tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36270662320966564652024-03-13T15:58:40.845-03:00Somewhere in Dhamma...吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.comBlogger913125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-77725494211094399512015-11-09T08:53:00.002-04:002015-11-09T08:53:41.509-04:00Monday Morning Blues; Shine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DQpvVxxClec/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DQpvVxxClec?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
Django Reinhardt • Shine<br />
<br />
<br />The good shine from afar<br />like the snowy Himalayas. <br />The bad don't appear even when near, <br />like arrows shot into the night.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
-Pakinnakavagga: Miscellany #304</div>
吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-25649585562166187612015-07-27T09:34:00.004-03:002015-07-29T08:05:11.616-03:00Monday Morning Blues; John Hardy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mqsthacqlPw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mqsthacqlPw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000;">Leadbelly • John Hardy</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A good, ol' fashion blues usually has at least one good, obvious direction to go in when looking at it from a dharmic perspective. This one is gold in just about every verse, starting right off with John Hardy being described as a "desperate little man."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The most obvious theme I could have chosen would be karmic. He's a murderous man who tries to run from his actions but the law (law of Dharma?) eventually catches up to him and he pays for his actions with his life. (At least his wife has a good grasp of the third precept, exclaiming her faithfulness to him.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I usually prefer to go with the less obvious, though, if my own wisdom is sharp enough to perceive it. And there are a couple things I found quite interesting in this one. As I mentioned, there's the fact that you can't run from your karma. It's stuck to us until we work it out. The second is what I find the most interesting. When finally left with no choice but to confront his karma, a very important thing happens; he takes responsibility and accepts the consequence. "I've been the death of many a poor boy, and now I am ready to die, now I am ready to die." </div>
<br />
The reason I find this so interesting is because in more subtle ways we are constantly choosing the path to our death. What few of us realize is that there is a path that leads away from death.<br />
<br />
The Dhammapada, verse 21.<br />
Freedom is difficult:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Heedfulness is the Deathless path,<br />
heedlessness, the path to death.<br />
Those who are heedful do not die,<br />
heedless are as if already dead.</blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">
<br /></div>
吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-69698373879288968572015-07-26T01:16:00.001-03:002015-07-26T10:21:20.357-03:00Sunday Photo; Pura Ulun Danu Bratan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Somewhere/Bali-pinholes/i-cs4WR3K/0/L/Bali%20(3551)-804297570-O-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Somewhere/Bali-pinholes/i-cs4WR3K/0/L/Bali%20(3551)-804297570-O-L.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is a sacred temple in the northern mountains of Bali.<br />
<br />
At the edge of Lake Bratan, it is used for offerings and ceremonies dedicated to the water goddess Dewi Danu, one of two supreme deities of Balinese Hinduism. During the rainy season, the lake rises to surround the shrines with water. Unfortunately, my visit didn't coincide with such a time.<br />
<br />
<br />吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-6966408339661655282014-11-20T08:13:00.000-04:002014-11-21T07:31:03.661-04:00Appreciating the Shamanistic Aspect of Korean Buddhism<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongSanBuk-Do/Gyeongsan/Sujeongsa-Seongamsa-and/i-vKr6Gqf/A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongSanBuk-Do/Gyeongsan/Sujeongsa-Seongamsa-and/i-vKr6Gqf/0/M/SEP_3965-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yong Wang, the Dragon King, beside a small spring in a cave at Seong Am Sa, Gyeongsan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Before coming to Korea, I'd read about Korea's active Shamanist tradition and was keen to try to immerse myself in it. I actually had little interest in Buddhism at all but was fascinated by global Shamanistic cultures. I even had fantasies about becoming one.<br />
<br />
After a few months here, that interests dissipated. I began learning about Buddhism and became totally immersed. I spent most weekends traveling to mountain temples and slowly learning what I could manage to understand about it.<br />
<br />
Initially, I sought out a few Shaman-related sites but felt no affinity for it. My first solo trip was to a shaman festival but the only thing I found interesting was a Javanese Gamelan performance. Learning about Buddhism felt like coming home, whereas Shamanism felt guarded and unwelcoming. As I learned more about contemporary Korean Shamans, they seemed more like business people and con-artists, charging thousands of dollars to perform ceremonies to expel negative energies from peoples lives. Eventually, it didn't interest me at all.<br />
<br />
There are "authentic", traditional shamans who serve as mediums for ghosts and perform colourful, entranced dances, known as "g'ut", as part of their ceremony. I'm not sure how often exorcisms are still performed, but it was something a shaman would be solicited for. Intellectually, I still find these shamans extremely fascinating but on an intellectual level. As far as something to pursue, I had a strong inner sense that it was not for me to be involved with. Recently, though, through my continued understanding of Korean Buddhism, that old interest has been rekindled.<br />
<br />
When Buddhism was first introduced to Korea, it succeeded by merging harmoniously with the Shamanistic spirit-worship that was present. This merge went both ways. In temples, especially mountain complexes, there is almost always one or more spirit shrine. The most common is for San Shin, the Mountain Spirit. Throughout my years of visiting temples, I often paid little attention to the Mountain Spirit shrines. I pretentiously believed it wasn't "real" Buddhism, a viewpoint I know regret, I usually ignored them. Occasionally, before a hike, I would enter a hall and do three bows out of respect. Mostly, I just enjoyed the Mountain Spirit imagery, especially when he was holding a ginseng root!<br />
<br />
Then, a couple of weeks ago, <a href="http://www.san-shin.org/">Professor David Mason</a>, an expert on Korean mountains and traditional spirits, posted an image of the <a href="http://www.san-shin.org/EKB-Yongwang-DragonKing.html">Dragon King</a>. I'd only heard once noticed coming across the Dragon king, and didn't realize that he was a prevalent character. Honestly, even in Buddhism, my interest was mostly limited to the historical Gotama Buddha and the Pali Suttas. The vast array of characters in temple paintings hadn't intrigued me. But something about David's post, the character of the painted image, fascinated me. I wanted to know more about him. I started getting up most mornings at 4:30 am so I could travel from one end of the province to the other searching for images of the Dragon King.<br />
<br />
