It's All Down Hill From Here

Ugh.  I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted.  Those of you who check in regularly know that I'm super busy, though, so I hope you don't mind.

I'm looking for my replacement here at work now (the next Residential Life Coordinator).  I'm also preparing things for the summer conferences and immersion groups the school hosts, though I won't be here to participate.  My last day of work is May 30th. I fly back to Illinois on June 2nd and then take off for South Korea around June 21st.  My friend Shakya may come with me to Illinois for about a week--we'll go to Chicago and have a good time before saying goodbye.

School is going fairly well.  I'm a little more than halfway done with the first draft of my master's thesis on missionary activity in modern Korean Buddhism.  What I've learned through this process of researching and writing will be quite useful to me in Korea.  As part of that research, I've begun doing interviews with some local Korean clergy.  A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed a priest of the Taego order--another Zen order in Korea, and I'm planning the second of two interviews with a priest of the Jingak order who is a student here.  I still have interviews for two other orders of Korean Buddhism to arrange.  As far as I can tell, nothing has been written about either the Taego or Jingak orders in English aside from brief references to their existence, so I'm really happy to have the opportunity to research those orders.  Mostly I have to admit that I'm happy I'm so far along with the paper.  It's all down hill from here.

I've been wanting to do a tour of some of the Korean temples in the area.  If I can I'll take pictures and post them here.

Comments

[EdaMommy]

Sounds like you're in a great place right now! I am vicariously tickled for you! ^_^

I look forward to going back to school, one of these days - one of the most interesting and exciting parts of academia (to me) is the opportunity to offer new perspectives and information - as you are by writing about the Taego or Jingak orders in English. (TeeHee - can you tell I have a degree in anthropology?)

[Mary]

Hi,
I have never written on one of these chat sort of things before but i stumbled upon your site and found it very entertaining. I have a monk friend in a similar situation and and I wish you all the best in your studies, travels and quest for enlightenment. I am a Bhuddist student, Gelug tradition but I also study other schools teachings. My teachers are Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Yangsi Rinpoche. Have you heard of the Maitripa Institute of Buddhist studies in Portland Oregon? Amazing new school with vision. Best to you!

[Rinchen Gyatso]

Edamommy and Mary:

Thanks for dropping by. Glad you enjoy the blog, even though my postings have been a bit sparce lately.

I have heard of the Maitripa Institute and hope it's development continues. The more opportunities to study the Dharma the better!

Once I get to S. Korea I'll post more pictures and will surely have far more interesting things to write about than my schoolwork.