the mind and evolution

In his post a few days ago, Joseph relayed the story of a monk who died in the Jiri Mountains (A glimpse). It highlighted two critical truths, namely, that we are not our bodies, and the importance of how we use our minds.  In Chapter 2 of No River to Cross, Daehaeng Kun Sunim also covers these points:  Even [...]

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notes on karma

During last year’s season of Rains Retreat talks Phra Cittasamvaro Bhikku said the Buddha taught there are  four imponderables, four things just not worth thinking about as they are impossible to understand. One is the source of psychic powers, another is the mind of an Arahant, the third is the mind of a Buddha, and the final imponderable [...]

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a glimpse

One of the most interesting stories I heard Chong Go Sunim tell at Saturday Sangha was about a monk he knows who was staying in Haein Temple, when Zen Master Seong Chol was still alive. The monk left the temple to do a long retreat in the Jiri Mountainsand was living off what ever he could find in the forested slopes. [...]

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More (Buddhist) books about Korea

In a previous post featuring books about Korea, readers pointed out a couple of truly great books that been overlooked. The first one is The Zen Monastic Experience, by Robert Buswell. Written about life in a major Korean zen monastery, this is based upon the years he spent at Songgwa Temple. He lived here as monk for about five years, under [...]

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Buddhist Nuns in Korea

Korea has one of the most vibrant communities of Buddhist nuns in the world. To my knowledge, only Taiwan has anything even close. While there are still some inequities, such as the tendency for monk’s temples to attract more donations, in terms of practice, the nun’s community is outstanding.      Two of the major institutions for nuns [...]

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Sunday Photo; Dharma Hall at Hanmaum

In contribution to this blog, I would like to share a photo each Sunday, focusing on interesting Buddhist sites, throughout South Korea. I thought a good place to start would be the main Dharma Hall at Hanmaum Seonwon. An interesting, detailed description of the Hall and it’s art work can be read here on the Hanmaum website. [...]

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moving the mala

“Huge, violent, killer waves of our own making are bearing down on us, ready to smash us against the rocks.” I know this to be absolutely true. I’ve experienced some of it for myself already, across the moments, days and decades of my life. Every unskillful action I’ve ever performed either has, or will eventually, [...]

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a pure mind

Mind is the forerunner of all things. Mind is chief; mind-made are they. If one speaks or acts with a wicked mind, suffering follows, as the wheel of a cart follows the hoof of the ox. Mind is the forerunner of all things. Mind is chief; mind-made are they. If one speaks or acts with [...]

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Venerable Ya-un: Being generous

This post continues the Venerable Ya-un’s Admonitions to Myself. Here he warns us about the limitations of desire, while encouraging us to pay attention to what lasts and what benefits us longterm. Greed is the foremost cause of a suffering-filled rebirth.[1]  Giving is foremost among the six good practices.[2]  Stinginess and greed prevent you from [...]

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Bangkok Kimchi

Just a few days after reading Chong Go Sunim’s fascinating post the other week about Korean temple food, and after having just finished a very fine Korean meal myself, I was asked if I’d like to attend a class in kimchi-making - part of a whole series of hands-on Korean cooking tutorials - right here in in Bangkok!  The classes are organised by the Korea Tourism Organisation [...]

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