Aside from just his image (wouldn't he make a great superhero?), what really hit me, very deeply, was a reference I came across that broadened my understanding of Korea's ancient religion. Spirit worship was not merely about bowing and making offerings to an idol in a shrine as it seems to have been reduced to. It was to recognize the metaphorical Spirit that lives in the land, in the waters, that wisps through the air. To worship the Mountain Spirit or the Dragon King should be to take care of nature, to keep the balance in within it, to ensure that our way of life is sustainable.<br />
<br />
It reminded me of the painful lack of this connection to the Earth that is now threatening existence. To think of how well this balance with nature was kept by spirit-worshiping cultures around the world makes me realize how advanced they were, how much they knew and understood. Despite our technology and complicated theories, we are certainly living in foolish times.吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-69187951960409985522014-04-24T03:15:00.002-03:002014-04-24T03:16:08.983-03:00Saying goodbye to Fina's fish<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-QmvcgFf/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-QmvcgFf/0/M/easter%20hike%20%20%2840%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<br />
We woke up Easter morning with no plan for the day, a few ideas but nothing set. Looking out the window at the mountain, to judge the air quality, I noticed that one of Fina's little Siamese fighting fish, Vera, the female, wasn't breathing. And there was our plan for Easter, have Fina confront the death of something she loves for the first time, face to face.<br />
<br />
She's had a vague concept of death since she two and we passed beetles in the mountain that had been tread upon. "Dead?" she ask each time we past one. She knows death is said, as I once obtusely blurted out that "I'm going to die" from the work schedule I had at the time. Fina totally lost herself and was inconsolable for nearly 30 minutes telling me not to die because she'd be so sad. Maybe since then, Disney animations have twisted her perception of death to believe that it somehow isn't final, that magic tear drops or a kiss from a prince can somehow reverse it. When I told her about her fish she asked, "Can't you make her feel better?" Not to contradict the Resurrection on Easter morning or anything, but I had to tell her it wasn't coming back. <br />
<br />
Wondering what to do with it, Eunbong told me to flush it down the toilet. Scooping it out with a plastic spoon, I brought it over to the toilet but hesitated. It just didn't feel like the right thing to do... Then Fina came in frantic that I was going to flush her fish, tried to slam the toilet lid shut and inadvertently knocked the fish into the toilet bowl. No, no no! Don't flush it!" she pleaed, and I scooped it back up again. <br />
<br />
Standing there, balancing the poor little thing in the spoon, I looked at Fina and asked, "Do you want to bring it to the little temple in the mountain and put it in the brook? We can pray to Jijang Bosal and Kwanseum Bosal to watch out for her." "Yes! Let's go right now! Let's go, et's go, let's go!"<br />
<br />
Arriving at the temple, we went down to the tiny brook that trickles down the mountain and passes in front of the temple. I asked Fina if she wanted to put Vera into the water but she told me to. I emptied the bag of water I'd put in in into a small pool between some rocks and we put our hands together and chanted Gwanseum Bosal and Jijang Bosal, three times each. Fina cried a little and I told her that they would take care of her. "Can they make her better again?" "In a way, but not in that body. They'll show her where to go so she doesn't get lost." "Will they take her up in the sky?" "Umm, maybe for three or four days, then they'll take her to find a new body. Maybe another fish, or maybe a bird or a puppy..." Fina said, "I think she wants to have wings!" "Okay, then they can make her into a bird!" "Will I ever see her again?" "No, we're not going to see her again"<br />
<br />
We then went into the temple together to bow and I asked her to "Buddha sit" with me. After a couple of minutes, I asked her what she was thinking about. "I can't stop thinking about my fish, Vera. I'm so sad." "That's okay. Just feel sad, then" She gently whimpered a little, then we got up to go. As we left the little hall amd headed up the mountain, I told the sad news about life. We all get old and we all die. "Really? But in Korea, some people don't get old and they don't die. And in Canada, too! Some people don't get old and they don't die." "Really? Wow! I never met anyone like them before! They're really amazing!" "Yes. They're really amazing." Maybe, it's best to leave it at that until another day...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-7jXVgPC/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-7jXVgPC/0/M/easter%20hike%20%20%288%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-dbR96ct/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-dbR96ct/0/M/easter%20hike%20%20%2810%29-M.jpg" title="" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-J9c8kVg/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-J9c8kVg/0/M/easter%20hike%20%20%2817%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-vPGFcxp/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-vPGFcxp/0/M/easter%20hike%20%20%2825%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-n7tdgKz/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-n7tdgKz/0/M/easter%20hike%20%20%2834%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-M3jmsdS/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Bulgoksan-Cellos-first-hike/i-M3jmsdS/0/M/easter%20hike%20%20%28124%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a>吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-51633991147330387712013-12-22T08:57:00.000-04:002013-12-22T08:57:04.343-04:00Danna (Giving)<div>
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/BongEunSa-July-18th-2010/i-5d4WxnF/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/BongEunSa-July-18th-2010/i-5d4WxnF/1/M/DSC_0274-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
With Christmas on the way, I was curious what Buddha's teachings had to say about giving so I searched Access to Insight. He actually had a lot to say about giving and considered it one of the essential preliminary steps of practice. The merits of giving are beyond comprehension.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the end of the <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an06/an06.037.than.html" target="_blank">Danna (Giving) Sutta</a>, he explains:<br />
<br />
"Just as it is not easy to take the measure of the great ocean as 'just this many buckets of water, just this many hundreds of buckets of water, just this many thousands of buckets of water, or just this many hundreds of thousands of buckets of water.' It is simply reckoned as a great mass of water, incalculable, immeasurable. In the same way, it is not easy to take the measure of the merit of a donation thus endowed with six factors as 'just this much a bonanza of merit, a bonanza of what is skillful — a nutriment of bliss, heavenly, resulting in bliss, leading to heaven — that leads to what is desirable, pleasing, charming, beneficial, pleasant.' It is simply reckoned as a great mass of merit, incalculable, immeasurable."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's a short sutta that can easily be read in it's entirety here:<br />
<a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an06/an06.037.than.html" target="_blank">Dana Sutta: Giving</a>" (AN 6.37), </div>
<div>
translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. </div>
吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-56231195721408869932013-12-15T10:17:00.000-04:002013-12-15T10:17:56.882-04:00Mucalinda<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mucalinda-Lake-abode-of-the/i-WpQHnjd/A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mucalinda-Lake-abode-of-the/i-WpQHnjd/0/M/mucalinda%20bodh%20gaya%20%28120%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mucalinda statue, below the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
