u201d (Jungto Society)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 27, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

\n

Like a silkworm trapped in a cocoon of its own making, we are stuck in our own thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Stuck in Your Thoughts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"stuck-in-your-thoughts","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-08 16:00:59","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-08 21:00:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14748","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14726,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:36:39","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:36:39","post_content":"\n

Building on the ongoing success of the Jungto Dharma School online study program launched in early 2022, Jungto Society, the international Buddhist community founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) master and social activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (\ubc95\ub95c\uc2a4\ub2d8), has announced that Jungto Dharma School will return in April, 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 in Korea 32 years ago as way to share the original teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha with lay practitioners. In response to social restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungto Society formulated an online English-language syllabus\u2014Jungto Dharma School: Introduction to Buddhism I\u2014which is now open to students of Buddhism all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim,\u201d Jungto Society explained. \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 doctrines (the Buddha\u2019s core teachings) but also gain practical wisdom to help you resolve various problems in your life.\u201d (Jungto Society)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 27, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim","post_excerpt":"In Jungto Dharma School, you will learn the original teachings of the Buddha under the guidance of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"online-dharma-jungto-society-announces-new-intake-for-jungto-dharma-school-with-ven-pomnyun-sunim","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-03 18:39:11","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:39:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14726","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14722,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-03-03 18:06:25","post_date_gmt":"2023-03-03 23:06:25","post_content":"\n

\u201cWhy are you suffering?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overly greedy, stubborn, or angry, you will suffer. Your misunderstandings or stupidity will also cause you to suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending suffering is simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put down your greed.
Put down your argument.
Recognize your own stupidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Why Are You Suffering?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"why-are-you-suffering","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-12-02 17:32:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-12-02 22:32:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14722","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14531,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 15:50:53","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:50:53","post_content":"\n

Q. I feel a little frustrated, maybe a little angry and impatient about the need for significant political change. I worry a lot about injustice, climate change, corruption, and democracy. I just wonder what is, in your opinion, the best sort of Buddhist way to seek political change, but quickly. I mean, how do you feel about civil disobedience? Do you recommend that we do that? Do you feel that we are experiencing a serious existential threat over the political issues that we have? I\u2019m just wondering, what is your take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:<\/strong> The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way. This actually means doing your best under the situations and conditions in which you live. So the middle way is not talking of some fixed way; instead, it means that you are flexible and able to change strategy and direction according to the situation and environment in which you find yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you take an individual for example: it is much easier to change an individual\u2019s thoughts than their emotions. This is because thoughts reside in our consciousness while emotions reside in the subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma refers to emotional-cognitive habits, and it takes time for you to change that. So if you try to affect change quickly, it won\u2019t work. If you feel disappointed over the fact that your habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming yourself and suffer as a result. If another person\u2019s habits do not change quickly, then you might start blaming them and become angry at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it is very natural not to be able to change quickly. Change needs a lot of failures, trial and error; it needs time. So it is this unrealistic sense of urgency that is making us angry, hateful, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we must have insight into and awareness of that principle before we begin. And that is why we study history. There are many singular events throughout history that have failed. But from a historical perspective, many of them actually succeeded, because that change was something that could not happen just as a result of one single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you try to accomplish something at once, you will likely fail. Because change and improvement happen over time and through repeated failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take the environmental issue as an example. Our environment is in a very critical state. But if you look at the reality we are facing today, it is very difficult to affect change because consumption is deeply embedded in our everyday lives. And the values and criteria for success in our societies are closely tied with one\u2019s capacity to consume more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So although we might consciously recognize the dangers of environmental destruction, our habits force us to go on living the way we always have. Therefore, I think that no matter how much we try, there\u2019s a strong possibility that we will be unable to change our way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then is that despair? Not so . . .<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?","post_excerpt":"The essence of the Buddhist teaching is the Middle Way.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-you-see-current-political-issues-from-a-buddhist-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14531","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14528,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-23 11:46:37","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-23 16:46:37","post_content":"\n

