🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
2023.06.04
🔹Question: Hello, Sunim. It's always a great honor to beable to ask a question. Through your recent Dharma talks in your daily articles, I realized the seriousness of continuously escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula. As you've mentioned numerous times, in the midst of the US and China's global competition, it seems like South Korea is leaning moretowards the US and North Korea towards China, possibly turning the Korean Peninsula into a war zone. Could you elaborate the current situation again for awareness? Also in 2018, when Jungto Peace Foundation led the march opposingWar in Korea, I remember practitioners and citizens all over the world all participated in peace protests in front of the White House. And US citizens across the states sent letters opposing war to the White House and senators in their districts following Sunim's efforts for peace. For now and in the future, is there anything citizens around the world and, particularly, US citizens can act to alleviate the situation at least a little bit? Thank you.
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at Union TheologicalSeminary (Oct. 2, 2014)
🔹Question: If there is anything you would recommend anyof us to do in our lifetimes. If there's one thing you would encourage us todo?
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at Busan City Hall,Busan (June 15, 2019)
🔹Question: Hello, Sunim. I am glad that you safely returned from your trip. Thank you for taking my question. My question is related to a close relative who is the same age as me. We grew up in the same town. So, we were very close to each other when we were children. My relative is very smart and went to a very good university. But, in our later life, my relative has never been diagnosed, but we surmise that my relative probably has high functioning autism. But back in the 1970s when we were children, most people weren't aware of Asperger's disease. So, it went undiagnosed. I guess, as a result of that, my relative has suffered from social anxiety anddepression for a lot of their life. When they graduated from this very good university, they took jobs that would be viewed as underemployed. They took jobs of menial tasks and things that didn't need a college education because they provided them opportunities not to be in socially anxious situations, adata entry clerk or something like that. They did those kind of menial jobs for about 20 years. And then, over a decade ago, my relative was laid off from a job and tried to find other similar jobs for several years, but a lot of those jobs no longer exist. They tried to start a business and borrowed money from my family. At that time, it wasn't a lot of money, but we knew that it was more like a gift. So, my wife and I gave a gift to this family member, not expecting it to ever be repaid even though it was technically borrowed. None of those jobs or opportunities have worked out. So, essentially for the past 10 years, my relative has been cashing in their retirement savings and living off that retirement. I guess that savings will run out soon. I don't mind occasionally helping my family member out. But I'm not in a position where I can support them for the rest of their life. My older relatives, my aunts and uncles and myparents have been suggesting to help this person get a job or to help them figure out ways to reduce their costs that kind of thing. And it has largely been rejected and refused. The relative has not gotten a new job for over a decade as I said. But recently, they started hinting to me that they're goingto start asking my older relatives for financial help. Again, my aunts and uncles and my parents aren't in a situation... They're retired, and they don't have a I just wonder what kind of suggestion you have or, at least, insight into this situation that you could give. Thank you.
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at Union TheologicalSeminary (Oct. 2, 2014)
🔹Question: I developed an issue of procrastination in mygraduate study. It's getting worse if I am facing stress. If I haveassignments. I start doing it on the very last day.I graduated. I'm going to work in research. I'm worried that I'm going to carry this bad habit into my future work. Do you have any suggestions?
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
2023. 09. 09.
🔹Question: I immigrated to the United States when I waslittle and am in my late 30s now. I've somewhat attained my financial goal and recently, sold all my businesses. Right now, I'm in the process of managing my real estate, and helping out inside the house with my family. The problem I've run into is that, because I now have a lot of free time without a 9-to-5 job, I feel like I've become very lazy, in a way. I've told myself that when I quit my business, I'll work out and lose weight, etc. But, instead, I've gained more weight, and I feel ashamed of myself for not being able to do the things that I said I was going to do after I got rid of my business. Anyway, this financialattainment and early retirement were my biggest goals in life. Now that I've somewhat attained that goal, I feel really empty. I don't know what to do with the next phase of my life. And I find myself toying with things that I shouldn't be toying with, things that society tells you not to toy with. What is the best way for me to get the meaning of life back into my life, to fillthat emptiness, and to re-energize my life? That's my question.
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
2017 . 10. 8
🔹Question: Good evening, Venerable Pomnyun Sunim. Myquestion is about meaning. Many of us are searching for meaning because it is a key to happiness and important in its own right. But it's not always easy to keep the focus on finding meaning. Life gets in the way. Everyday we're all busy. Do you have advice on how we can keep a daily focus on searching formeaning?
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
2023. 9. 9
🔹Question: (Questioner) My question is how to practice more skilfully when strong feelings of self-doubt are present And following on other things you've shared how to really let go of those states of suffering.(Sunim) In which areas do you haveyour self doubt? (Questioner) Recently, I felt waves of it coming up and coloring a lot of different areas.So, it colors everything from practical things like...maybe feeling insecure in my capacity in lots of areas in my life ,maybe practical things like what I'm offering the world in my career, in my practice,and as a parent. I feel like it colors a lot of things, and doubt isn't really the hindrance I usually deal with. So, it feels new and I feel vulnerable, and it colors a lot of aspects of my life right now.
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
2023. 9.11
🔹Question: The question that I wanted to ask is this: I feel like I have some emptiness or defect in my mind, and it affects many of the relationships that I’ve had or will have in the future. Is there any way I can overcome this, or how should I deal with it?