In the weeks following Buddha's enlightenment, he sat in seven week-long meditation sessions, "sensitive to the bliss of release". <br />
<br />
During the sixth week, a sudden, out-of-season storm cloud rose in the sky, bringing seven days of intense rain, wind, cold and darkness. At that time, Mucalinda, the mystical serpent king, ascended from his dwelling, coiled his great body around Buddha seven times and spread his massive hood over the Buddha, not to let the elements disrupt his meditative state.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mucalinda thought to himself, "Don't let the Blessed One be disturbed by cold. Don't let the Blessed One be disturbed by heat. Don't let the Blessed One be disturbed by the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, and creeping things."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When seven days past, Buddha emerged from his deep concentration. Mucalinda, seeing that the storm had passed uncoiled himself from around the Buddha and took the form of a young man. Placing his hands over his heart, he stood before Buddha giving homage. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Acknowledging the significance of the event, Buddha exclaimed</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
"Blissful is solitude</div>
<div>
for one who's content,</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>who has heard the Dhamma,</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>who sees.</div>
<div>
Blissful is non-affliction</div>
<div>
with regard for the world,</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>restraint for living beings.</div>
<div>
Blissful is dispassion</div>
<div>
with regard for the world,</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>the overcoming of sensuality.</div>
<div>
But the subduing of the conceit "I am" —</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>That is truly</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>the ultimate bliss."<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mucalinda-Lake-abode-of-the/i-r3jJhBj/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mucalinda-Lake-abode-of-the/i-r3jJhBj/1/M/Bodh%20Gaya%20%28125%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mucalinda-Lake-abode-of-the/i-spfD3X5/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mucalinda-Lake-abode-of-the/i-spfD3X5/1/M/Bodh%20Gaya%20%28126%29-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mucalinda-Lake-abode-of-the/i-7FDzdXw/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mucalinda-Lake-abode-of-the/i-7FDzdXw/1/M/Bodh%20Gaya%20%28117%29-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Quoted text from</span> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/ud.2.01.than.html" target="_blank">Muccalinda Sutta: About Muccalinda" (Ud 2.1)</a>, </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Access to Insight </span></span></div>
吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-88253230590610242412013-12-14T04:53:00.000-04:002013-12-14T04:54:56.834-04:00Our Greatest Accomplishment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Jogyesa-February-13th-2011/i-9rKp2pn/A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Jogyesa-February-13th-2011/i-9rKp2pn/1/M/rinjogkkik_0148-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the known history of human existence, the Buddha's enlightenment, in my opinion, is our greatest accomplishment. The selfless pains and trials he passed through, without the aid of instruction or guidance, in relentless effort to understand the condition of suffering for all beings.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="background-color: #fffeff; color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;">Through the round of many births I roamed
without reward,
without rest,
seeking the house-builder.
Painful is birth
again & again.
House-builder, you're seen!
You will not build a house again.
All your rafters broken,
the ridge pole dismantled,
immersed in dismantling, the mind
has attained to the end of craving.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="background-color: #fffeff; color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;">
</span>—Buddha <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.11.than.html#dhp-153" style="border: 0px; color: #1e3478; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dhp 153-4</a></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: #fffeff; color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;"></span>吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-45213544811394802522013-12-07T23:34:00.000-04:002013-12-07T23:47:02.516-04:00Bodhi Day (Enlightenment Day), December 8th<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mahabodhi-Temple/i-qGJ3sPd/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mahabodhi-Temple/i-qGJ3sPd/0/M/Bodh%20Gaya%20%2811%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya<br />
<br />
Today is the day, on the Gregorian calendar, that the Buddha's enlightenment is celebrated.<br />
<br />
Thanks, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/anuprightstone" target="_blank">An Upright Stone</a>, for the reminder!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fffeff; color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"When the mind was thus concentrated, purified, bright, unblemished, rid of defilement, pliant, malleable, steady, & attained to imperturbability, I directed it to the knowledge of the ending of the mental fermentations. I discerned, as it was actually present, that 'This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress... This is the way leading to the cessation of stress... These are fermentations... This is the origination of fermentations... This is the cessation of fermentations... This is the way leading to the cessation of fermentations.' My heart, thus knowing, thus seeing, was released from the fermentation of sensuality, released from the fermentation of becoming, released from the fermentation of ignorance. With release, there was the knowledge, 'Released.' I discerned that 'Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fffeff; color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">-from <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.036.than.html" target="_blank">Maha-Saccaka Sutta: The Longer Discourse to Saccaka (MN 36)</a>, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/" target="_blank">Access to Insight</a>.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mahabodhi-Temple/i-MvZVX3n/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mahabodhi-Temple/i-MvZVX3n/2/M/Bodh%20Gaya%20%2842%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mahabodhi-Temple/i-WWRXCXf/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mahabodhi-Temple/i-WWRXCXf/1/M/Bodh%20Gaya%20%2876%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mahabodhi-Temple/i-x5zTBw5/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mahabodhi-Temple/i-x5zTBw5/1/M/Bodh%20Gaya%20%28305%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mahabodhi-Temple/i-9bBmCPB/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/India/Bodhgaya-Bihar/Mahabodhi-Temple/i-9bBmCPB/1/M/Bodh%20Gaya%20%28357%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span>吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-92179189627177156942013-11-21T12:01:00.002-04:002013-11-21T12:44:51.089-04:00the non-duality of suffering<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Greeting-DaeHaeng-Kun-Sunim/i-kSCv58n/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Greeting-DaeHaeng-Kun-Sunim/i-kSCv58n/0/M/hanmaum%20distcon_02062011-200919-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<br />
