Korea links up Pakistan through Buddhism...
The best way to gain the attention of visitors and attract business to one’s country is by making connections and creating invisible bonds.
“I came to my homeland,” Jeon Woon-Deok said, Chief Monk of Cheon Tae Sect of Korea, when he visited Gandhara of Pakistan.
“We are so close, yet so far away,” said Park Kyo-soon, a research scholar of Gandhara art of Pakistan. “The Korean traditional culture is Buddhism-centric and Korean Mahayana Buddhism comes from Gandhara. Therefore, speaking of culture, Korea has a natural bond with Pakistan.”
To revive the ancient link, a photographic exhibition of Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan was presented by the Pakistan Embassy, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Pakistan and the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Namu Gallery in the Jogye Temple on July 22.
Gandhara art has a very important place in the world’s art history because the first Buddha statues in human form originated there, amalgamating both Western and Eastern cultures. The realistic and beautiful depictions of Buddha statues caused the Buddhist art to flourish.
Also, Park Hee-do, chairman of National Buddhist Council for Security of Korea, said “Korea will help to revive Pakistan’s Buddhism (artifacts) and make Gandhara a Mecca of Buddhists.”
“Through this exhibition, I want people of two countries to be closer in understanding their cultural heritage and furthermore, both countries would find new potentials of each country and actively invest.” said Shuakt Ali Mukadam, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Republic of Korea.
By Kim Hee-jung (hk1001@nyu.edu)
The entire article can be read here at Korea Herald.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Presentation on ‘Gandhara Renaissance’
The Gandhara Art and Culture Association (GACA) organised a presentation on ‘Gandhara Renaissance’ in the context of revival of peace, prosperity and interfaith harmony in the region here.
Three years ago, GACA, through the chief Buddhist Monk of Korea Jeon Woon Deok, shared a proposal with President Asif Zardari for revival of the oldest university in the world at Taxila. The president immediately issued a directive for donation of 100 canals of land next to Dharma Ra Jika stupa in Taxila. This proposal may now be close to fruition as the chairman of GACA Anwar Saifullah Khan, in his welcome address on the occasion, urged Salman Faruqui, secretary general to the president, to implement the president’s directive. He also requested the business and diplomatic communities
to donate for the worthy
cause.
Three eminent professors and a research scholar made presentations on Gandhara. Dr. Abdul Rehman gave a detailed account of Gandhara art and how it started in this region. He said Gandhara means the ‘Land of Fragrance.’ “Even though the fragrance has unfortunately disappeared, the importance of reviving this region to its original form and fragrant glory can hardly be over-emphasised,” he stressed.
Professor Saeed Akhtar analysed an eminent Gandhara relic (the fasting Buddha), which is a unique, 2,000 years old masterpiece of art which has never been promoted in the past. Gandhara art scholar from South Korea, Esther Park, who is living in Pakistan, feels that with proper promotion, this work of art can attract tourists in large numbers, especially from Buddhist countries.
Dr. Amineh Hoti, professor from Cambridge University, delivered a lecture on the ‘Significance of knowledge in interfaith harmony.’ She already has to her credit, the start of an interfaith institute in Cambridge University, and now intends to carry on this important work in her own country.
Esther’s presentation on ‘Gandhara Renaissance’ primarily focused on the development of Kyung Ju, a Koran city similar to Taxila. She shared with the audience, the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs of the city to show how seriousness of purpose led to its transformation. Referring to a UN report released after the Korean war, Esther mentioned that the said report predicted no hope in the future for Korea. “But through persistent hard work by the Koreans, their country is now among top-three most developed economies in the world,” she stated with a sense of pride.
Esther said, Pakistan has greater potential than Korea and urged the country’s government and business community to unite for the cause.
More on that can be read here
Three years ago, GACA, through the chief Buddhist Monk of Korea Jeon Woon Deok, shared a proposal with President Asif Zardari for revival of the oldest university in the world at Taxila. The president immediately issued a directive for donation of 100 canals of land next to Dharma Ra Jika stupa in Taxila. This proposal may now be close to fruition as the chairman of GACA Anwar Saifullah Khan, in his welcome address on the occasion, urged Salman Faruqui, secretary general to the president, to implement the president’s directive. He also requested the business and diplomatic communities
to donate for the worthy
cause.
