"Son" in the City: Daehaeng's Innovative Approach to Contemporary Buddhist Practice

Hyeseon Sunim (Kyunhee Lee)

The modernization of Korean society over the last 100 years or so necessitated a new way of propagating Buddhism. Various aspects of traditional Buddhist institutions, rituals, and customs have been modified to meet the changing needs of Koreans who were caught up in the rapid urbanization and westernization of their lifestyles. This paper presents the exemplary endeavors of Daehaeng Sunim to modernize Buddhist practice in Korea. Daehaeng Sunim spent many years deep in the mountains as an itinerant S?n practitioner. At the conclusion of her mountain practice in 1972, she founded Hanmaum Seonwon in Anyang, a satellite city of the metropolis of Seoul.

Daehaeng Sunim’s selection of an urban locale as the main site for her Dhrama teaching was significant. The changes she introduced to teach Buddhism effectively to contemporary urban Koreans are reflected in the temple structure and practice programs at Hanmaum Seonwon. Daehaeng Sunim introduced innovations both in traditional Korean iconic representations and ritual forms. First, the altar of Hanmaum Seonwon’s main Dhrama hall enshrines only one Buddha statue – that of Sakyamuni – unlike the three Buddha and/or bodhisattva statues typically found in Korean temples. Second, vernacular Korean is used in chanting instead of classical Chinese. Third, ritual food offerings are simplified. Fourth, the old Buddhist custom of releasing live fish and turtles into waters has been replaced with helping one’s needy neighbors. Fifth, fixed-term prayer sessions for 100 or 1,000 days are deemphasized; instead, ongoing prayer in day-to-day life is recommended. Sixth, to teach the importance of non-attachment, the devotional lanterns that devotee traditionally hang temples to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday are kept only for three days, not continuously for a year.

Daehaeng Sunim’s simplification of elaborate rituals and ceremonies and even temple interiors is aimed at teaching the importance of the mind as the exclusive site of S?n practice. From a practical point of view, her innovative ideas help city dwellers continue their Buddhist practice amidst the vortex of their hectic urban lives.