A line from Seon Master Daehaeng's Dharma talk that I'd lost while while writing the last post suddenly returned to me as I crossed the street coming home from a student's house tonight. <br />
<br />
I'm not scribing a perfect recitation of Chong Go Sunim's translation but in my own words/understanding, Seon Master Daehaeng taught us that there is not your suffering and my suffering, nor is the suffering of different people, different beings more or less. There is only suffering. We all suffer equally. Suffering is not dualistic. Because you suffer, I suffer. Because there is suffering we all suffer. We are all one. Therefore, we should do whatever we can to not breed more suffering but to cease it. 吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-10298360958455295482013-11-18T13:19:00.001-04:002013-11-19T10:31:58.375-04:00Precepts ceremony at Hanmaum Seonwon, November 17th, 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-CHHwfW2/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-CHHwfW2/0/M/precepts%20renew%20008-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a special day together yesterday with my old friends and Dharma Brothers, as much for the ceremony as for the simple company of dear and wonderful friends. Something we've all been struggling with is being isolated from friends and even just a single hectic day together helped fill the void. We all recognized how great it was for our paths to meet again, especially in this way.<br />
<br />
Chong Go Sunim did a lot of running around for us, providing us royal treatment at the ceremony. We had front row seats for the ceremony, just behind the group of monks on the right (nuns on the left). After a few minutes of meditation, a video made of Daehaeng Kun Sunim before she passed was projected beside the main shrine which seemed to bring her to life and I could truly feel her presence as she looked out upon us. A dharma talk she had given on the precepts was played which Chong Go Sunim later translated for us. What I was able to retain of it, and I may be totally botching it, was that the five precepts are the gateway but when we let go of "I" we also let go of the precepts. However, when "I" is dissolved and we see all beings, every single being in the universe, is ourself, we natural hold the precepts because when other is self, how could we cause harm? One does not even need to "know" the precepts to hold them. Simply not doing harm to others, one will naturally follow the precepts. Every opportunity to help, no matter how small, must be taken. If you were to come across a struggling worm, wriggling on the sidewalk, help it to a safe place. There are no words to express what it means to help in this way. Our thoughts and intentions come back to us perfectly. Hurry, hurry, come, become a Buddha. (Chong Go Sunim, please correct me if I'm terribly off, even even a little!)<br />
<br />
Then, the Juji Sunim (Abbess) of Hanmaum gave the precepts, with a stronger emphasis on the doing aspect than what not to do, asking if we will do it after each one, and we repeated our intention to uphold them. Once that was done, the monks form a long row of assembly lines, preparing incense stick to mark our arms with. Chong Go Sunim told us it was the luck of the draw as to which monk burned as, which didn't really matter to me at all, but I sarcastically whined to him in my best imitation of a spoilt child, "But I want Juji Sunim to do mine~~~." "And that's why it's the luck of the draw!" he responded.<br />
<br />
I went to the nearest nun, bowed, held out my arm, and she pressed the three incense sticks into my arm. It doesn't hurt too much, but the sting did make me flinch. I thanked her for burning me, which sounds a bit odd if you decided to think about it, with palms together and bowed again. Before leaving, Chong Go Sunim snuck us over to great Juji Sunim, who was set up in the middle. I bowed to her and she motioned for my arm. She planted the incense into my flesh much firmer than the other nun had and though I didn't flinch, hers hurt! I wondered if she knew how bad I'd been since initially taking them five years ago... haha I didn't even notice at first, but the ember of one of the stick had actually stuck to my arm and continued to smoulder. As I returned to Chong Go Sunim and Marcus, I noticed the thin line of smoke rising from my arm. "Sunim," I called, with a bit of a tremble, "do I have to leave it there or can I put it our" "Uh, you'd better but it out right now." I was joking, but I actually didn't mind the extra-strength burn. Chong Go Sunim once said that the mark left by the incense will open doors for you in the unseen realm, I'm hoping that one will open them really wide! (^_^)<br />
<br />
Thank you to my friends, Joe, Marcus, Chong Go Sunim, thank you to Daehaeng Kun Sunim (Zen Master Daehaeng), Juji Sunim, and all the nuns and monks at Hanmaum Seonwon (One Mind Seon Center), and thank you to the 3000 other people who joined us on Sunday. May the karmic momentum of the day be long lasting and far reaching.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-TJvLBB3/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-TJvLBB3/0/M/precepts%20renew%20011-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-vFg3MBb/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-vFg3MBb/0/M/precepts%20renew%20014-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-9mzMgMr/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-9mzMgMr/0/M/precepts%20renew%20017-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-8X96jps/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-8X96jps/0/M/precepts%20renew%20019-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-DspKwCX/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-DspKwCX/0/M/precepts%20renew%20020-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-KMQnL4N/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-KMQnL4N/0/M/precepts%20renew%20021-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-S8sv2Df/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-S8sv2Df/0/M/precepts%20renew%20022-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-Q6kq8xx/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-Q6kq8xx/0/M/precepts%20renew%20023-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-nZj5w7N/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-nZj5w7N/0/M/precepts%20renew%20026-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-nZFQ493/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-nZFQ493/0/M/precepts%20renew%20028-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Later, at Bongeunsa</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-BqPgm45/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-BqPgm45/0/M/precepts%20renew%20031-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-smpFgmq/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-smpFgmq/0/M/precepts%20renew%20042-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-mZssndT/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-mZssndT/0/M/precepts%20renew%20043-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-Jt6q79Q/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-Jt6q79Q/0/M/precepts%20renew%20045-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-v7jC6jn/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-v7jC6jn/0/M/precepts%20renew%20054-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-JccTcGb/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-JccTcGb/0/M/precepts%20renew%20059-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-VR9XL8j/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-VR9XL8j/0/M/precepts%20renew%20067-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-8V3tGKv/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-8V3tGKv/0/M/precepts%20renew%20070-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-JnFc4bN/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-JnFc4bN/0/M/precepts%20renew%20074-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-jZKMJKc/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-jZKMJKc/0/M/precepts%20renew%20087-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-D6kwcjK/A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Anyang/Hanmaum-5-Precepts-November/i-D6kwcjK/0/M/precepts%20renew%20091-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juji Sunim's burn is the top one, with the black spot in it! (^_^)<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-76896436592718062332013-11-15T16:37:00.000-04:002013-11-15T16:37:07.740-04:00Dharma Brothers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9f1d47UAeM/UoZ78iddH3I/AAAAAAAACGw/yuTaq4lB5fw/s1600/precepts+%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9f1d47UAeM/UoZ78iddH3I/AAAAAAAACGw/yuTaq4lB5fw/s640/precepts+%252814%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Five and a half years ago, my friends and I took our 5 precepts at the Hanmaum Seon Center. This weekend we will be reunited (most of us) for the first time in nearly five years at Hanmaum again to have our vows renewed.