top of page

 The Place 

I have a friend a Buddhist monk. He lives in a small temple located on Mt. Bukhan in Seoul. He meditates three times a day in front of a gilt statue of Buddha and sometimes takes a vow of silence. He rarely mentions his meditation, even though we have known each other for over twenty years.

One day, I asked him about the purpose of his meditation. He calmly responded, “I devote to meditation, I believe, that would bring me a place where I would not struggle with dukkha, [sorrow, suffering, pain, dissatisfaction, or disappointment.]”  He added, “No dukkha means ‘No-Self,’ which would be enlightenment.”

 

Since the conversation, I have visualized “a place” My friend wishes to reach.

bottom of page