Three eminent professors and a research scholar made presentations on Gandhara. Dr. Abdul Rehman gave a detailed account of Gandhara art and how it started in this region. He said Gandhara means the ‘Land of Fragrance.’ “Even though the fragrance has unfortunately disappeared, the importance of reviving this region to its original form and fragrant glory can hardly be over-emphasised,” he stressed.
Professor Saeed Akhtar analysed an eminent Gandhara relic (the fasting Buddha), which is a unique, 2,000 years old masterpiece of art which has never been promoted in the past. Gandhara art scholar from South Korea, Esther Park, who is living in Pakistan, feels that with proper promotion, this work of art can attract tourists in large numbers, especially from Buddhist countries.
Dr. Amineh Hoti, professor from Cambridge University, delivered a lecture on the ‘Significance of knowledge in interfaith harmony.’ She already has to her credit, the start of an interfaith institute in Cambridge University, and now intends to carry on this important work in her own country.
Esther’s presentation on ‘Gandhara Renaissance’ primarily focused on the development of Kyung Ju, a Koran city similar to Taxila. She shared with the audience, the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs of the city to show how seriousness of purpose led to its transformation. Referring to a UN report released after the Korean war, Esther mentioned that the said report predicted no hope in the future for Korea. “But through persistent hard work by the Koreans, their country is now among top-three most developed economies in the world,” she stated with a sense of pride.
Esther said, Pakistan has greater potential than Korea and urged the country’s government and business community to unite for the cause.
More on that can be read here
The Jogye Order's Buddhist School of International Studies
It is the first of its kind in Korea, opened its gates on Friday at Hwaunsa temple in Gyeonggi Province.
This special two-year training school is aimed at further propagating Korean traditional Buddhism to the rest of the world by fostering specialized monks with bilingual skills which is necessary when preaching Korean Buddhist teachings to foreigners.
This special two-year training school is aimed at further propagating Korean traditional Buddhism to the rest of the world by fostering specialized monks with bilingual skills which is necessary when preaching Korean Buddhist teachings to foreigners. "Up until now when Korean monks go abroad they really don't feel comfortable with foreigners, they don't know what to do, foreigners don't know what to do with them. But many people are actually very interested in and curious about Korean Buddhism. So that's one of the main motivations." In line with the purpose of this establishment, the school offers a wide range of courses from fundamental Buddhist doctrines and practices to technical English. The newly opened school has nine Bhikkuni monks and these women are eager to spread their words of wisdom. "I enrolled because I wanted to deepen my understanding of Korean Buddhism and preach the teachings in my own voice to many others around the world and help them cure their minds." The nine student monks vary in age and experience, but their goal is the same -- to liberate people across the globe from suffering by enlightening them through Korean Buddhism.
[Interview : Mujin Sunim, School head ] "Up until now when Korean monks go abroad they really don't feel comfortable with foreigners, they don't know what to do, foreigners don't know what to do with them. But many people are actually very interested in and curious about Korean Buddhism. So that's one of the main motivations."
In line with the purpose of this establishment, the school offers a wide range of courses from fundamental Buddhist doctrines and practices to technical English.
The newly opened school has nine Bhikkuni monks and these women are eager to spread their words of wisdom.
[Interview : Un-Seong Sunim, Bhikkuni monk] "I enrolled because I wanted to deepen my understanding of Korean Buddhism and preach the teachings in my own voice to many others around the world and help them cure their minds."
The nine student monks vary in age and experience, but their goal is the same -- to liberate people across the globe from suffering by enlightening them through Korean Buddhism.
[Reporter : Han Da-eun
daeun@arirang.co.kr ] "Jogye Order Buddhist School of International Studies is expected to pave a new road in fostering specialized Buddhist experts, as well as contribute to globalizing Korean traditional Buddhism.
Han Da-eun, Arirang News."
This special two-year training school is aimed at further propagating Korean traditional Buddhism to the rest of the world by fostering specialized monks with bilingual skills which is necessary when preaching Korean Buddhist teachings to foreigners.