<br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to seeing them again, even more than the ceremony. Great friends have been scarce though out my time in Korea and even a hectic day together will be rejuvenating, just as I anticipate the karma of the ceremony will be rejuvenating in the direction of my life (I can always use a swift kick in the dharma pants!). The precepts can be a powerful prescription.<br />
<br />
Looking back at the photos, I have to laugh at the four of us showing up bald. People may get the impression that it was necessary, but it wasn't! Two of us by circumstance, occasional habit for myself, and a total surprise by the other! I'll be wearing my full-blown mop this time...<br /><br />Anyway, looking forward to seeing my friends this weekend! I hope we all arrive safely!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pFp_cjA3_8s/UoZ78kx-c2I/AAAAAAAACGs/CJdmkWP1DlA/s1600/precepts+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pFp_cjA3_8s/UoZ78kx-c2I/AAAAAAAACGs/CJdmkWP1DlA/s640/precepts+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-rF4AJL2KA/UoZ79gJsc2I/AAAAAAAACHA/mW6Hne1U_wM/s1600/precepts+%252823%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-rF4AJL2KA/UoZ79gJsc2I/AAAAAAAACHA/mW6Hne1U_wM/s640/precepts+%252823%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IOvMfdqtshk/UoZ795PcSAI/AAAAAAAACHE/HopFOihRpnc/s1600/precepts+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IOvMfdqtshk/UoZ795PcSAI/AAAAAAAACHE/HopFOihRpnc/s640/precepts+%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-44474906728616598762013-11-14T10:47:00.001-04:002013-11-14T10:47:36.505-04:00Why chant Om Mani Padme Hum?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RNwcuua6Wjc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Excerpt from Khyentse Rinpoche talk:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">"How does chanting Om Mani Padme Hum help us to maintain the worth of Avalokiteśvara? Because Om-ma-ni-pad-me-hum, these six syllables, actually bring the presence of God. These six syllables manifest six kinds of experience. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">In order to counter and manipulate these six realms, we have Om Mani Padme Hum."</span>吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-44758007100420513252013-11-09T09:22:00.001-04:002013-11-09T09:22:35.405-04:00Avalokitesvara has a sex change!<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Somewhere/2005/i-r8kkNCv/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Somewhere/2005/i-r8kkNCv/2/M/gatbawi%20-%20june%2025%202005%20%28144%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Excerpt from Khyentse Rinpoche talk:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Avalokiteśvara is everywhere. When you go to places like Burma or Sri Lanka, Avalokiteśvara is understood as the Gate Keeper. This layboy, layman who holds the lotus. A very nice layboy who is a disciple of the Buddha. Now in Tibet, Avalokiteśvara is a very big deal. Almost everything about Tibetan practice is related to Avalokiteśvara. And when Avalokiteśvara arrives in China, it looks like Avalokiteśvara has a sex change! And Avalokiteśvara suddenly is a female. So, Avalokiteśvara is not a deity only, it is a phenomena, it is </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b>the</b></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> phenomena, it is </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">universe</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">."</span>吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-50546246119789890342013-11-08T10:42:00.004-04:002013-11-08T10:42:50.066-04:00The Absolute Nature Of This Mind Is Avalokiteśvara<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongSanBuk-Do/GyngJu/BulGukSa-September-3rd-2006/i-cMd32VS/A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongSanBuk-Do/GyngJu/BulGukSa-September-3rd-2006/i-cMd32VS/0/M/1000%20hands%20bulguksa%20%28134%29-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Excerpt from Khyentse Rinpoche talk:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">"The absolute nature of this mind is Avalokiteśvara. It's beyond form, beyond colour, beyond shape, beyond any conceptions. Actually, for this reason, to express that Avalokiteśvara is beyond form, beyond colour, beyond shape, many times we also have different varieties of Avalokiteśvara; with 1000 arms, with four arms, with eleven heads, as woman, as man, as a pig, as birds, everything. There is Avalokiteśvara is the form of a horse. Sometimes in order to express the inexpressible we have to express in many myriad ways. When I discovered that Avalokiteśvara is a female in China, I was so happy. This alone proves the non duality of Avalokiteśvara."</span>吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-38919310271766642652013-11-07T12:28:00.000-04:002013-11-07T12:28:01.850-04:00So The Mundane Becomes Sacred<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Yong-In/Waujeongsa-January-2010/i-x33JzNb/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/GyeongGi-Do/Yong-In/Waujeongsa-January-2010/i-x33JzNb/0/M/tea%20buddha-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666;">Excerpt from Khyentse Rinpoche talk:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">"We must make our spiritual path integrate with our day-to-day life. That our sole spiritual path should not be done only in the church or the temple or the monastery. That the spiritual path can be done while you are sipping your tea, while you are doing the laundry, while you do all the mundane stuff so the mundane becomes sacred. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">As easy as it sounds, it's quite difficult because always we end up limiting our spiritual path to something very minimal, like on the cushion, a few minutes of meditation in front of the shrine, but the moment you are off the meditation cushion, out of the shrine, then you forget all of that."</span>吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-68856476787363789602013-11-06T11:33:00.000-04:002013-11-08T10:37:25.297-04:00Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche at Bongeunsa Temple (part 1) <span style="color: #666666;">Well, this is three months over due, but I'd finally like to transcribe the Khyentse Rinpoche talk at Bongeunsa in parts. It wasn't a groundbreaking talk by any means, but still worth while and I know at least a couple of people interested in Avalokiteśvara (Guan Yin/Guanseum) who will enjoy it. There were a couple of lines I just couldn't decipher, but I did my best not to lose any meaning. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BXuhnUT8hR8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche:<br />
<br />
