A Monk from the

Silleuksa Temple

 

Bo Sung Seunim shares his thoughts on Buddhism.

Vocabulary

temple	state (2)	tantra/tantric
monk	race (2)	interracial marriage
globe	discipline	globalization
worry	respect	generation
inner	tranquility	knowledge
vow	future	read your mind
bright	introduce	enlightenment

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Video

 
 
 
 

Transcript

My name is Bo Sung Seunim. I’m 45 years old and live in the Silleuksa temple.

What do you do for a living?

I teach people about Buddhism and how to reach a tantric state. I am not paid anything.

What does globalization mean to you?

As a Buddhist monk in this temple, I know in this area there have been some interracial marriages.

A few men have married women from other countiries. And from these marriages come the next generation. And I think this is part of globalization. That is how the world becomes one.

What worries you?

A life without self-knowledge.

What makes you happy?

When I became a Buddhist, it opened my eyes to a new world. I feel much happiness in my inner tranquility and in my self discipline.

It is so difficult to displine myself. But once I come to know the way, it is very easy and I can respect myself. And I can read my mind to. I can control my mind. That makes me very happy.

What do you expect for your future?

My future is very bright. Because someday I will get enlightment. I will be a Buddha. And I will introduce people to Buddha’s vows. My future is so bright in every way.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

Questions

1. Who is this person? What’s his name?

2. Is he a farmer?

3. He earns a lot of money. True or false?

4. What example does Bo Sung Seunim give regarding globalization?

5. Is learning and study important to him? What worries him?

6. Material goods makes him happy. Is this right or wrong?

7. Is he optimistic or pessimistic? How does he see his future?

 
 
A. There are many houses of worship (temples, churches) in my city. Yes or no?

B. Are there international/inter-racial/mixed marriages in your town?

C. Do you live in South Korea? Are you from South Korea? Have you ever been to Korea?

D. Have you met people from Korea? Who were they? What were they doing?

E. Describe the climate and geography of Korea.

F. Describe the economy of Korea. What does it import and export?

G. What problems or challenges does Korea have?

H. What is Korean food like? Describe Korean cuisine.

I. What are some tourist attractions (cultural, historic, natural)?

J. What comes to mind when you think of Korea? What do you associate with Korea?