​Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism's Council of Elders Visits Dharma Drum Mountain

On March 27^th, Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) World Center for Buddhist Education joyfully welcomed a delegation of "Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism's Council of Elders" (대한불교조계종 원로회의) from Korea. The DDM Abbot President, Venerable Guo Huei (果暉法師), met with 12 Elder Venerables of Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and gave them a tour of the Center. Both parties exchanged souvenirs to convey their cordial blessings, hoping to promote international exchanges between the Sanghas of Taiwan and Korea.

Ven. Guo Huei, genially greeted the Venerables from Korean with "안녕하세요" (Good day. How are you?) and "감사합니다" (Thank you). In his welcoming speech, he mentioned that Dharma Drum Sangha University (DDSU) and Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts (DILA) have established an amicable cooperation with Haeinsa Sangha University (해인사승가대학) and Dongguk University, and that he hoped to continue to have further exchanges with all the visiting monastic representatives in the future. After his speech, Ven. Guo Huei gave the visitors an English guided tour of DDM Founding History Memorial Hall, Lotus Bell Tower, and other buildings, and led them to the Grand Buddha Hall to prostrate to Buddhas.

"During my visit to Dharma Drum Mountain, I can perceive that Buddhism lives in life itself." Venerable Ja-gwang (자광), the President of the Elders' Council of Jogye Order, said that Buddhism in Taiwan fully manifests the spirit of compassion and benefiting all beings. For this trip to Taiwan, he hoped to promote cooperation between Korean and Taiwanese Buddhism in various aspects. Ven. Ja-gwang also shared that he felt comfortable and at ease at Dharma Drum Mountain, and that they were impressed by the hospitality of Dharma Drum Mountain.

Travelling all the way from Korea, the delegation of Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism's Council of Elders was led by Ven. Ja-gwang, President of the Elders' Council and Abbot of Banyaseonwon (반야선원). Other members of the delegation include Venerable Do-hu (도후), Vice-President of the Council and Abbot of Cheongpyeongsa (청평사); Venerable Bo-seon (보선), Vice-President of the Council and representative of Daeheungsa (대흥사); Venerable Wonmyeong (원명), Abbot of Jogyesa (조계사); Venerable Beop-ta (법타), Abbot of Eunhaesa (은해사); Venerable Won-gak (원각), Abbot of Haeinsa (해인사); Venerable Jeong-yeo (정여), Abbot of Beomeosa (범어사); Venerable Seong-o (성오); Venerable Cheol-ung (철웅); Venerable Il-myeon (일면); Venerable Ji-myeong (지명); and Venerable Dong-myeong (동명).



Original text written in Chinese by Fu Li-xian (傅莉嫻)
Photos provided by Zhang Yao-zhong (張曜鐘), Fu Li-xian (傅莉嫻)
Translation: Siang-ling Li
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL