Lifestyle - The Korea Times

(104) The Last Airbender and five elements of ancient Chinese philosophy

By Janet Shin I recently went to see the film ``The Last Airbender’’ in theaters. Prior, I had seen a trailer that showed it was a story about elemental nations at war and an ``avatar’’ who can control each of the four elements (water, earth, air and fire), which caught my attention and incited a comparison with the five elements of Eastern philosophy. It is obvious that the original story for the film was based on ancient Greek philosophy. Empedocles, a pre-Socratic philosopher (490-430B.C.), established the four elements to constitute all the structures in the world ― water, earth, air and fire. Although there are many discrepancies between Eastern and Western concepts of the universe, it is interesting that there always lie common threads. Needless to say, our ancestors (whether Western or Eastern), wondered what comprised the universe and how. In an effort to explain the phenomena without reference to mythology, they found answers from within nature and its substances. First, Thales started from water. In Eastern philosophy, there is also an underlying thesis that

Aug 26, 2010

Balu-gongyang: Korean monastic temple-meals

By David A. Mason Buddhists have always regarded eating as a highly important religious act, nourishing the body properly so that development of the mind might continue to progress smoothly. What one eats and how one eats it are very significant, and ought to be approached with a conscious seriousness and sincerity. Further, our daily meals are recurring opportunities for expanding and deepening our awareness, as a type of meditation in themselves. “Balu-gongyang” is the name for the traditional and formal communal meal practice unique to Korean Buddhist temples, using four bowls of different sizes and not wasting even a speck of food. Monks themselves do not eat this way at every meal, as some are taken more informally, but generally practice it in ceremonial situations and during seasonal intensive meditation sessions. This way-of-eating has, over many centuries, become an integral feature of the seon practices of the Jogye Order, and these days it is an important component of the templestay programs operated at many of the great monasteries across this nation. The f

Aug 26, 2010

Doctor promotes vaccination against cervical cancer

By Bae Ji-sook Many women regularly look into mirrors, perhaps several times a day, to see if they look fine, pretty and most of all, healthy. However, not so many take a real effort in taking care of their reproductive organs such as uterus, ovaries and others, vaguely assuming their youth would keep them healthy. However, the reality is harsh. The number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2007 marked 3,616, according to the National Cancer Center. Though the figure has dropped _ it marked 4,443 in 1999_ the number still comes as a shock to people who firmly believe cervical cancer is for women from “underdeveloped countries.” Moreover, some reports suggest that the number of women less than 35 years old detected with adenocarcinoma, a very primary stage of cervical cancer, has nearly doubled in the past decade. Doctors warn that cervical cancer can be damaging to both body and soul. Many of the patients get their uterus removed when diagnosed with such cancer, which leaves them with an immense sense of loss and pain. “The uterus represents femininity, whic

Aug 22, 2010

Inaugural int’l seminar sheds light on Ganhwa Seon

By Han Sang-hee Korean Buddhism has made progress by leaps and bounds in promoting the religion to the general public through various culturally accessible projects including templestays and the annual lotus lantern festival. Yet when it comes to popularizing its methodology, it might as well have been limping along the away. Compared to methods based on Japanese Zen and Chinese Chan, those rooted in Korean Seon remain little known outside of Korea, despite its rich history and unique interesting contents. To overcome this lack of awareness, a recent international seminar took place to attract public attention to the ancient methods of Seon. Dongguk University held the 1st International Conference on Ganhwa Seon, the primary Seon method in Korea, on Aug. 12, inviting noted scholars, including Robert Sharf, distinguished professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of California, Berkeley; James Robson, associate professor at the department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University; Great Master Jinje, member of the Council of Elders, Jogye Order o

Aug 20, 2010

(103) Yu Gwan-sun: Patriotism comes from Water energy

By Janet Shin Korean patriot Yu Gwan-sun, who organized the March 1st movement against Japanese colonial rule, was just a high school student in 1919. After being imprisoned by Japanese police, she continued to protest for Korean independence until she died while being tortured in 1920. Yu lived a short but fierce life. According to records, her deep faith in God and education at a Methodist school, gave her courage to do the right thing and abide by her faith, despite fear and social pressure. Now it is 2010, 100 years since Japan’s forced annexation of Korea in 1910. Up until Korea declared independence on Aug. 15, 1945, there were several intellectual and physical movements for freedom. The March 1st movement in 1919 is included among these, but it also signified the uprising of an entire nation. As a high school student during the colonial period, Yu chose the toughest path in becoming a patriot, and even had to anticipate the prospect of death for her bold actions. Let’s review her saju. Yu was born with a yin water day master in the month of water. Overall,

