Donghua zen temple: continuing the lineage of chan (zen), zen meditation exchange event successfully held at south korea's hwagyesa temple

On October 20-21, 2024, a delegation from Donghua Zen Temple, upon invitation from Hwagyesa Temple in Seoul, South Korea, successfully organized a "China-South Korea Zen Meditation Exchange Event." The event aimed to promote Chinese Zen culture, facilitate cultural exchange between Chinese and South Korean Buddhism, and enhance friendly relations between the two nations.

The Venerable monks from Donghua Zen Temple participated as representatives alongside Chinese and South Korean Buddhist followers, as well as representatives of Chinese expatriates and overseas Chinese in South Korea. Together, they engaged in a diverse range of Chinese Zen cultural exchange activities, including seated meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), tea ceremony (tea Zen), and moving meditation (donggong). These activities not only showcased the profound essence of Chinese Zen culture but also facilitated mutual understanding and learning between China and South Korea in the field of Zen meditation.

Zen Hearts Intertwined, One Lineage Continued
Hwagyesa Temple, a renowned international Zen meditation monastery in South Korea, shares a historical connection with Donghua Zen Temple through their linked Dharma lineages. Hwagyesa Temple belongs to the Caodong school (Korean: Jogye Order), named after the sixth patriarch Huineng's alternative name, "Caoxi." Similarly, Donghua Zen Temple was named by the sixth patriarch Huineng himself. Both temples inherit the Dharma lineage of the great master Huineng, the sixth patriarch. Despite being separated by mountains and oceans, their Dharma lineages remain interconnected.

Hwaseok Temple, South Korea

Master Yang Feng, the abbot of Huaxi Temple

The Abbot of Donghua Zen Temple, Venerable Master Wanxing, extended sincere greetings and blessings to Hwagyesa Temple. He expressed that Zen is a spiritual practice and a wisdom for living, representing the essence of Eastern culture and the philosophy of life for both Chinese and South Korean people. This China-South Korea Zen meditation event not only showcased the artistic achievements of both countries in the field of Zen culture but also aimed to strengthen exchanges and enhance friendship between the two nations.

Furthermore, Venerable Master Huiliang and other monks instructed participants in the practice methods of Chinese Zen moving meditation (donggong) and still meditation (jinggong). Chinese Zen still meditation aims to achieve a state of meditative concentration (Zen Samadhi) and enlightenment by adjusting one's posture to sit correctly and comfortably, regulating breathing, and practicing visualization while chanting the "Three-Character Mantra."

moving meditation (donggong) consists of only seven movements. Regular practice can help unblock meridians, balance the body's yin and yang, and achieve the effects of strengthening the body, improving health, and prolonging life. Through alternating between movement and stillness, participants experienced and realized the wonders of Zen meditation.

Sit in meditation

Dynamic power

Master Qingjiang of Huaxi Temple

Master Huazang (disciple of Master Wanxing) who has been meditating at Hwaseok Temple in South Korea for ten years

During the walking meditation (kinhin) session, participants followed Venerable Master Qingjiang and Venerable Master Huazang as they circumambulated Samgaksan (Triangle Mountain), where Hwagyesa Temple is located. They experienced a return to the original state of unity between body and mind while walking.

Xingchan

Tea Zen Original Flavor

The enlightened must taste first

Tea Zen

In the Zen tradition, walking, standing, sitting, and lying down are all opportunities for Zen practice. People can enter a state of Zen not only through seated meditation and walking but also through drinking tea. During the "tea and Zen are one flavor" experience, Venerable Master Huiliang drew parallels between the tea-making process and the cultivation of oneself, allowing everyone to appreciate the essence of Zen practice while tasting tea.

Elder Jianxiang from Huaxi Temple gave a lecture

Issuing a certificate of completion for meditation practice

As the Zen meditation event drew to a close, participants from both China and South Korea expressed their hope for actively promoting cultural interactions between the two temples in the future and engaging in diverse mutual learning. Using Zen meditation as a medium, they aim to leverage the role of Buddhist exchanges as a "golden link" to further promote the connection between the hearts of the two peoples and inject strong momentum into building an even closer China-South Korea community of shared future.