This special two-year training school is aimed at further propagating Korean traditional Buddhism to the rest of the world by fostering specialized monks with bilingual skills which is necessary when preaching Korean Buddhist teachings to foreigners. "Up until now when Korean monks go abroad they really don't feel comfortable with foreigners, they don't know what to do, foreigners don't know what to do with them. But many people are actually very interested in and curious about Korean Buddhism. So that's one of the main motivations." In line with the purpose of this establishment, the school offers a wide range of courses from fundamental Buddhist doctrines and practices to technical English. The newly opened school has nine Bhikkuni monks and these women are eager to spread their words of wisdom. "I enrolled because I wanted to deepen my understanding of Korean Buddhism and preach the teachings in my own voice to many others around the world and help them cure their minds." The nine student monks vary in age and experience, but their goal is the same -- to liberate people across the globe from suffering by enlightening them through Korean Buddhism.
[Interview : Mujin Sunim, School head ] "Up until now when Korean monks go abroad they really don't feel comfortable with foreigners, they don't know what to do, foreigners don't know what to do with them. But many people are actually very interested in and curious about Korean Buddhism. So that's one of the main motivations."
In line with the purpose of this establishment, the school offers a wide range of courses from fundamental Buddhist doctrines and practices to technical English.
The newly opened school has nine Bhikkuni monks and these women are eager to spread their words of wisdom.
[Interview : Un-Seong Sunim, Bhikkuni monk] "I enrolled because I wanted to deepen my understanding of Korean Buddhism and preach the teachings in my own voice to many others around the world and help them cure their minds."
The nine student monks vary in age and experience, but their goal is the same -- to liberate people across the globe from suffering by enlightening them through Korean Buddhism.
[Reporter : Han Da-eun
daeun@arirang.co.kr ] "Jogye Order Buddhist School of International Studies is expected to pave a new road in fostering specialized Buddhist experts, as well as contribute to globalizing Korean traditional Buddhism.
Han Da-eun, Arirang News."
Gandhara Art Exhibition in Seoul
Esther Park, who has settled in Pakistan since 1999 and has never looked back she is pursuing her PHD. She has many a feathers in her cap in boosting the soft image of Pakistan all over the world.
She has written poems and co-authored books about Gandhara culture home of world oldest civilization. The selected photographs taken by Gulraiz Ghouri and German professor Dr Hauptman will be displayed during the month at an art exhibition at Na Mu gallery inside Jo Gye temple and will continue for 10 days.
The most interesting thing about the photographs is that it depicts the peace and tranquillity in Swat region in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province which has been disturbed since long owing to militancy.
The exhibition is done with the sole objective to give an insight off the area to Buddhist community in Korea which Esther Park believes can attract large numbers to Pakistan.
Buddhism in China, Korea and Japan has its birthplace in Pakistan and Monk Maranantha born in Chota Lahore, Mardan in Khyber Pukhtoonkwah was the person to spread Buddhism in all these three countries.
“The exhibition is special,” said Esther adding,” It is displayed in Seoul with Buddhist perspective in mind and its importance to Buddhism religion as a whole.”
The idea is to show the world that Pakistan has great religious tolerance and Buddhist religious places in the region are safe and there is no threat.
Esther Park has plans to write a book about the region covering the Buddhist perspective as there is no literature to date available about the area covering the Buddhism religion. The material available has been written by western writers and it lacks the Buddhist philosophy and faith.
The Mahayana Buddhism originated from Pakistan and Esther Park documented many a sites that are off great spiritual importance to Buddhists in Korea. She aspires to write the book for all Buddhism followers in China, Japan and Korea and is working on getting funding for the project.
Esther in her endeavours has also formed Gandhara Arts and Cultural Association which is headed by Anwer Saifullah Khan and association member Zulfiqar Rahim needs special mentioning who played a vital role in Esther Park endeavours in pursuing her passion about Gandhara civilization.
She has written poems and co-authored books about Gandhara culture home of world oldest civilization. The selected photographs taken by Gulraiz Ghouri and German professor Dr Hauptman will be displayed during the month at an art exhibition at Na Mu gallery inside Jo Gye temple and will continue for 10 days.
The most interesting thing about the photographs is that it depicts the peace and tranquillity in Swat region in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province which has been disturbed since long owing to militancy.
The exhibition is done with the sole objective to give an insight off the area to Buddhist community in Korea which Esther Park believes can attract large numbers to Pakistan.
Buddhism in China, Korea and Japan has its birthplace in Pakistan and Monk Maranantha born in Chota Lahore, Mardan in Khyber Pukhtoonkwah was the person to spread Buddhism in all these three countries.
