International Day of Peace 2015

On Saturday, May 9, members of Soshimsa Zen Center traveled through weather that was misty and just a bit chilly to the 2015 International Peace Day Celebration at the New Jersey Buddhist Society Vihara and Meditation Center in Princeton, which was established in 2003.

The event was sponsored by a host of civic and faith organizations including, but not limited to, the Rotary Clubs of Branchburg and Plainsboro, the Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition, and Friends Of Nepal New Jersey (FONNJ).

As the event began, the attendees were welcomed; there was a moment of silence for the victims of the recent earthquake in Nepal, followed by brief proclamations from local political authorities.

Sunims Myong-Ahn and Duhk-Song led the attendees in a walking meditation along an asphalt path through the shady, wooded grounds, circling an imposing 28-foot statue of the Buddha in samadhi meditation posture.

As the weather gradually turned clear and semi-tropical, there were peace songs by the serene voice of singer-songwriter Ingrid Heldt, a guided meditation by the Art of Living Foundation Group, then orations and prayers by representatives of many faiths and peace alliances, including both sunims, and finally the World Flag Ceremony.

A generous luncheon, featuring a wide selection of sumptuous Nepalese dishes, was graciously provided. Many compliments were freely offered acclaiming its deliciousness.

Brazil Charter for So Shim Sa Fellowship presented to Dinair Santana

Dinair Santana recieved a charter and will be the President of the Brazil Chapter of the So Shim Sa Buddhist Fellowship. Andrea Prados will be the treasurer for this first international chapter. Dinair has been studying Buddhism under Ven. Myong Ahn Sunim for 7 years and has completed the Chapter President Course. We look forward to supporting her in this expansion and watching our Sangha grow.

Headwaters of Social Issues

Many people work in different ways towards resolving issues surrounding civil rights, racism, LGBTQ+ issues, violence, pollution, etc.. How does the Zen Center address these issues? It happens that there are many, many lakes which are polluted. Many are poisoned, making them either unsuitable or impossible for life to continue to exist in them. Many inhabitants of the lakes are sick and struggling because the waters are polluted or poisoned. The task of providing a healthy environment for the life of these lakes seems nearly impossible. We cannot seem to remedy the situation quickly enough. These polluted waters further flow into the one great ocean and it, too, becomes polluted. The way we, at the Zen Center, approach the hardships and suffering of the lakes—and ultimately the one great ocean—is by making sure the sources of water are pure. We address pollution by addressing the source. The source waters of the problems facing the LGBTQ+ community, social justice, women’s rights, raci

On Patience

Patience (In-yeok인욕(忍辱) - Patience is not only enduring but also forgiveness without resentment. To cut off anger at an entry point, at one’s own mind. To cut down anger itself, not the person or the thing outside oneself. But we are to be patient not only towards anger. We must be patient towards gain, growth, collapse, loss, honor, glory, praise, mockery, ridicule, slander, blame, hardship, difficulty, joy, pleasure, pain, discomfort…. To be patient is to deal with suffering, physical and mental, and to overcome it well and with grace. Of patience, there are 2 main kinds: Beop-In (법인) is Patience towards Nature, and Seng-In (생인) is Patience towards People. Patience towards Nature (Beop-In법인)- This means being patient towards and enduring climate, weather changes, and natural disasters. Do you grow angry when your beach day is ruined by a storm? When your walk is cut short by rain? Who do you blame when a blow-down branch falls on your car? Patience towards People (Seng-In생인)- This m

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