On Oct 7, 2015, the second annual Union County Day of Prayer was held at the First United Methodist Church in Westfield. This year's theme was "Praying for peace in the midst of violence". The Day of Prayer is an interfaith gathering of faith-based, nonprofit and government communities intended to unite people from throughout the county. In addition, it is intended to promote awareness of the support services that are available to adults with disabilities as well as to youth served under the Department of Children and Families. Faith leaders led prayers for unity and social justice and for the support of youth, senior citizens and elected officials. The Venerable Duk-song Sunim of So Shim Sa Zen center in Plainfield was among those who addressed the audience with a prayer. "The Buddhist teachings are based on kindness and love of all living creatures. The Buddhist view is we are all part of the larger community", he was later quoted as saying. The
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On Sunday, July 12, members of Soshima Zen Center assembled to celebrate the sixth anniversary of Its founding. The Abbess, Ven. Ji-Hyon Sunim of Kwan Um Sa and her sangha were also present for the occasion. Women of the Center once again donned traditional Korean dress called Han-Bok to facilitate the presentation of the Six Offerings (Yook Gong-Yang). Four Soshimsa Zen members were presented with their Dharma names. Five members spoke; some related their personal experience with the Center, and Ven. Duhk-Song Sunim recounted a bit of the history. There was a musical performance of “My Own Two Hands”* with instrumental accompaniment by Robert Davey on piano and Rafael Rios on ukulele and vocal participation by the Lotus Buds children. The Abbot of Soshimsa Zen Center, Ven. Myong-Ahn Sunim officially opened the 1000-day Kwan Um Prayer for the health and prosperity of the collective Soshimsa sangha family and with hopes of Soshimsa coming to own its own facilities
On Monday, June 22 nd Soshima Zen Center presented “Life, Death, Bardo, Next... a Meditative Journey Cloaked in Music”, a dramatic representation of the universal human journey as reflected in Mahayana Buddhist teachings. Attendees entered a darkened room to encounter a circle of cushions surrounded by a ring of electric candles. As they lay supine in the silent hall, the reverberation of the meditation bell signaled the beginning of the journey. Then, a dramatic narration began, accompanied by musical selections chosen to inspire the listener to imagine each stage of the process. The narrative told the story of a person transitioning from living mundane everyday life, unmindful of death, through sudden diagnosis of serious illness, struggle with disease, gradual acceptance of death, passing away of the body, the migration of the spirit, wandering in the bardo, liberation from the wheel of samsara, and the attainment of the Bodhisattva ideal. The conclusion of the prog
On Sunday, May 24, members of Soshima Zen Center assembled to honor the anniversary of the birth of the Buddha, said to be in the area of modern-day Nepal or India about 2,500 years ago. The service included the Six Offerings (Yook Gong-Yang), corresponding to the Six Perfections (Yook Baramil). Each offering was led by a woman of the Center wearing traditional Korean dress called Han-Bok. The offering of fruit included a mandala of blueberries, strawberries, grapes and oranges that had been created by the children. The Lotus Buds, or youngsters, sang a happy birthday to the Buddha. Afterwards, the congregation walked in a circular procession, pausing to bathe the statue of the Buddha as a baby, and reciting the name of the Buddha. Following the service, a repast of a variety of food was available, as colorful and diverse as is the Soshimsa Sangha.
On Tuesday, May 19, the Ven. Myong-Ahn Sunim, abbot of Soshima Zen Center, delivered the presentation “Happiness Here and Now” at the South Plainfield Public Library in the township of that name. The discourse, which began at 7 pm and lasted for about 75 minutes, was introduced by SZC Secretary General Aimee Goyette and about ten people were in attendance. Ven. Myong-Ahn Sunim articulated on numerous topics, alternating serious points with humorous asides. He expounded on the nature of suffering, on the universal drive of sentient beings for happiness; about the cycle of wanting what is perceived as pleasant and of not wanting what is unpleasant, about opposites being aspects of the same thing, about the crucial role of the mind in defining these terms; about the pitfalls of emotional extremes; and about the importance of taking specific individual action - with diligence - to escape this seemingly endless “treadmill” of gratification and avoidance. During the address,
On Monday, May 18, a dozen or so secondary-school-age students from nearby Wardlaw-Hartridge School, a PreK-12 college preparatory academy in Edison, NJ, arrived at Soshima Zen Center to participate in a Day of Community Service. After pulling on work gloves, they industriously applied themselves to the tasks of beautifying the grounds around the center, refreshing the interior, and setting out flowering bulbs and perennials in the planter located at the entrance to the center. The students were joined by some SZC members. Robert Davey, Mi-Kyung Park and her daughter Yae-jin contributed to the cleanup portion of the day. An anonymous SZC member donated a selection of flowers and shrubs for the planter, just in time for the Buddha's Birthday Celebration to take place on Sunday, May 24.
