Balancing Actor’s Dreams and Livelihood
- The monk is currently observing the 48th day of a 100-day retreat focused on devotion.
- Following the completion of dawn prayers and meditation, the monk proceeded to the Jeongto Social Culture Center.
- At 10:15 a.m., after the recitation of Samgui and Bannah's heart, attendees sought guidance from the monk, posing questions related to their practice.
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Monk Emphasizes Benefits of Devotion During 100-Day Retreat
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The monk is currently observing the 48th day of a 100-day retreat focused on devotion. The day began with 1,080 prostrations in the morning, followed by an afternoon engagement with ’Gilbae,’ a group comprised of individuals from the broadcasting, film, theatre, and artistic communities.
Morning Devotion and Public Gathering
Following the completion of dawn prayers and meditation, the monk proceeded to the Jeongto Social Culture Center. A considerable number of people gathered on the third floor starting at 9 a.m. for a period of focused prayer. A brief question-and-answer session followed the prayer service.
Jeongto Social Culture Center“>The Importance of Consistent Practice
At 10:15 a.m., after the recitation of Samgui and Bannah’s heart, attendees sought guidance from the monk, posing questions related to their practice. Over 150 people were present. the monk addressed the assembly, reflecting on the dedication required for consistent devotion.
“Today marks the seventh devotion after the 1,080 prostrations. Initially, participation was high, and the space felt quite crowded.”
“Devotion requires constant dedication. Once you commit to the 100 days, you must persevere for the entire duration. This brave practice of 1,080 prostrations is held for fifteen days out of the 100, and consistent weekly participation is crucial.However, the human heart is fickle. its easy to become irregular by quitting and restarting. While irregular practice is better than none, consistent devotion is paramount.”
“It’s not just about courageous devotion. It’s also about the courage to stay awake for a week. what are the merits of this courage?”
“First, it builds confidence. Why? Because it provides a sense of accomplishment in overcoming difficulties. With confidence, you can face challenges without fear. The experience of overcoming difficulties accumulates. If you devote yourself 1,080 times, you might want to quit around 700. If you do 3,000 times daily, you might feel like you can’t go on around 2,000. But after overcoming that, you gain faith in yourself. Conversely, if you repeatedly quit, you lose self-belief. Though, if you persevere, you become confident and fearless. This is the greatest merit of devotion.”
“Second, the body becomes healthier. Some express knee pain from too many prostrations. However, if done correctly, prostrations are beneficial for health. When climbing mountains with the public, I can easily distinguish those who regularly prostrate.Even if it’s challenging, they ascend without difficulty.Those who don’t often struggle even on smaller mountains. If you are not ill or injured, climbing a mountain of about 1,000 meters above sea level daily should not be a problem.”
“A healthy body leads to a clear mind. if the body is constantly ill, it becomes a source of fear. Physical discomfort is a major obstacle to devotion. Conversely, prolonged sitting can harm your health, being worse for the knees than prostrations and perhaps leading to hemorrhoids.”
“Third, concentration improves. Initially, various thoughts and delusions arise during prostrations. As the body tires, thoughts become more focused. Even if negative thoughts arise, you won’t be as easily distracted. (Laughter) Eventually, the physical exertion becomes so demanding that you forget your grievances.Normally, you might dwell on negative thoughts, but during prostrations, it’s difficult to sustain such thoughts for long.”
“During meditation, emotions can be overwhelming. Calming the mind involves focusing on breathing. However, distracted individuals find it difficult to concentrate on breathing. Thus, prostrations are frequently enough more beneficial than meditation. The more anxious, psychiatric, or depressed a person is, the more helpful prostrations are. A healthy lower body also reduces the likelihood of mental illness. Most people with weak lower bodies are prone to distraction. Thus, frequent prostrations are recommended. It’s a way to build a foundation for practice.”
“Fourth, frequent prostrations deepen faith. In Tibet, practitioners often prostrate their entire bodies. Many focus on memorizing scriptures. These practices strengthen faith. While it may seem overly religious,faith is highly valued. Nonetheless of the specific meaning, faith itself can be expressed more deeply.”
“Conversely,intellectual understanding of illegality results in the weakest faith. Even lower than those who simply follow rituals.Intellectual religion is the first to disappear under oppression. Rituals survive, even in hiding.When communism arrived in China, most religions were dismantled, but esotericism remained. People secretly practiced and memorized scriptures. whether this is wise is another question, but maintaining religion became a way to preserve culture and tradition.Like this, you must have some faith to do it steadily. You can’t read the book and know it with your head.”
“People frequently enough ask, ‘Did the Buddha bow 108 times?’ There’s no record of the Buddha bowing. Why do we associate Buddhism with bowing? Over time, it’s been found that teachings are best preserved when physical strength and faith underpin the practice. Or else, initial enthusiasm fades quickly. Frequent prostrations don’t guarantee blessings, but they provide the strength to overcome anything. This is the merit of devotion.”
