Secret Chief
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They are quiet, serene places. I've gone a couple of times to one near here. We're so lucky that within the dharmic faiths, we welcome each other in that way, and nobody really feels that our of place. We get a few Buddhist and Sikhs dropping by our temple just to sit, or make the rounds of the shrines. I hope you do find time for that few minutes of solace in a stressed life.This afternoon, I visited a Buddhist temple for the first time. It was my first Buddhist temple in Korea and my first Buddhist temple in my life.
I walked around in the garden looking at the flowers and buildings. There was something in Korean and English that explained the history of the temple complex. All I remember is that it was founded in the 19th century and that the residents are nuns.
After the stroll in the garden, I found the actual temple. I placed my loafers on the shoe rack and quietly entered. As I entered, I touched the threshold with my right hand and then touched my forehead and chest with the same hand. Inside was the fragrance of good incense that had been burned. In a prominent setting was a Buddha statue with two bodhisattvas (perhaps that’s what they were) on either side. With palms together, I made my pranāms. Then, I sat down and attempted to meditate. At first it was difficult because I was nervous due to being there for the first time. After a few minutes, I started to feel still. Overall, I spent 15–20 minutes meditating. About 15 minutes before closing time, I got up and left. I was the only person there, it seemed.
My overall experience at the temple complex was very nice. I’m considering going there once a week now.
That sounds like a beautiful experience.This afternoon, I visited a Buddhist temple for the first time. It was my first Buddhist temple in Korea and my first Buddhist temple in my life.
I walked around in the garden looking at the flowers and buildings. There was something in Korean and English that explained the history of the temple complex. All I remember is that it was founded in the 19th century and that the residents are nuns.
After the stroll in the garden, I found the actual temple. I placed my loafers on the shoe rack and quietly entered. As I entered, I touched the threshold with my right hand and then touched my forehead and chest with the same hand. Inside was the fragrance of good incense that had been burned. In a prominent setting was a Buddha statue with two bodhisattvas (perhaps that’s what they were) on either side. With palms together, I made my pranāms. Then, I sat down and attempted to meditate. At first it was difficult because I was nervous due to being there for the first time. After a few minutes, I started to feel still. Overall, I spent 15–20 minutes meditating. About 15 minutes before closing time, I got up and left. I was the only person there, it seemed.
My overall experience at the temple complex was very nice. I’m considering going there once a week now.
They are quiet, serene places.
We're so lucky that within the dharmic faiths, we welcome each other in that way, and nobody really feels that our of place.
We get a few Buddhist and Sikhs dropping by our temple just to sit, or make the rounds of the shrines.
I hope you do find time for that few minutes of solace in a stressed life.
That sounds like a beautiful experience.![]()
I hadn't realized there was so much hostility between South Korea and Thailand.Tonight, one of my students, of middle school age, who I haven’t seen in about a month returned to class. When I asked him where he has been, he answered that he was in Thailand. Then, I asked him if he liked that country. He said, ‘There is a major problem in Thailand.’ Concerned, I asked, ‘What is going on there?’ His answer: ‘There are transgender there.’ Later, he told me that he went there on a mission. This sort of mindset, from what I understand, is popular in Korea. One time, I received in the mail a pamphlet from an institution whose name translated as ‘National Coalition Against Homosexuality.’ The pamphlet talked about the ‘problem’ of transpeople in the West and that it could appear in Korea unless Koreans vote ‘No’ on an anti-discrimination proposition. Anyway, it’s amazing that some Koreans think transpeople in Thailand are a ‘problem’ there while so many Koreans despise Thai people for being of darker skin and having lower incomes. Why the hell then should they be so concerned about transgendered Thai people?
I hadn't realized there was so much hostility between South Korea and Thailand.