Sunim’s Day Outing To Seonunsa Temple

Pomnyun Sunim spends his day with INEB monks to visit the Seonunsa Temple.

---

The morning started early with the sound of moktak, a wooden gong silently waking everyone. Buddhists in grey uniforms and INEB monks in red took their seats in the sermon hall.

Buddhist service started shortly, and after the service was over, an INEB monk asked Pomnyun Sunim who painted on the altar portrait of Buddha. Pomnyun Sunim explained in detail, pointing each character out.

After a brief breakfast session, Pomnyun Sunim opened up a map of South Korea and explained each district’s characteristics to the INEB monks. Then he explained about Seonunsa Temple in detail before heading out with the INEB monks.

At 6:50 AM, Pomnyun Sunim and INEB monks got on a 45-person travel bus. During the bus ride, they had a dharma talk Q&A session.

Many people clapped in happiness after the dharma talk. Soon after, they arrived at the Seonunsa Temple.

It was also the day of “foreign workers’ picnic day” and Pomnyun Sunim was to meet them in front of the Seonunsa Temple. Since the foreign workers’ group was delayed by 40 minutes, Sunim and INEB monks took a stroll and enjoyed the Temple’s scenery.

While they enjoyed a cup of tea, foreign workers from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka arrived. Pomnyun Sunim introduced foreign workers to INEB monks.

Sunim emphasized that the day was for everyone to enjoy and have fun. They took a picture in front of the main temple and had their lunch.

After lunch, they all went to Jijangbogung and had another Dharma talk Q&A session.

After the Dharma talk, Pomnyun Sunim took a walk along the Seonunsa trail with a monk from Myanmar.

By the time it was to leave, people gathered waiting to take pictures with Pomnyun Sunim. There were also little children who gathered around Pomnyun Sunim, calling him “grandpa.”

Before leaving the parking lot, Pomnyun Sunim heard a story of families affected by flooding in Sri Lanka. He donated money to help out, and the receiver of the donation said he will use it to provide fresh water to those in need. People who were gathered clapped and showed their appreciation.

When it was time to leave, people filed onto the travel bus and fell fast asleep. After taking a break at a rest stop, they had another Dharma talk session for the remaining ride back home.