The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society Korea (JTS Korea), founded by the revered Korean Seon (Zen) monk Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, has reported the successful distribution of a second round of emergency relief supplies in southeastern Pakistan in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency that resulted from last year\u2019s devastating floods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. A further 12,867 people were reported to have been injured, and more than 2.1 million people were lost their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The floods, which have been described as the worst in Pakistan\u2019s history and one of the costliest natural disasters of all time, also resulted in damage to property and infrastructure estimated at US$14.9 billion, and an estimated US$15.2 billion in economic losses. Environmental authorities have blamed the flooding on heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers coming in the wake of a severe heatwave, both of which have been attributed to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Published by BDG on February 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25b6\ufe0f Read more: <\/a>https:\/\/www.buddhistdoor.net\/news\/engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan","post_excerpt":"Record-breaking rains in Pakistan, which fell from June to October 2022, submerged a third of the country beneath floodwaters, killing at least 1,739 people, including 647 children. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"engaged-buddhism-jts-korea-distributes-humanitarian-aid-in-pakistan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-23 15:59:04","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-23 20:59:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14528","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14523,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-22 11:10:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:23","post_content":"\n

If you are heartbroken over the death of your child, try thinking like this: As long as you continue to grieve over his death, the deceased cannot go to heaven, if you\u2019re a Christian, or to the Land of Happiness, if you\u2019re a Buddhist, leaving the child\u2019s soul to wander around. Letting go of your child will be good for both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Death of Your Child","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"death-of-your-child","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-22 11:10:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-22 16:10:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14523","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14519,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-02-15 20:03:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:00","post_content":"\n

Do you need medicine to be healthy? Medicine is only necessary when one is ill. If you aren\u2019t sick, you don\u2019t need a prescription which means you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the same way, if you aren\u2019t suffering, it means happiness is already with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, don\u2019t hurt yourself. If your parents fight, that\u2019s their business. Don\u2019t make it yours. Don\u2019t make yourself unhappy by getting swept up in someone else\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your happiness first and then your family\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Your Happiness First","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"your-happiness-first-3","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-02-15 20:03:02","post_modified_gmt":"2023-02-16 01:03:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14519","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14384,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-20 18:14:44","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:44","post_content":"\n

When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n

People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n

When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":14},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

Home Tag jungtosociety

jungtosociety

Wisdom Note

Stuck in Your Thoughts

March 8, 2023

87

Press & Media

Online Dharma: Jungto Society Announces New Intake for Jungto Dharma School with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim

March 3, 2023

153

Wisdom Note

Why Are You Suffering?

March 3, 2023

107

A Day in the Life of Sunim

How Do You See Current Political Issues from a Buddhist Perspective?

February 23, 2023

417

Press & Media

Engaged Buddhism: JTS Korea Distributes Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan

February 23, 2023

95

Wisdom Note

Death of Your Child

February 22, 2023

72

Wisdom Note

Your Happiness First

February 15, 2023

61

Wisdom Note

According to Your Perspective

January 20, 2023

74

Wisdom Note

Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me

January 13, 2023

79

Wisdom Note

New Year Greeting

January 3, 2023

55

Page 14 of 22 Previous 1 … 13 14 15 … 22 Next

Jungto Society is a community of Buddhist practitioners who seek to free themselves of suffering in their daily lives and to make the world a better place.

Donate

Subscribe to Newsletter

Δ

Email

First Name

Subscribe Now

Subscribe to our Jungto Newsletter!

Subscribe

EVENTS & PROGRAMS

• Live Dharma Talk
• Sunday Meditation
• 1000-Day Practice
• Jungto Dharma School 2025

POSTS

• A Day in the Life of Sunim New
• Dharma Q&A
• Meditation Q&A
• Wisdom Note
• Jungto News

ABOUT

• Jungto Society
• Ven. Pomnyun Sunim (법륜스님)
• Our NGOs
• Find Us Online
• Visit Us
• Contact Us

RELATED LINKS

Menu

Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2025 Jungto Society

No Result

View All Result

• Home
• Get Started
• About
  • Jungto Society
  • Ven. Pomnyun Sunim (법륜스님)
  • Our NGOs
  • Find Us Online
  • Contact Us
  • Visit Us
• Articles
  • A Day in the Life of Sunim
  • Jungto News
  • Press & Media
• Library
  • Dharma Q&A
  • Meditation Q&A
  • Wisdom Note
  • Practice Resources
• Online Programs
  • Live Dharma Talk
  • Happiness Workshop
  • Jungto Dharma School – Introduction to Buddhism I
  • 정토담마스쿨 – 근본불교
  • Jungto Dharma School – Introduction to Buddhism II
  • 정토담마스쿨 – 인간붓다
  • Sunday Meditation
  • 1000-Day Practice
• Offline Programs
  • Half-Day Temple Stay
  • In-Person Casual Conversation with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim in 2025
  • Dubuk Jungto Retreat Center Volunteering

Subscribe to Newsletter
Donate
Contact us