“The exhibition is special,” said Esther adding,” It is displayed in Seoul with Buddhist perspective in mind and its importance to Buddhism religion as a whole.”
The idea is to show the world that Pakistan has great religious tolerance and Buddhist religious places in the region are safe and there is no threat.
Esther Park has plans to write a book about the region covering the Buddhist perspective as there is no literature to date available about the area covering the Buddhism religion. The material available has been written by western writers and it lacks the Buddhist philosophy and faith.
The Mahayana Buddhism originated from Pakistan and Esther Park documented many a sites that are off great spiritual importance to Buddhists in Korea. She aspires to write the book for all Buddhism followers in China, Japan and Korea and is working on getting funding for the project.
Esther in her endeavours has also formed Gandhara Arts and Cultural Association which is headed by Anwer Saifullah Khan and association member Zulfiqar Rahim needs special mentioning who played a vital role in Esther Park endeavours in pursuing her passion about Gandhara civilization.
Pakistan: Hub of Tourism not Terrorism
Islamabad - Pakistan should become the hub of tourism and not terrorism by promoting the rich cultural heritage of the country. This was stressed at a conference on “Gandhara: Road to peace, prosperity and interfaith harmony” arranged here on Saturday by Gandhara Art and Culture Association (GACA).
Anwer Saifullah Khan, chairman of GACA urged on “restoring and reviving the cultural glory of the region through the establishment of a Buddhist University in Taxila – a city which is as important for Buddhists as is Mecca for Muslims. “This step will greatly improve the image of Pakistan in the international world” he added.
Taxila, one of the oldest cities of Pakistan, was an ancient seat of learning (5th to 2nd century BC) where world’s first University was established in the Buddhist era. Ms. Esther Park, director of GACA said that GACA aims to revive the oldest university in the world by establishing a Buddhist University at the same site. “The institution can become one of the best research institutes on Gandhara, attracting a large number of religious tourists and scholars from across the world, especially China, Korea and Japan.” She also gave a video presentation on Gandhara renaissance.
The supporters for the proposed the university told that they are seeking funds from Pakistan government as well as private donors at home and abroad.
Speaking to the audience, Masood Ali Khan, a guest speaker pointed out that Pakistani scholars only educate students about 65 year old history but neglect the fact that Pakistan is home to 5000 years old heritage.
Mian Imran Masood, former provincial minister Education said that “the government of Pakistan has provide land for the establishment of the Gandhara university but the project still face a huge financial support to see the light of the day.”
Dr Abdur Rehman, an eminent scholar and archaeologist gave a detailed presentation on Gandhara art and shared the story of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha.
Saeed Akhtar, a famed artist discussed in detail the critical review of a classic Gandhara relic – “the fasting Buddha” when Buddha was merely reduced to skin and bone after six years of fasting. Tauseef Zaman, Vice President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) extended his full support to Gandhara Art and Culture Association.
Gandhara region, comprising Taxila, Peshawar and Swat valley is very rich in cultural heritage and is a sacred land for the Buddhists. With the development of the Gandhara region, the area could become preferred place of visit by the Buddhists as it contains a great component of the evolution history of this religion.
Anwer Saifullah Khan, chairman of GACA urged on “restoring and reviving the cultural glory of the region through the establishment of a Buddhist University in Taxila – a city which is as important for Buddhists as is Mecca for Muslims. “This step will greatly improve the image of Pakistan in the international world” he added.
Taxila, one of the oldest cities of Pakistan, was an ancient seat of learning (5th to 2nd century BC) where world’s first University was established in the Buddhist era. Ms. Esther Park, director of GACA said that GACA aims to revive the oldest university in the world by establishing a Buddhist University at the same site. “The institution can become one of the best research institutes on Gandhara, attracting a large number of religious tourists and scholars from across the world, especially China, Korea and Japan.” She also gave a video presentation on Gandhara renaissance.
The supporters for the proposed the university told that they are seeking funds from Pakistan government as well as private donors at home and abroad.
Speaking to the audience, Masood Ali Khan, a guest speaker pointed out that Pakistani scholars only educate students about 65 year old history but neglect the fact that Pakistan is home to 5000 years old heritage.
Mian Imran Masood, former provincial minister Education said that “the government of Pakistan has provide land for the establishment of the Gandhara university but the project still face a huge financial support to see the light of the day.”
