Taego and IBS retreat of Western region (Los Angeles, CA).

Taego Monk Training and Ordination Ceremony (행자교육)

한국불교태고종행자교육, 35기득도식, 선암사
This is video from a Korean TV station showing the novice monk training and ordination ceremony that took place earlier this week. Muddy Water Zen's Bup Chon Sunim has an English interview near the end of the video starting at the 8:59 mark.

Note: If video doesn't play click on the box to watch on host site.

Taego Ordination (Congratulations Bup Chon Sunim)

Ven. Bishop Jongmae has confirmed through the president of the Taego order that the Samanera and Sameneri ordination of 104 new monks (both male and female) has been completed in Korea this morning. Congratulations to Brent Eastman on being ordained as Bup Chon Sunim! This Sunday, Muddy Water Zen will hold a special service to introduce Bup Chon Sunim as the newest clergy member of Muddy Water Zen and gather in a celebratory vegetarian potluck after the morning service. Please join us if you can.

Religion in Contemporary Korea

On August 10, 2010, Dr. John Goulde, professor of religion and director of the Asian Studies Program at Sweet Briar College, spoke at The Korea Society to middle- and high-school teachers as part of the New York City Department of Education’s After School Professional Development Program. Dr. Goulde specializes in the sociology, religion, and culture of North and South Korea. He received a bachelor’s degree from Seoul National University and completed his graduate work at Harvard University. In this second of two lectures, Dr. Goulde addresses religion in contemporary Korea.

Listen Here

A "Shelter" for Dharma Awakening in Korea

Rapid socio-economic growth of South Korea has brought an unwelcome side effect that threatens to undermine its own cultural heritage as well as moral standards.

Worse yet, fierce - if not fanatical Christian evangelical onslaughts - have jeopardized the history and value systems of Korea, whose culture and way of life have harmoniously interlaced with Buddhism since its introduction in the year of 372 AD.

Under the seizure of bellicose evangelism, Buddhism in Korea has been painted as a misguided, superstitious cult, while Buddhists are openly abused as 'demons worshippers'. In some cases, physical and criminal assault were reported, such as temple-burning, insults openly hurled at Buddha images or statutes etc.

Continue reading story from Zen Mirror

Taego novice monk trainees at Sonamsa in Korea

영산제 (Young-San-Je) in Los Angles in 2011

Video Ven. Bishop Jongmae posted earlier today on Facebook of Young-San-Je...Young-San-Je (영산제) usually takes 8 to 10 hours to complete the ritual. Yet in the old days, Young-San-Je took 2 full days to complete.

Taego order overseas parish officially invites Young-San-Je performers from Taego order Korea.
Bishop Dr. Jongmae Park and Venerable Bo Kwang will be the host of its performing which will take place
in Los Angles in the summer of next year (2011). Young-San-Je is world treasure that protect by UNESCO
(United Nations) and it is over thousand years of traditional ritual which is held by Korean Buddhist Taego order.
Venerable Il-Woon (who is a national living treasure of Young-Sa-Je ritual) will leads all performers from
Korea and mostly stay in greater Los Angeles area during the event.

MWZ/IBS Fall Retreat

A (very) short slideshow of Muddy Water Zen/IBS Fall Retreat which took place in Saugatuck, MI this past weekend.