On Sunday, May 17 the Ven. Myong-Ahn, Duhk-Song, Mooh-Sang Sunim, and members of Soshima Zen Center traveled from New Jersey to the Buddha Birthday Celebration at Baek Lim Sa (White Forest Zen Monastery) in Summitville, New York. Baek Lim Sa was founded by Zen Master and Abbot Ven. Gae San Hye-Seon Sunim in 1979 and is intimately associated with Soshimsa Zen Center. Ven. Il-Cho Dosanim (Shim Hyok-Kun) was instrumental in the development of Baek Lim Sa and all three SZC Sunims trained there, to varying degrees. Traveling north, the dense suburban sprawl of central New Jersey gradually changes to the lush, green hills and rural townships and villages of upstate New York. Nearing our destination, we left behind the world of the mundane and everyday, ascending a road to the summit of an unnamed mountain to reach the 180-acre monastery. A bright sun in a clear blue sky illuminated magnificent statues of Buddha in meditation and sleeping lion's posture, and the mountain
On Monday May 11, Soshimsa abbot the Venerable Myong-Ahn Sunim offered the Korean tea ceremony workshop at the Soshimsa Zen Center in Plainfield, NJ. In a light yet serious atmosphere, accompanied by soothing Korean flute music, attendees had the opportunity to, first, view a demonstration of the ceremony with commentary by V. Myong-Ahn Sunim. Then, using their own (SZC provided) utensils, attendees attempted to reproduce the graceful ordered motions pf preparing and pouring in a “dry run” before actually making tea. A helpful “cheat sheet” was provided as an additional guide. Throughout the seminar, education was given on many aspects of tea preparation; history, fable, water sources, heating of water, utensil type, grip, pouring technique, and timing of movements were some. Then, body and spirit were united as each attendee added purified water to cha (second flush green tea, hand-harvested from the slopes of volcanic Jeju Island off the coast of South
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
On Tuesday April 28 th , the South Plainfield Public Library was transformed into a tranquil setting and the backdrop for a traditional Korean Zen Buddhist tea ceremony. Ven. Myong Ahn Sunim spoke on the history of tea and how it is cultivated and has evolved over centuries in the Korean culture. He also performed a traditional tea ceremony to demonstrate how the simple act of mindfulness can transform each and every moment and action in an ordinary day into something extraordinary and bursting with life. Participants were able to sample tea from the beautiful JeJu Island in South Korea and were invited to participate in a tea workshop at So Shim Sa to deepen their experience.
On Thursday January 22 nd Ven Myong Ahn Sunim provided a lecture at the South Plainfield Public Library about meditation from the Zen Buddhist perspective. The talk focused on how our thoughts influence our daily experience and how meditation can help us restore the balance between our mind, body and spirit. Ven Myong Ahn’s thoughtful stories helped illustrate how each individual already holds the power within to lead peaceful, happy lives. Bob Davey was also on hand, and helped answer the audience’s questions about his own experience with meditation.
Ven. Duhk-Song Sunim accompanied by Buhk-Chon Rodriguez represented Soshimsa Zen Center at the 13th Annual Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner and Diversity Awards Ceremony on November 22, 2014. Ven. Duhk-Song led those gathered in a Mealtime Prayer, along with a representative prayers offered by respected representatives of the Bahai, Christian, Hinduism, Islamic, Jain Naitive American and Sikh traditions. The event, organized by Dr. Tulsi Maharjan, was a wonderful gathering of hearts set on an unified goal of respect for all traditions, ours as well as those of others.