Everything I'm going to tell you I learned from my teachers. I didn't find on my own. I'm not a good practitioner. I should practice more. And I say this also not out of humility, I have so much pride, but I say this as a disclaimer so that you won't have any excessive expectations.<br />
<br />
I'd like to make this be more of a discussion, so please feel free to ask questions, debate or argue content with me. Buddhism is one very rare religion in that it is a religion of reasoning. Buddha himself encouraged to analyze and be critical of his speeches and that is what we must do to get knowledge.<br />
<br />
The point of discussion that we are going to have today is about everyday meditation and also Avalokiteśvara; the sort of concept, the spirit, the world, the phenomenon, if you like, of Avalokiteśvara. And I think these two are quite important points. Everyday meditation, meaning that we must make our spiritual path integrate with our day-to-day life. That our sole spiritual path should not be done only in the church or the temple or the monastery. That the spiritual path can be done while you are sipping your tea, while you are doing the laundry, while you do all the mundane stuff so the mundane becomes sacred. As easy as it sounds, it's quite difficult because always we end up limiting our spiritual path into something very minimum like on the cushion, a few minutes of meditation in front of the shrine, but the moment you are [off] of the meditation cushion, out of the shrine, then you forget all of that.<br />
<br />
I think the culture of understanding of Buddhism seems to have misinterpreted these things a lot. For instance, generally when Buddhist talk about the modern practitioner, what means the modern practitioner? You know, a great practitioner? Usually it's always a monk or a nun or a "renouncent" person. The image of the serene, simple monk, like a Śāriputra is very appealing for us. But do you know, in Buddhism, especially in Mahayana Buddhism, there are many other models, too. Like Mañjuśrī or Avalokiteśvara. They are not a simple monk. They have more earrings than you do! And they wear really beautiful costume! Are they are very important, equally important to Śāriputra, if not more. And, also, if you look at the Buddhist history, most of the credit of Buddha-Dharma is given to the monks. But if you look at it carefully, the flourishing of the Dharma has also a lot to do with the kings, like Ashoka of India, Harsha of India, Trisong Detsen of Tibet, and the Mongol kings, many Chinese emperors, and I'm sure that also in Korea many great kings had a big hand in the propagation of Buddha-Dharma, so they need to be appreciated. Do you have one such King in Korea? You are saying so many kings! See, very good. This proves my point even more. And these kings, they must have done all what kings do. They must have waged war, they must have partied, they must not always be sitting on the cushion or inside the cave. Yet they are Buddhist. Not only Buddhist, they are very important Buddhist practitioners. So this is what I'm saying when I say day-to-day meditation.<br />
<br />
Our second point is about Avalokiteśvara. Now, I don't need to tell you how important Avalokiteśvara is. For instance, in the Mahayana, one of the most important sutras is Prajñāpāramitā Sutra. Now if you read it, you will realize the main person who is actually answering all the questions is Avalokiteśvara. Avalokiteśvara is everywhere. When you go to places like Burma or Sri Lanka, Avalokiteśvara is understood as the Gate Keeper. This layboy, layman who holds the lotus. A very nice layboy who is a disciple of the Buddha. Now in Tibet, Avalokiteśvara is a very big deal. Almost everything about Tibetan practice is related to Avalokiteśvara. And when Avalokiteśvara arrives in China, it looks like Avalokiteśvara has a sex change! And Avalokiteśvara suddenly is a female. So, Avalokiteśvara is not a deity only, it is a phenomena, it is <i><b>the</b></i> phenomena, it is <b>universe</b>.<br />
<br />
So, I'm going to combine these two.<br />
<br />
Now, usually, during the day-to-day situation, what do we have? What do we experience? Who is Avalokiteśvara? It's very important you know Avalokiteśvara is not a god or mighty creator. It is not a truly existent guy that came a long time ago which we worship. It's not just that. So who is really Avalokiteśvara? Nationality? Name of the father? Place where the mother's from? Birth date? If you ask me this, I have no choice but to answer you in many levels. Ultimately, Avalokiteśvara is none other than your own innate, naked mind. We all have a mind, don't we? This is important. We need ask this question, "Do we have mind?" Especially we need to ask if we have teenagers because many children forget we have mind. So, when we have a mind this mind that we have, the absolute nature of this mind is Avalokiteśvara. It's beyond form, beyond colour, beyond shape, beyond any conceptions. Actually, for this reason to express Avalokiteśvara is beyond form, beyond colour, beyond shape, many times we also have a different variety of Avalokiteśvara; with 1000 arms, with four arms, with eleven heads, as woman, as man, as a pig, as birds, everything. There is Avalokiteśvara is the form of a horse. Sometimes in order to express the inexpressible we have to express in many myriad ways. When I discovered that Avalokiteśvara is a female in China, I was so happy. This alone proves the non duality of Avalokiteśvara.<br />
<br />
More practically, again, if you ask the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, right this very moment, for instance, you have thoughts. You must be thinking. You are hearing this humming sound of the air conditioner. You are hearing the cicadas. Or you are thinking about the breakfast that you had. Or maybe you are thinking of the stocks you are going to buy or sell. You must have a thought. Look into it. Look into it without hope and without fear. Without hope that it has to be something so special. A very simple mind that you have that is not tainted, that is not contrived. Moment of thought come and then if you are entangled with a certain other thought that is not counted. We hear cicadas. The one that cognizes the cicadas. But the moment you think it's annoying, then you are a step away form Avalokiteśvara. So I'm trying my best to introduce the ultimate Avalokiteśvara. This is Avalokiteśvara. And this naked mind, uncontrived mind. If we were only able to maintain with mindfulness, then almost all other suffering disappears like steam evaporates. See, usually, a thought comes. Maybe hunger. Then we think which restaurant. Then we think about diet. Then you think about your weight. Things like that, you get entangled. Entanglement then leads to emotion; deception, passion, jealousy, all of that. Now, there are hundreds and hundred of ways to develop this mindfulness of Avalokiteśvara.<br />
<br />
I'm here to just give you some general picture, any kind of practical advice. Sitting here, meeting some other teachers here, you have Buddha-Dharma. It's better to have a group or some guidance. But just to share a few ideas, of ordinary people. First of all, when I say this mind that you have, this very naked mind, is Avalokiteśvara, you will not believe it. You'll say, "How can it be? Avalokiteśvara is a very sublime, beautiful, clean, pristine. I am a defiled, bad human being." But that's actually a very dualistic way of thinking. Many Christian, and Judaism, they think like that, that God will save us. So, to maintain and even to have trust that Avalokiteśvara is our nature is difficult. And on top of that, it's too simple. Therefore, it cannot be conceived. So, for this reason, now we have not so simple Avalokiteśvara, with four arms, with thousand arms, Avalokiteśvara who asks the questions, Avalokiteśvara who answers the questions, Avalokiteśvara who came as a woman, as a bird, all these.<br />
