“The Most Venerable Seongpa, the Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Yonhap News.”
“Are you offering a warm hand to neighbors suffering from heavy rains, and do you have the broad heart to embrace and resolve those distressed by conflicts?”
The Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order, Most Venerable Seongpa, delivered a Dharma speech with such content ahead of the release from the Eulsa Haean Geoso (Summer Retreat) on the 8th, the Jogye Order announced on the 4th. In his speech, Most Venerable Seongpa urged practitioners to pay attention to the recent disasters and social conflicts, saying, “Your every step becomes the Dharma, and the smile blooming on your face becomes hope.”
Regarding this year’s Summer Retreat, Most Venerable Seongpa mentioned, “The significance is truly great as the highest form of Ganhwaseon practice is transmitted and widely utilized among the monastics of the Jogye Order. This sacred undertaking has been achieved through the sincere support of various practitioners at different places, those who assist in the practice, and devoted Buddhists, and I truly praise it.”
The retreat, known as ‘Angeo,’ refers to the 3-month meditation practice during which monks gather in one place and focus on meditation without leaving. It occurs during the winter months (from the 15th day of the 10th lunar month to the 15th day of the first month of the next year) and the summer months (from the 15th day of the 4th lunar month to the 15th day of the 7th lunar month). According to the National Meditation Center Head Monks Association of the Jogye Order, a total of 1,790 monks practiced diligently across 92 meditation centers nationwide during this year’s Summer Retreat.