“Of course,there are disadvantages. Monks who meditate extensively, like in Thailand and Myanmar, are generally calm. They are less hurried. On the other hand, practitioners in bowing cultures are less relaxed but gain strength. Even when bowing, greed can arise, hindering progress.Meditation practitioners tend to be slow and sometiems irritable, prioritizing calmness. However, they can sometimes appear lazy, lacking drive and power.”
“The difference between Korean buddhism and Theravada Buddhism stems from this. Korean Buddhism inherited Zen teachings, but also a culture where teachers discipline disciples physically. Some even went to war. Chinese Buddhism also teaches martial arts like Shaolin. This contradicts the Buddha’s teachings. The Buddha gained tremendous power through six years of asceticism, and scriptures depict a battle with the Demon King.He realized the middle way and changed his approach. Thanks to that experience, the Buddha was fearless. he was enlightened, but he had already overcome many hardships.”
“If you study too comfortably, you’ll struggle when difficulties arise. Book learning disappears quickly. You need to practice with opposition and criticism. The same is true for driving.You need to navigate traffic and sudden stops to become proficient. Some who practice quietly lack real-world experience. While avoiding harm to others is an advantage, the ability to actively respond to problems might potentially be weak. So, if you only meditate, you may lack the power to solve social problems.”
“That’s why combining both is ideal. Study the scriptures and maintain calmness while developing physical strength through prostrations. Modern people need this because they lack exercise. Strengthening stamina and developing strength through prostrations can reduce overthinking.”
“ideally, do at least 108 prostrations daily and 500 on weekends.This will improve your health and give you strength. Since we engage in social practices, we need courage. Whether farming, distributing materials, or fundraising, these activities require power and courage.”
“To solve social problems, you must confront others. If you only meditate, you’ll be scared to act. Even if you’re skilled alone, you might be unable to speak in public. Monks shouldn’t just be good; they should express their thoughts. You must clearly state your intentions and know how to overcome difficulties to spread the Buddha’s teachings.”
“Of course, avoid excessive power. The Buddha didn’t use power. The world is corrupted by money, power, and violence, but Buddhism pursues nonviolence. Violence includes unfairly using wealth or power. So, we need to devote ourselves together and overcome difficulties. With this in mind, let’s begin our devotion.”
Subsequently, the 1,080 prostrations commenced.
“Guan Yin Bodhisattva, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Guan Yin Bodhisattva ……”
JTS Celebrates Milestone in Philippines, Monk Emphasizes Global Engagement
An event highlighted the completion of 10 schools for indigenous and disabled children in Mindanao, Philippines, showcasing the ongoing work of the Join Together Society (JTS), an international relief association. The event featured insights from Roh Hee-kyung,a representative of Gil,and a monk who discussed the organization’s mission and impact.
Roh Hee-kyung’s Viewpoint on Overcoming Challenges
Roh Hee-kyung shared an anecdote about overcoming negativity, recounting a story of a cave shrouded in darkness for a thousand years. “The question was, how do you get rid of that darkness?” Roh Hee-kyung saeid. “The answer was simply to light one candle. That single act dispels the darkness instantly.” This, she explained, highlighted the power of positive action and the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Roh Hee-kyung expressed hope that attendees would gain “the power to reveal the candle” and “the power to turn on even if the candle is turned off,” encouraging resilience and continued effort in the face of adversity.
JTS’s Global Initiatives
Following Roh Hee-kyung’s remarks, a video presentation showcased the completion of the schools in Mindanao. A monk then took the stage to elaborate on JTS’s broader mission and global activities.
JTS, which stands for Join Together Society, focuses on combating hunger, disease, and illiteracy worldwide. “If you are hungry, you have to eat; you should be treated if you are sick; and children should learn on time,” the monk stated, outlining the organization’s core principles.
Established nearly 30 years ago, JTS initially focused on building schools for children in India. Over time, its scope expanded to include clinics, village development, and support for various countries in Asia. The organization has maintained a stable presence in India and the Philippines for 30 and 20 years, respectively.
In the Philippines,JTS has been instrumental in establishing schools in remote mountain villages and conflict zones of Mindanao. The organization now builds more than 10 schools annually. Recently, there has been an increased focus on building specialized schools for children with disabilities, which now account for approximately half of JTS’s support in the region.
JTS also provides aid to disaster-stricken areas,including those affected by the Syrian earthquake,Pakistan floods,and Myanmar civil war.Despite the challenges posed by the civil war in Myanmar, JTS continues to support refugees at the Thai border and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Roh Hee-kyung and actor Jo In-sung have visited Rohingya refugee camps, while actress Han Ji-min has volunteered as a teacher at a school in Mindanao. The Gil Friends Meeting collaborates with JTS annually through fundraising and volunteer activities.