<br />
And of many, many, many techniques, there is one really good technique of chanting the mantra. The mantra is Om Mani Padme Hum. The study of mantra is very big in Mahayana. How does chanting Om Mani Padme Hum help us to maintain the worth of Avalokiteśvara? Now, let us go back to our other topic, day-to-day enlightenment, day-to-day life mindfulness. Because om-ma-ni-pad-me-hum, these six syllables, actually bring the presence of God. These six syllables manifest six kinds of experience. Now, what are the six experiences? Broadly speaking, Heaven-Hell experience, hungry ghost, animal, god, human, and Asura (demon). These are the six different experiences or perceptions. Now, I want to talk about Heaven-Hell. In Mahayana Buddhism, Hell is not outside. In fact, all six realms are not outside. This is the point of our discussion today, day-to-day mindfulness, everyday, day-to-day, we go through the six realms. Just to give you a brief example, probably when you when you wake up in the morning, because previous night too many drinks, too many parties, I don't know, in the morning, you are groggy, you are really dumb. You don't even recognize who's the person beside you. You must be going through animal experience. Then you jump into the shower, shave, mascara, lipstick, all the grooming, dress-up, then you think you are so beautiful, your are presentable, at least. - God-realm experience! Then you're late, you miss the bus, you jump into taxi, a traffic jam, and then you are losing temper. Then you shout, something like this. Maybe, Hell-realm experience. Then at last, you reach your company, office, what ever, and found out your peer got promote or is doing better than you and you got jealous. Maybe Asura experience. And then Friday night, Saturday night, we all become a little frisky and kinky, a little naughty. The neon lights, the bars, they all look very attractive. You feel like impressing others by paying the bills. This is the general phenomena of the experience or the perception we have. This leads to the next set of perceptions. More hope, more fear, more negative emotion, more engaging in reaction, action then leads to the certain effect, the effect then gives birth to more cause of punishment. That's how we endlessly go round and round and round.<br />
<br />
In order to counter and manipulate these six realms, we have Om-ma-ni-pad-me-hum.<br />
<br />
I've been talking a lot, so I'm about to go into the animal realm a little bit, so lets have a ten minute break. What do you think?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-70087028659532800842013-09-17T12:44:00.001-03:002013-09-17T12:44:13.054-03:00End of the Hunger Strike at Jogyesa<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-NQbNn7N/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-NQbNn7N/0/M/DSC_0110-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<br />
I received a disheartening message from a monk who was involved in the earlier stages of the protest.<br />
<br />
They've called off the protest and have returned to their mountain temples since today Ja Seung announced that he will go ahead and run for re-election despite his promise not to.<br />
<br />
In his words, "Yes, our protest is righteous but not fully and properly supported from the public since the main mascom is bribed by the powerful and corrupted monks. And the result is we, the Zen monks quit the protest and went back in the mountain Zen monastery yesterday, when Ja-Seung, the present head monk declared to go for the next election which he promised not to dare to undertake. He betrayed his promise and all Buddhist Sangha. And Zen monks' simple and pure way of hunger strike seems to be nothing but a minority's opinion to him. But it is the voice of Dharma and conscience and justice. Let's see what will happen to him and the corrupted monks. Generally speaking the lay Buddhists are not recommended to be involved in Sangha's inner conflicts. But this is the not that kind of. Zen monks' protest is for reestablishment of pure Sangha free from scandals; sex, gambling and violence. Thanks."<br /><br />I will continue to morally support the noble and virtuous monks and nuns in the Jogye Order who are deserving of the robes they wear. Perhaps the best way I can do to help is to tell those listening that they still do exist and they are many.<br /><br /><br />吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-56996776959071547802013-09-16T04:05:00.002-03:002013-09-16T21:34:57.971-03:00Hunger Strike at Jogyesa (Jogye Temple), September 15th, 2013<div>
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-GLWwS5k/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-GLWwS5k/0/M/DSC_0116-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is a piece I wrote in hopes of finding a publication for it in Korea;<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I visited Jogye Temple, the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located in downtown Seoul, where nine meditation monks are on their 10th day of hunger strike. They remain in meditation throughout the day without food or sleep.<br />
<br />
They are protesting against the head monk of the Jogye order, Ven. Ja Seung, who had promised to resign at the end of his term after allegedly being involved in gambling and prostitution scandals. Now that his term is up, he is trying to remain in power. Though the initial scandal received much press, these monks are getting very little coverage in most of the media.<br />
<br />
The nine monks on hunger strike are meditation monks who usually don’t get involved with the business of the office monks but this is a serious issue for them. They are asking that he keeps his promise to resign and that the community of monks may be cleansed of those who conduct themselves inappropriately.<br />
<br />
Perhaps if the wider Buddhist community, including the laity, and the general public, both inside and outside of Korea, showed greater support, their efforts would not be wasted. The activity of the administrative sector of the temple headquarters, widely considered to be of a standard less than ideal in Buddhist monks, should not tarnish the reputation of the entire community when, in fact, there are many monks who continue to practice their faith diligently, following the path of the Buddha with true sincerity.<br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> <a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-hXW4r2C/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-hXW4r2C/0/M/DSC_0117-M.jpg" title="" /></a></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 굴림; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-WgWsMnr/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-WgWsMnr/0/M/DSC_0118-M.jpg" title="" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-2R6Sk24/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-2R6Sk24/0/M/DSC_0119-M.jpg" title="" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-cq62MkZ/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-cq62MkZ/0/M/DSC_0120-M.jpg" title="" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-QsgZGmB/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-QsgZGmB/0/M/DSC_0122-M.jpg" title="" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-9f77S8M/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-9f77S8M/0/M/DSC_0121-M.jpg" title="" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-NnDFzf4/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-NnDFzf4/0/M/DSC_0124-M.jpg" title="" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-Kgsf5r7/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-Kgsf5r7/0/M/DSC_0123-M.jpg" title="" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-gHk8vLr/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-gHk8vLr/0/M/DSC_0129-M.jpg" title="" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-W6pwnnF/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Hunger-strike-at-Jogyesa/i-W6pwnnF/0/M/DSC_0136-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><!--[endif]--></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-83608403854854282332013-08-04T07:32:00.000-03:002013-08-04T07:33:19.748-03:00Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche at Bongeunsa, August 3rd, 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Dzongsar-Jamyang-Khyentse/i-GHCRdLk/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Dzongsar-Jamyang-Khyentse/i-GHCRdLk/0/M/414_3610-M.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<br />