Aug 19, 2010

Gasa: letting go of our possessions

By Chun Ock-bae ``Gasa’’ is a translateration of a Sanskrit term meaning monk's robe; the monk's or nun's robe is made from scraps of material. The Sanskrit term denotes decayed, impure (in color), dyed, not of primary color, so as to distinguish it from the normal white dress of the people. A gasa is an official robe, which monks wear like a mantle on top of the ``jangsam,’’ the outer garment. It is, in fact, patchwork clothing, and dyed with miscellaneous colors, other than the five primary colors _ blue, yellow, red, white and black. It is supposed to be made out of several pieces of material. The gasa of the Buddha’s, in particular, is called the ``geumnan-gasa,’’ made of golden thread, which came down as evidence of enlightenment transmission, along with alms bowls in the Seon school. There are a few more names for the robe symbolically, including an immaculate robe, a dustless robe and a meritorious robe. Korean monks cut a distinctive figure, with shaved heads, baggy gray clothes, and grey cloth knapsacks. Korean monks wear a traditional outer jacket with wide sle

Aug 19, 2010

Turtle Marathon to be held Sunday

Enjoy the cool breeze and early morning sunshine at the 397th Turtle Marathon this Sunday. It will be a great opportunity for those who want to take a refreshing walk through Mt. Nam with friends and family. Kang Seung-kyu, president of the Korea Baseball Association, will lead this month's event, alongside the 2010 Miss Korea titleholder and runners-up as well as the contestants of Mr. World Korea 2009. Organized by The Korea Times' sister company, the Hankook Ilbo, the Turtle Marathon has been held once a month since 1978. Unlike a typical marathon, the event allows participants to walk slowly, taking in the fresh air and natural surroundings. After the walk, comedian Lee Sang-yong will host a closing show. All participants will be given beverages from Nongshim and Choco Pies from Orion. There will also be a raffle event for prizes such as bicycles (Incheon Golden Sky Resort), health beverage Damina 909 (Grammy), cosmetics (Logona Korea), meal coupons (The Buffet), earrings (Mucha Jewelry), movie tickets (Interpark), toilet paper (Mona Lisa) and kitchen goods. Certific

Aug 13, 2010

(102) Seo Jae-pil, a Korean intellectual and activist

The late Seo Jae-pilBy Janet Shin Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan apologized this week for Japan’s colonial rule of Korea on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the country’s annexation in 1910. The deep regret and pain suffered by the Korean people was expressed through the resistance movements that occurred during the period. While some have led to physical altercations, such as the March First Independence Movement, there was also spiritual guidance as initiated by select Korean intellectuals. We are to review the life of a certain Korean, who tried to educate people and enlighten them with an emphasis on national independence. There is a statue of Seo Jae-pil at Seoul’s Dongnimmun Independence Gate, which was designed by him and inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Seo Jae-pil, born in 1864, was infused with modern political ideas when he was a teenager, at a time when Korea was being reformed from feudalism to modernization on the one hand, and being threatened by external powers on the other. He became a member of an enlightenment group and stu

Aug 12, 2010

Sanshin-gak: Mountain-spirit venerated in Korean temples

By David Mason Throughout Korean history, the residents of this mountainous peninsula have believed that the peaks and slopes are spiritually alive and religiously significant, inhabited by or manifesting ``Sanshin,’’ which literally means ``Mountain-spirit(s).’’ They have long been the main protective spirits of most villages and towns, and collectively the guardian of the Korean nation as a whole. Since ancient times Korean kings have funded great ceremonies at grand altars as symbols of their legitimacy, while the common folk prayed for good weather, bountiful crops, healthy children and protection from ill-fortune at their small village or temple shrines. When I first visited a Korean Buddhist temple almost three decades ago, I was amazed to find a shrine for this spirit prominently located within the temple, behind and above the main Buddha Hall – this location showing the high respect given to this indigenous deity. It was clearly not a Buddhist icon, but rather Shamanic and Daoist in origin and with strong Confucian motifs, and also a few recognizable Buddhis

Aug 12, 2010

Secrets to living long and healthy

Yoo Youk-jinBy Yoo Youk-jin Everyone wishes to live long and healthy. It would be idealistic if one could maximize longevity without sacrificing performance until the day of his or her death. Many people fear that their last years of life may be in anguish and pain from disease and dysfunction. From centuries past, people have yearned for the pill of health or the fountain of youth, yet the reality is that there is no such medication or magical potion. In today’s article I wish to talk about general methods of how to live long and healthy, with methods that have been scientifically proven to increase both longevity of life and to improve performance. I am sure that some of the methods I mention in today’s article along with regular medical check-ups can go a long way in helping you maintain good health.. Exercise regularly There are some interesting stories in Korea about a servant who ran around to find a medical herb that could grant eternal life to the king and in the process lived longer than the king, and about a person who delivered milk everyday living longer

Aug 8, 2010

Others

Others

(104) The Last Airbender and five elements of ancient Chinese philosophy

Balu-gongyang: Korean monastic temple-meals

Doctor promotes vaccination against cervical cancer

Inaugural int’l seminar sheds light on Ganhwa Seon

(103) Yu Gwan-sun: Patriotism comes from Water energy

Gasa: letting go of our possessions

Turtle Marathon to be held Sunday

(102) Seo Jae-pil, a Korean intellectual and activist

Sanshin-gak: Mountain-spirit venerated in Korean temples

Secrets to living long and healthy

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