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
2023. 09. 22.
🔹Question: My wife is a very big fan of yours. She listens to all your lectures, and when she shares with me, I find almost always agree with your analysis of human situation. My question for you is what in life is fun for you? Considering what I know, monk don’t have sex, drink, smoke, gamble, and eat samguepsal(pork belly, meat) but do simple diet. And,according to my wife, you are not even really interested in art, music, sports, or games. So what is fun in life?
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
2023. 9 .11
🔹Question: Thank you, Sunim. I have a few questions aboutmyself.I wanted to ask your opinion about something. I have a bit of a controversial belief that you can't truly understand someone because if you did, you would agree with them. I believe that you can't truly understand someone's perspective because someone's perspective is made up of their entire life, and you can't experience someone's entire life. Do you agree with that, or do you have thoughts on that?
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
2025. 3. 31.
🔹Question: Thank you very much. I'm truly honored to havethis wonderful chance to ask a question. Here is my question. Through many Dharma talks that have been given by you, Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, I learned that even though theredoes not exist direct cause and effect, for example, if you do good things, the reward will come back eventually, causality exists, which is why we should be kind, merciful, and benevolent to others. However, to me, this doesn't soundlike the concept of giving without expecting anything in return or philanthropic giving without expecting the reward. The most compelling and persuasive reason I found so far is that you should be merciful, do good, and be kind to your neighbor because you will get the immediate reward as soon as you do a good deed. It cleans your mind, cultivates moral sense, and elevates your spirit. And this reward is incomparable to anything in the world. I don't fully accept this argument because it suggests that we do good for ourselves.Wouldn't it be selfish? But the Buddha said, "In the heavens above and the earth beneath, I alone am the honored one." So, probably, it's ok. I would appreciate if you could shed light on this perspective. I'm afraid that this way of thinking may be arrogant because I may reject all other ideas taught bygreat teachers but stick to one reason that I found. So, your teaching will be appreciated.
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
(Selection from a Dharma Q & A at Harvard University(Sep. 20, 2017)
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at Busan City Hall, Busan (June 15, 2019)
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at Union TheologicalSeminary (Oct. 2, 2014)
🔹Question: I developed an issue of procrastination in my graduate study. It's getting worse if I am facing stress. If I have assignments. I start doing it on the very last day. I graduated. I'm going towork in research. I'm worried that I'm going to carry this bad habit into my future work. Do you have any suggestions
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at University ofMichigan (Oct. 26, 2014)
🔹Question: I am fifteen and I like to watch classes of teachers about spirituals like self-empowerment.Whenever I try to, my parents and also their ideas affect how I have to live my life. If you wat to follow your own self like truth and what you feel right for you, how are you supposed to go about it as your parents are on the opposite side of that?
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at Google (Nov. 10,2014)
🔹Question: Hi. One of my favorite modern philosophers said that the three most dangerous human addictions today are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary. His name is Nassim Taleb. He’s Doctor Doom. So my question to you is most of us here have at least two out of those three addictions, definitely the monthly salary. And every day I ask myself the question of what is the purpose of humans?So as a human, what should be a noble purpose that should pursue?
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at Jogye-sa Temple,Seoul, South Korea (June 15, 2018)
🔹Question: I have been here for about 8 years. I came over here as a teacher and am now a student. And I wanted to talk to you about North Korean defectors who are currently in Seoul or in South Koran in general. Given the fact that there are already over 30,000 North Korean defectors living in the country and that they have significant problems integrating into Koran society. What is the Buddhist community currently doing to help these people to better integrate? What do you think the Buddhist community can do in the future further help both believers and non-Buddhist followers alike from this-community?
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at PrincetonUniversity (Oct. 1, 2014)
🔹Question: The Guiding Zen Master of Jungto Society Ven. Pomnyun Sunim is the founder and Guiding Zen Master of Jungto Society. He is not only a Buddhist monk and Zen master but also a social activist who leads various movements such as ecological awareness campaign; promotion of human rights and world peace; and eradication of famine, disease, and illiteracy.
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from a Dharma Q&A session at George Washington University (Oct. 8, 2014)
🔹Question: I'm working with terminally ill patients. I had many korean patients as well. At the end of life they were difficult of letting go of their lives. They make healthcarechoices that is critical that cause suffering. I come to an end where I cannot convince them to make the decision that I think it's best for them There was an incident. The paitent was 85 years old. She was dying but she wanted to do everything there was to do including chemotherapy. One day, I was trying to ease her into accept and be comfortable with the time she has left. She looked at me and said "If you were me wouldn't you want to live?" I felt guilty of doing this job. I don't want to feel guilty and I don't want to burn out. I would like to ask for your advice.
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint
🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A
Selection from Casual Conversation with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim (September 19, 2021)
🔹Question: Today my question is about some of Sunim’s teaching that is very similar or overlaps with Sigmund Freud’s structural theory of personality especially the period from birth to 3 years of child’s life. According to both teachings, a child develops the unconscious mind or majority of personality traits during that period through the relationship with their mother. And that influence becomes a personality affecting a person’s entire life and future behaviors. Buddha’steachings have been with us for thousands of years while Freud’s idea has been only like for 100 years. Right? It’d be wonderful to know from whom this theory came first between Buddha and Freud?
🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/
🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint