November 22nd Korean Temple Event

Below are details of a special event at the Korean temple – There is an American monk flying in specially, and he will give a dharma talk in the afternoon. Contact Marcus for any extra details (either through the comments box at the end of this post, or through our contact page)

The Bangkok Hanmaum Seonwon (One-Mind Zen Centre) is celebrating its

Tenth Aniversary

Sunday, November 22nd

Two parts to the day:

  • 10:00 am – Anniversary ceremony (with some English and Thai translation)
  • 2:30   pm – Dharma talk in English by the American monk Venerable Chong Go Sunim

All are welcome to attend either or both of these events. All is free of charge.

Venerable Chong Go Sunim:

Sunim is the Korean word for Bhikkhu or monk.

American Bhikkhu Ven Chong Go was ordained as a sami in the Korean Jogye Order (the largest Buddhist Order in Korea) in September 1993 and as a Bhikkhu in October 1998. On both occasions his preceptor was the Venerable Chong Ha.

Ven. Chong Go Sunim completed an MA in Seon Studies at Dongguk University in 2003 and received 3rd level certification from the Jogye order in 2002 allowing him to ordain others and serve as an abbot.

Ven. Chong Go’s Guiding Sunim is the Venerable Hye Go Sunim and his Dharma teacher is the Venerable Seon Master Daehaeng Kun Sunim.

Chong Go Sunim practices at the Hanmaum International Centre where he helps translate the works of Master Daehaeng into English and other languages. He also takes care of several Dharma groups and give Dharma talks in English and Korean.

The Bangkok Hanmaum Seon Center:

Bangkok Seon Club

The Bangkok Seon Club is an English-language Zen group that will be meeting monthly at the Bangkok Hanmaum Seonwon  aka the One-mind Zen Centre near Ekamai BTS (map and directions below)  to share experiences and study Korean Zen in general, and the teachings of Zen Master Daehaeng Kunsunim in particular. First up is informal study of Daehaeng Kunsunim’s book “No River to Cross” – copies of which will be available at the centre.

Meetings will be open to all comers interested in Korean Zen Buddhism, whatever your background in Buddhism or meditation.

Background:

Daehaeng SunimThe Bangkok Hanmaum Seon Center is an overseas branch ofHanmaum Seonwon, established by Seon Master Daehaeng Kunsunim (a female Seon master widely respected throughout Korea) in 1972, and part of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism – the largest Buddhist Order in Korea with a history stretching back over 1,200 years.

‘Seon’ by the way, is the Korean word for ‘Zen’, and Master Daehaeng’s teaching is to realize and awaken to our inherent nature, also called Buddha-nature, inherent mind, or Juingong.

Daehaeng Kun Sunim teaches people to

Believe in your foundation, Juingong, and entrust it with everything that confronts you. Then go forward while observing and experimenting with what you experience.

The Bangkok branch of Hanmaum Seonwon was established ten years ago and serves the spiritual needs of Korean residents and visitors in the city. It is very much a centre of the Korean Buddhist community, and many families attend regularly with children of all ages.

The founder does not reside at this branch temple, but it is run by two resident female Sunims (monks) and holds regular weekly ceremonies and teachings in Korean, and a monthly English-language Seon group that usually meets on the evening of the first Saturday of the month.

Special Event Details:

Date: Sunday November 22nd

Time:  9.30am onwards – Arrival

10am to 12:00 – Ceremony

2.30pm – Dharma talk by Ven. Chong Go Sunim

Location:

Location:

The Bangkok Hanmaum Seon Centre

86-1 Soi 4 Sukhumvit 63

BTS  Ekamai Station – Exit 1

Take Exit 1 from Ekamai Station, and go down Ekamai Road (aka Sukhumvit 63). Turn right along Soi 4 and go to the end. Turning left you will see the Centre on your right a few meters along.

A motorcycle from Ekamai can also take you there cheaply. Ask for the ‘Wat Gao-lii’ (Korean temple).

Click map for a lager version:

Korean-Temple

 

A few points to note:

  • * There are no bare feet in Korean temples, it would be much appreciated if those wishing to come will remember to bring socks!
  • * The morning ceremony will be mostly in Korean. Although some transcribed versions will be available for some parts of the ceremony, and a translator will be available on the day, all the chants will be carried out in Korean.
  • * Korean bowing is very different to Thai bowing, and there will be a lot of it in the temple. No need to worry though, someone will show you how to perform a Korean bow, and you can just follow along!
  • * This is a good chance here in Bangkok to participate in an important ceremony in a Zen Buddhist temple, and to listen to some teachings from a well-respected and long-serving American Zen Buddhist monk. See you there!

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