I listened to Khyentse Rinpoche give a simple but very nice talk yesterday morning (simple usually is very for for Dhamma talks, I believe).<br />
<br />
I talk was divided into three related parts; Avalokiteśvara, Om Mani Padme Hum, and Bodhicitta.<br />
<br />
To sum it up, Avalokiteśvara's name is Perfect Perception. Perfect Perception is basically mindfulness; perceiving without attaching more to the experience.<br />
<br />
Since mindfulness is so difficult to maintain, Om Mani Padme Hum helps bring us back to a mindful state, like a deep breath but more effective.<br />
<br />
Finally, putting Bodhicitta (Enlightened Mind or Mind of Perfect Wisdom) into action, what ever we must do, if it's done with Bodhicitta, then it is the right thing to do, so do it.<br />
<br />
This is perhaps overly simplified, but I recorded the talk on my phone and plan to divide it into sections go into more depth if I can manage the time. I'll at least get the recordings up for those who wish to listen, or I recommended looking up any of his talks online. Some of them are very entertaining, as well as insightful.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Dzongsar-Jamyang-Khyentse/i-8XgprPv/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Dzongsar-Jamyang-Khyentse/i-8XgprPv/0/M/414_3613-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Dzongsar-Jamyang-Khyentse/i-9br9ZLb/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Dzongsar-Jamyang-Khyentse/i-9br9ZLb/0/M/414_3621-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Dzongsar-Jamyang-Khyentse/i-5C55kJR/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul/Seoul-Temples/Dzongsar-Jamyang-Khyentse/i-5C55kJR/1/M/414_3610-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-53837423348795726922013-08-01T23:16:00.001-03:002013-08-01T23:16:21.799-03:00Middle Intelligence<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" scrolling="no" src="http://api.smugmug.com/services/embed/2668345615_5sC2jPm?width=640&height=360&noshare&nohome" width="640"></iframe><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Beyond my fondness of Theravāda teachings, there's something about Zen that I have a hard time "getting". It may be for lack of trying, but sometimes the thought crosses my mind, "Maybe I'm not smart enough to get it?"<br /><br />Talking with Chong Go Sunim once, he mentioned that though a certain amount of intelligence is required, being "too smart" is also a hindrance, since you may tend to over analyse and miss the point. <div>
Barry wrote about this problem here; "<a href="http://www.oxherding.com/my_weblog/2011/06/zen-master-seung-sahn-4.html" target="_blank">You must become more stupid.</a>"<br /><div>
<br />
Now, I seriously doubt I'm too intelligent, but too much thinking could still be a problem.<br />
And with that, I'll just stop right here and sit, whatever my intelligence is...<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" scrolling="no" src="http://api.smugmug.com/services/embed/2668351410_rxfNGTN?width=640&height=360&albumId=2366934&albumKey=NL3Jr3" width="640"></iframe></div>
</div>
吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-19474954964601208582013-07-19T13:15:00.000-03:002013-07-19T17:17:53.675-03:00Ears<a href="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul-Temples/Buddhas-Birthday-Bongeunsa/29690597_rnQtM5#!i=2542239437&k=kjrqkZt&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://bengivenni.smugmug.com/Korea/Seoul-Temples/Buddhas-Birthday-Bongeunsa/i-kjrqkZt/0/M/414_0869-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br>
<br>
The literal translation of Guan Se Um is Perceive the Cries of the World. In China, it's been shortened to Kwan Yin but the original translation of Avalokiteśvara was Kwan Shi Yin. <br>
<br>
In Korean, the "Se" part is taken quite literally, too. It's an aspect of Korean Buddhism that I've never fully taken to, crying to the Bodhisattva. Nope, I usually just choose to vent my displeasure to the unfortunate ears of my friends rather than the one who has been named for a superhuman ability to listen. <br>
<br>
Realizing this made me aware of a different aspect of the Bodhisattva's compassion. Not only does she ease the world's burden by listening to our cries, she also helps by saving the unaccustomed ears of those who would otherwise have to listen. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-72331178189427631662013-07-14T23:00:00.000-03:002013-07-15T13:31:09.408-03:00Monday Morning Blues; So Good to So Bad<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" scrolling="no" src="http://api.smugmug.com/services/embed/2633687231_jWnC5F6?width=425&height=360" width="425"></iframe><br />
Shel Silverstein • So Good to So Bad<br />
<br />
Buddha pointed out that among the major factors of dukka are the desires to be with the ones we love and to be as far away as possible from those we dislike. Well, those weren't his exact words, but to not be with those we dislike is certainly preferable.<br />
<br />
Fastword 1980, Uncle Shelby reminds us that thanks to impermanence, another of Buddha's popular topics, those we love and those we wish not to be around aren't necessarily different people if enough time passes. And it doesn't have to be much time at all, either.<br />
<br />
If I may add my own two cents, I've also learned in life that the opposite is also true. Sometimes confrontation with unwelcome beings can forge the strongest friendships. 吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-30275410199403788502013-06-03T06:33:00.001-03:002013-06-03T06:33:13.543-03:00Monday Morning Blues; Seeds and Stems Again Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OEg9FbuaSCk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Commander Cody • Seeds and Stems Again Blues吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627066232096656465.post-32200378173460988112013-05-02T14:03:00.000-03:002013-05-02T14:03:06.172-03:00Ben<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRGpkQKgVVakHSwTuiP4huOYDWziUNhfPwY3akl1cAthLCHjSgMTNngpHt3OVtk4mIuxORAiajEii76ccdOv2VbxQNgZXsFN6ExqQV7kjPkRFA8toHFPGXpdVluDL9sd3GIV3zNidT8aA/s1600/227475_6446140972_3662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRGpkQKgVVakHSwTuiP4huOYDWziUNhfPwY3akl1cAthLCHjSgMTNngpHt3OVtk4mIuxORAiajEii76ccdOv2VbxQNgZXsFN6ExqQV7kjPkRFA8toHFPGXpdVluDL9sd3GIV3zNidT8aA/s1600/227475_6446140972_3662_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Eunbong and I were just shocked to hear that a hometown friend has died in China.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My heart is broken for his mother, his brother, his wife and young daughter. I also hope that he finds clarity in the confusion of his sudden passing.<br /><br />Gwanseum Bosal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gwanseum Bosal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gwanseum Bosal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jijang Bosal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jijang Bosal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jijang Bosal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><br /></div>
<br />吉道 Giuseppehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05451938938458412188noreply@blogger.com1