Korean Job Discussion Forums

[robitusson]

Hi, anyone know about Tibetan Buddhism in Korea? Are there any Tibetan Buddhist centres in South Korea?

[billybrobby]

there's some near korea.




in tibet.

[On the other hand]

Somewhere near Gwangju, in Jeollanam-do, there is a Buddhist temple that(I'm taken to understand) is dedicated to miscarried(possibly also aborted?) fetuses. It is somewhat different from the other temples in the area, in terms of the statues and buildings and whatnot. There are(as I recall) many "Madonna and Child" type icons on display throughout the place. Not sure if these are meant to portray Buddha and his mother, or just a generic mother and child.

Anyway, I have only been there once, and my knowledge and memory of the place is rather sketchy(as you can probably tell). But one thing I do recall is that it also has a large museum dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism. So, I would guess that it is Tibetan Buddhism that is practiced there.

I would imagine(though it's just a guess) that there would be similar temples elsewhere in Korea. But now I shall step aside and let someone with a more in-depth knowledge of Buddhism take the stage.

[hojucandy]

there is a tibetan buddhism centre in busan, near busan station. i met one of the monks once in a sauna. he was from tibet. he spoke perfect english and was a very nice guy.

[robitusson]

[Cedar]

In addition to the Tibetan Buddhist Center in Busan, there are Tibetan Buddhist monks at half a dozen temples in Korea. If you want to find them, the best thing to do is call the Jogye Order, that usually sponsors them and find out where they are (and if they speak English). None of them are right in Seoul proper.


Also, I find this question to be more than a newbie question... I find it silly to say "Tibetan Buddhism" that's like saying "Korean Buddhism" or "Japanese Buddhism". Just as there are different sects and schools in Korea (some still very textually oriented, though most are meditational) there are also different sects of Tibetan Buddhism. An educated question would have specified the specific sect, it's like saying "Are there any Christians in Korea?" and ending up taken to the Jehovah's Witnesses when you are Methodist.

ps The center in Busan is Gelukpa unless I am mistaken.

[idealjetsam]

I mean, there are countless sects within the Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana schools, not to mention those that blend elements of more than one of the "schools" and, further, all those individuals out there practicing organically as seems right to them, possibly not even knowing the differences between the major schools, so it is not "newbie" to refer to a "Tibetan Buddhism".

Practioners of Tibetan (primarily Vajrayana) Buddhism in Tibet, India and Nepal clearly distinguish between their practice and the practice of other Buddhists, and clearly maintain there are general similarities between their practice and those who also follow the Vajrayana, even when it is syncretized(or adulterated, depending on your point of view) by the other schools or local traditions, so why wouldn't it make sense to do so also? To make use of your analogy, the Jesuits and the the hierarchy of the Papacy may practice in extremely different ways, but they would certainly both regard themselves as Catholics and I am sure they would distinguish their "Catholic-ness" from the "Protestant-ness" of Methodists, Baptists or Evangelicals.

So take it easy on the newbie--he might choose to become born again.

[Cedar]

[robitusson]

[idealjetsam]

Good point. I guess I just got my dander up over nothing...

Yeah, but it's easy get the dander up in a world full of questions like, "So, would you say you worship the Dalai Lama like a god, or just follow him like the Pope?" isn't it?

It's quite a silly question as I actually have an a affinity for the Zen/Seon schools and haven't really been involved with any organizations or instructors since leaving India last year. Meaning: robitusson, all I had to offer was my two cents, nothing useful.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

[robitusson]

Thanks anyway.