On Dec 17, 2013 Wilkes University's Hindu Spirituality Club visited Soshimsa, for a presentation on Methods of Alleviating Stress according to Buddhist Philosophy. The club braved the snow to get to the Zen Center, from their Pennsylvania home. The students, enjoyed the interwoven aspect of philosophy, Buddhism and the intimate knowledge of self-understanding and how the mind, body and spirit can be used to alleviate stress in today's fast paced society. The group was introduced to the basics of meditation practice as well as a 10 minute self-administered revitalizing acupressure routine. The visit concluded with a wonderful Q & A session, where the students voiced some of their concerns about application of spiritual ideals in the daily college life. The session ended with tea before the group embarked on their home bound journey. We hope to meet again.
On June 23, 2013 Soshimsa Zen Center celebrated its 4 Year Anniversary. Although with the new location it felt a bit like a Grand Opening. As usual we had a video collage of the past events, presentations and speeches by Ven. Myong-Ahn, Mooh-Sang and Duhk-Song Sunim as well as Mrs. Kelley Shim-Choi and Prof. Tracey Shors. We talked about our future plans and the work that Soshimsa Fellowship is doing at Rutgers University. Dr. Shors, who heads our meditation research study spoke of the impact of the Fellowship's and Soshimsa's work on the lives of students as well as the women at the battered women's center where Dr. Shors teaches meditation as part of the research. Ven. Duhk-Song, who serves as the Director of the 1000 Hands Outreach, had words of encouragement for the current participants of our Volunteer Program. He also congratulated past recipients of the President's Volunteer Award of which Soshimsa is a Certifying Organization ( www.presidentialserviceawards
On June 15, 2013 we took a late season-opening hiking trip to Lord Stirling Park. After an onslaught of rain over the past few days certain areas of the swamp overflowed and regions of the boardwalk were closed off. However, we managed just fine and even found lovely area for meditation (see picture on left) . It was a gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine, bird songs, and luscious greenery invigorated by the latest rains. We all took a piece of the vast, unbounded, limitless sky with us for those rainy and gloomy days we all have now and then (see picture on right) . This was an overall good hike to break us in for whats to come. Hope to see you all you nature lovers out next month. July's Toughing Earth is planning to be a kayaking trip down in Princeton.
On Sunday, May 18 Soshimsa Zen Center held its first ceremony since the long journey of finding and renovating its new location at 1112 North Avenue in Plainfield NJ. It was truly a pleasure seeing familiar faces and the ceremony became one of celebrating new beginnings (for the fish, for all those graduating school and for the new Soshimsa location) as well as the old friendships. Thank you all for attending and thank you all who mailed in their prayers and best wishes.
On April 16, 2013, Soshimsa Zen Center was once again invited to Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center to give a presentation. The presentation was entitled Spirituality and Culture from the Korean Zen Tradition. There was a wonderful exchange of questions and answers and plans were made for more future collaborations between Richard Hall and the Zen Center.
On Monday March 25 2013, Soshimsa Zen Center was once again invited to Drew University to do a presentation. The Zen Center and Drew University A.S.I.A. Club have had a collaborative relationship since 2011 when the Zen Center was invited to give a presentation on the tradition of Tea Ceremony. The March 25th presentation took place immediately following the Drew finals and was intended to equip the students with simple stress relief techniques anyone can use. Diaphragmatic breathing meditation and self-administered "10 Minute Revitalizing Routine" were very popular with the students.
Soshimsa Fellowship RUTGERS UNIVERSITY CHAPTER Schedule Change Effective November 6, 2012 Due to some logistical complications related to our ongoing meditation research study the Tuesday Meditation Classes will be suspended until further notice. If you are interested in scheduling a workshop or a lecture we will still be actively operating on campus. However the current classes will only be open to the participants of the study. TO SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP, LECTURE OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US AT: INFO@SOSHIMSAFELLOWSHIP.ORG INFO@SOSHIMSA.ORG or 908 377-9803
Rutgers University Chapter and NYC Chapter of the So Shim Sa Fellowship are launching the new semester of Meditation classes. Beginning Sep. 13, 2012 the NYC Chapter will hold classes every Thursday 4:15-5:15PM at the Sacred Sound Yoga Studio in New York City ( NYC Chapter Web page ). The Rutgers Chapter classes will begin on Sep. 25, 2012 and are to be held every Tuesday 6:30-7:30PM at the Cook Campus Center in room 202B. ( Rutgers Univ. Chapter Web page ). The Rutgers Chapter is considering more programs and activities such as monthly on-campus Sunday Service and volunteer opportunities for students. We will also continue to push forwards with our meditation research study.