Chope Paljor Tsering la, the Representative for Japan & East Asia recently visited Korea in conjunction with celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 70th Birth Anniversary from 14th to 19th July. Hyundai Bulkyu Media Center (HBMC), one of the major publishers of Buddhist papers in Korea kindly sponsored the event by organizing a live Sand-Mandala Creation Exhibition in a Buddhist gallery in the center of Seoul city. Ven. Kim Bob-jang, President of the Chogye Order, the largest Buddhist order in Korea, inaugurated the exhibition before the audience of about hundred monks and lay people. Dignitaries from prominent Buddhist orders like Jingak Order, National Treasure Sect etc, also attended the ceremony. Four monks from Gyuto Monastery headed by Rev. Jigme la began the creation of Sand-Mandala of Avalokitesvara with a formal Buddhist chanting. The event received good attention from the local media also.
Rev. Chongwol Sunim, a Director of the Hyundai Bulkyo Media Center, an admirer of Tibetan Buddhist tradition has been instrumental in getting the events organized. HBMC has earlier made an offer to the Representative an office space to conduct the activities of Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for East Asia in Korea. Representative Chope Tsering la accepted the offer formerly this time.
Representative Chope Tsering la and the two of the Gyuto monks visited Haeinsa, one of the three most important monasteries in Korea. The monastery has both Sutra and Vinaya school. In fact many young students from the prominent monasteries in Korea come to this monastery for Vinaya training. The Representative and the monks had a very meaningful and extensive exchange with the senior monks of the monastery.
With a view to further religious exchange between the two communities, Gu-Ryongsa monastery and Il San Buddhist Senior Welfare Center sponsored to take in three Tibetan monks and two nuns respectively in their centers. They will study Korean language and Buddhism. Representative Chope Tsering la hopes that this will bring the Buddhist tradition of the two peoples closer in the future.
A weeklong event of Sand-Mandala creation, public talk and meeting with monks and other officials proved very successful. Judging by the interest shown by the Buddhist monasteries, some officials and young people in Tibetan culture, Representative Chope Tsering la is certain that the relationship between the two communities will deepen and prosper in the years to come.
By Tsewang Gyalpo Arya
PRO – Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Japan & East Asia
