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[Christian]

"Korean Buddhist Leaders Appeal for Symbiosis"

Nowhere I read the word "Awakening" or "Enlightenment"!

It is all about "interconnection with Nature and others", about wealth versus happiness, or "everything is interconnected and exists according to the principles of the universe", "symbiosis" and so on.

Since when Buddhist leaders talk like New Age sect gurus?

Korean Buddhism is in such a pitiful condition, it makes me mad.

Gyatso, I will be off to France 23rd June, but I hope we can meet after my return, one month later.

[Plus, calling Koreans to not desire sleep sounds like a joke, as people already barely sleep in this country!]

[Rinchen Gyatso]

I haven't read that one, but it seems to me that talking about interdependence is entirely in line with the Dharma. In my experience, not everyone wants to talk about "Enlightenment" with a capital "E." It can seem like it's too much, too big a subject to grasp. So people need to start where they are.

I bet if you were living in India or Nepal and saw the Tibetan tradition up close, you'd see a lot you didn't like there as well--wasted donations, sectarian jealousy, tulkus behaving badly, power struggles...the list goes on. But you find that in any tradition. People are imperfect and so if people are involved in something it will be imperfect. The important thing is to look for the gold in the mud.

[Christian]

I realise now that I should have developped a thought instead of making terse statements.

I cannot say anything about Tibetan clergy, since I know very little about it.

My issue with the official statement in the article is that it sounds very much like New Age slogans. You may think that this is a problem with New Age cults, not with Korean clergy. You may be right, but I still think that Buddhism should be clearly distinguished from any other religious or ideological discourse, if it wants to prosper instead of declining.

By "interdependence", do you mean "pat.icca sam-uppaada" (pal.), as presented in the Mahaa-nidaana-sutta (in Diigha-nikaaya)?

I think that the clerics were making a reference to the Avatamsaka Sutra, which is very popular in Korea, especially to the Net of Indra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_philosophy#Interpenetration).

I doubt that this concept entails ecology as in the sentence "Humans and nature should maintain a cause and effect relationship." This sentence, in a scientific context, makes sense. But inside the Buddhist discourse, what is the point? And if it is karma which is suggested by "cause and effect", I believe that this is a wrong interpretation, as one sutta mentions that meteorology, biology and a few other components of the universe are not bound bby karma. I can find the reference if you wish.

The Buddha was primarily concerned with the mind, not nature as an abstraction; moreover, ecology is a Western and very modern concept.

I have no doubt that these clerics had at heart to draw attention to pervasive problems in Korean society (pollution, craving for riches, pride), but that is not the main point of Buddhism (this could be an atheist message), in particular on the Anniversary of the Buddha.

Even the Pope at Easter manages to mention Jesus-Christ and explains the meaning of his death!

Why not propose the goal to reach Awakening to the laity? What not explain the meaning of the birth and death of Buddha? (Since both are commemorated that day.)

Korean clerics should incite the laity to practice meditation, follow ethical conduct and study the scriptures.

Don't you think?

[ami]

Hi, interdefendence is the integral part of mahayana buddhism. Korean buddhism belongs to mahayana tradition. It's not surprising.

[ami]

Christian,
You can see Korean clerics who has the goal to get enlightened at seouldharmagroup.