Dr Abdur Rehman, an eminent scholar and archaeologist gave a detailed presentation on Gandhara art and shared the story of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha.
Saeed Akhtar, a famed artist discussed in detail the critical review of a classic Gandhara relic – “the fasting Buddha” when Buddha was merely reduced to skin and bone after six years of fasting. Tauseef Zaman, Vice President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) extended his full support to Gandhara Art and Culture Association.
Takhat i Bhai is one of the most important Buddhist monastery in Gandhara. According to the chief monk of Korea “Takhat i Bhai is even a better than the great pyramids of Egypt” if compared as the universal energy conversion location, and “the proper restoration can make the monastery more popular than the pyramids.”
Original Article published in The Observer.
Seoul to support Gandhara university project in Pakistan
TAXILA: South Korea is keen to support Gandhara renaissance project in Taxila in northeast Pakistan aimed to revive the 2,500-year-old Buddhist University of Taxila with features of the 21st century.
This was stated by Choi In-Sun, the wife of Korean ambassador to Pakistan, after visiting the proposed site of the university here, reports said on Wednesday. She offered religious rituals at Dharmarajica, an ancient Buddhist stupa and monastery near the site.
Chief Monk of Korea Jeon Woon Deok, who visited Pakistan last year, has approved the site for the establishment of the institute. The government of Pakistan has agreed to provide land for the establishment of the university.
Earlier, founder of Gandhara Art and Culture Association Esther Park briefed the guest about the project.
Talking to newsmen, Sun said Taxila valley harboured one of the world’s best Buddhist sites and after establishment the institute would play a key role in reviving the oldest university and seat of learning.
She said the university would become a world research centre on Gandhara and interfaith harmony, which would not only invite scholars from across the world for study and research but would also promote tourism in Pakistan.
She said by establishing the institute, negative impact about Pakistan would be removed besides the area would become a tourist zone. She said the institute would also bridge the gap between Islam and other religions, especially Buddhism.
In response to a question, she said President Asif Ali Zardari, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Unesco, USAID and other international organisations were in touch with each other over the project. She hoped that with the assistance of Pakistan and support from the Korean public the project’s groundbreaking ceremony would be held in November.
She said the Korean embassy also planned a ‘peace karvan’ in Taxila in 2011 in which monks would perform prayers for peace in the world.
Esther Park said the aim of the establishment of the Buddhist centre of learning and research was to revive the ancient university of Taxila with the same features but with modern facilities.
Responding a question, she said the project had been initiated on the proposal of Korean chief monk who is also the chairman of his country’s Gandhara Arts and Culture Association.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Learn Chinese in Pakistan
...this post is to highlight some basics on learning Chinese while you are in Pakistan. I thought that doing this would be good since Korean has borrowed a lot from Chinese and in olden days the only method to write Korean Language was through Chinese charachters which we call Hanja (한자) or Hanmun (한문).
Nevertheless, learning anything new and particularly a language is a good excercise for brain.
While looking for various programs being offered in Pakistan the oldest name is that of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad. The website of NUML is not updated like every other website in Pakistan. They have webmasters and IT teams but I am clueless how things actually work. In Chinese language acquisition we have two major names of NUML and the Confucius Institute. I hope they bring forward a finctional website in a highly connected and wired world of today.
Anyhow, I ended up looking for programs on You Tube to learn Chinese and I have found an incredible website by Becky which is: http://www.baikeclass.com/.
Though Becky is very young but she is an excellent teacher so far on internet and her passion, vision and mission are great too. Best of luck Becky!
Until the universities announce admissions again: I'm Becky's student!
Nevertheless, learning anything new and particularly a language is a good excercise for brain.
While looking for various programs being offered in Pakistan the oldest name is that of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad. The website of NUML is not updated like every other website in Pakistan. They have webmasters and IT teams but I am clueless how things actually work. In Chinese language acquisition we have two major names of NUML and the Confucius Institute. I hope they bring forward a finctional website in a highly connected and wired world of today.
Anyhow, I ended up looking for programs on You Tube to learn Chinese and I have found an incredible website by Becky which is: http://www.baikeclass.com/.
Though Becky is very young but she is an excellent teacher so far on internet and her passion, vision and mission are great too. Best of luck Becky!
Until the universities announce admissions again: I'm Becky's student!
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