Expanding its focus beyond children and patients,JTS has initiated enduring development projects in Bhutan,aiming to create a model for low-consumption,high-happiness living in the face of the climate crisis.These projects include building houses, repairing existing homes, promoting agricultural fisheries, installing protective fences, and improving school facilities. JTS also provides cataract surgery, hearing aids, and dentures to elderly residents.
Q&A Session: Balancing Dreams and Livelihood
Following the presentation, the monk engaged in a Q&A session with attendees. One aspiring actor asked for advice on balancing their artistic aspirations with the need to earn a living.
The actor, who had already debuted in some productions, expressed feeling conflicted between pursuing demanding musical roles and taking on less physically taxing but more financially rewarding opportunities. “I’m doing a variety of things to achieve the actor’s dreams, but in the process, it’s hard to get the center of the mind with feelings such as rationalization, gap, and avoidance,” the actor said.
The monk responded by clarifying that the actor’s initial dream of becoming an actor had already been realized. The current goal, he explained, was to achieve greater fame and recognition. He emphasized the highly competitive and uncertain nature of the entertainment industry, noting that success often depends on a combination of talent, hard work, and luck.
The monk presented two possible paths: committing fully to the pursuit of fame,even if it means financial hardship,or treating acting as a part-time pursuit while maintaining a stable job. “Working for a living does not give up an actor,” the monk said. “Experiences to work on a company,work for daily work,or to do things like cleaning can also help you learn.” He suggested that the actor consider which approach best aligned with their priorities and risk tolerance.
The monk concluded by encouraging the actor to continue practicing and honing their skills, regardless of the chosen path, and to remain open to opportunities that may arise.
Monk Emphasizes Life Experience as Key to Authentic Acting
A prominent monk recently shared insights on actor training, emphasizing the importance of real-world experience over conventional methods. During a lecture attended by aspiring actors, the monk articulated a ideology centered on immersing oneself in diverse life situations as a form of acting practice.
Acting Beyond the Stage: A Philosophy of Immersion
According to the monk, “Experience is the material that writes.It is a practice to experience in advance when the actor is in charge of such a role later.” this approach encourages actors to view everyday activities, even seemingly mundane ones like farming, as opportunities for skill development. “While experiencing a variety of jobs, ‘This is acting practice,’ I think and live like this,” the monk stated.
The monk further elaborated on this concept, suggesting that actors should fully embrace the present moment rather than constantly analyzing their actions in preparation for a future role. “Rather than thinking, ‘This is a practice in preparation for this role,’ and accept it. Wouldn’t it be helpful to improve acting skills much more than practicing acting alone in the room anyway?”
The Value of Self-Directed Learning
The monk also touched upon the importance of self-directed learning, drawing from personal experience. Recounting a decision to leave high school, the monk explained, “I went to high school and quit and didn’t study anymore. Still, it’s not very ignorant to talk about conversation? The reason is that I actually study the necessary. I’m not studying where to use it.”
This philosophy extends to acting, where the monk advocates for practical application over rote memorization.”Most of the studies you need for yourself remain in memory. conversely, even if you memorize 100 students that you don’t really need, you can’t remember it,” the monk noted, criticizing traditional education methods as disposable.
Life as a Constant Acting Workshop
The core message of the lecture revolved around the idea that life itself is an ongoing acting workshop. “It is indeed not necessary to act on the stage to act on the stage. ‘Living itself is acting practice.’ Have a point of view,” the monk advised. “Do it yourself and do anything yourself. Then you can practice acting and have money.”
By embracing this perspective, actors can alleviate the pressure of achieving fame and find greater fulfillment in their craft. “Don’t think that becoming more famous as an actor is my dream. If I am an actor,I will treat all kinds of jobs in the world as if I have become an actor. Everyone thinks it is acting practice. Then the burden of becoming famous as an actor is reduced, and my life is lighter. Why don’t you follow the point of view that my life is an actor and a job at the same time?”
lecture Concludes with Appreciation
The lecture, which lasted for two hours, addressed various concerns raised by the attending actors. The session concluded with eager applause, and several participants received autographed books through a lottery.
The monk and Roh Hee-kyung expressed gratitude to each participant. “Thank you for coming. Be happy!”
Volunteers who helped organize the lecture gathered for a commemorative photo with the monk.
“Fighting, Fighting!”
The event marked the conclusion of a 34-lecture series.
Looking ahead, the monk is scheduled to lead a morning meditation session at the Jeongto Social Culture Center, followed by a discussion on leadership within the Happiness Movement.
Ostrations.