Reflections of a Zen Buddhist Nun (Korean Classics Library: Philosophy and Religion)

The life and work of Kim Iryŏp (1896–1971) bear witness to Korea’s encounter with modernity. A prolific writer, Iryŏp reflected on identity and existential loneliness in her poems, short stories, and autobiographical essays. As a pioneering feminist intellectual, she dedicated herself to gender issues and understanding the changing role of women in Korean society. As an influential Buddhist nun, she examined religious teachings and strove to interpret modern human existence through a religious world view. Originally published in Korea when Iryŏp was in her sixties, __Reflections of a Zen Buddhist Nun (Ŏnŭ sudoin ŭi hoesang)__ makes available for the first time in English a rich, intimate, and unfailingly candid source of material with which to understand modern Korea, Korean women, and Korean Buddhism. Throughout her writing, Iryŏp poses such questions as: How does one come to terms with one’s identity? What is the meaning of revolt and what are its limitations? How do we understand the different dimensions of love in the context of Buddhist teachings? What is Buddhist awakening? How do we attain it? How do we understand God and the relationship between good and evil? What is the meaning of religious practice in our time? We see through her thought and life experiences the co-existence of seemingly conflicting ideas and ideals―Christianity and Buddhism, sexual liberalism and religious celibacy, among others. In __Reflections of a Zen Buddhist Nun__, Iryŏp challenges readers with her creative interpretations of Buddhist doctrine and her reflections on the meaning of Buddhist practice. In the process she offers insight into a time when the ideas and contributions of women to twentieth-century Korean society and intellectual life were just beginning to emerge from the shadows, where they had been obscured in the name of modernization and nation-building. Cover Contents Acknowledgments Translator’s Introduction: Kim Iryŏp, Her Life and Thought Part One Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Life Chapter 3 Buddhism and Culture Chapter 4 In Memory of the Great Master Man’gong on the Fifteenth Anniversary of His Death Chapter 5 On New Year’s Day of the Twenty-Fifth Year after Joining the Monastery Chapter 6 A Proposal to the World Fellowship of Buddhists Conference Chapter 7 Why Has Buddhism Launched a Purification Movement? Chapter 8 Is the Mind One or Two? To Mr. C., Who Has Recently Converted to Catholicism Chapter 9 What Is Faith? Contemplation upon Reading a Letter from My Friend M. Chapter 10 The Path to No-Mind: A Letter to Mr. R. Chapter 11 Having Burned Away My Youth: A Letter to Mr. B. Chapter 12 With a Returned Gift in My Hand Chapter 13 Having Prepared a Clean Copy of My Master’s Manuscript (by Yi Wŏlsong) Part Two Chapter 14 Return to Emptiness Chapter 15 Meditation and the Attainment of the Mind Chapter 16 Prayer and Chanting Chapter 17 Path to Eternity: A Message to Journalists Notes Character Glossary Bibliography Index Life -- Buddhism And Culture -- In Memory Of The Great Master Man'gong On The Fifteenth Anniversary Of His Death -- On New Year's Day Of The Twenty-fifth Year After Joining The Monastery -- A Proposal To The World Fellowship Of Buddhists Conference -- Why Has Buddhism Launched A Purification Movement? -- Is The Mind One Or Two? To Mr. C., Who Has Recently Converted To Catholicism -- What Is Faith?: Contemplation Upon Reading A Letter From My Friend M. -- The Path To No-mind: A Letter To Mr. R. -- Having Burned Away My Youth: A Letter To Mr. B. -- With A Returned Gift In My Hand -- Having Prepared A Clean Copy Of My Master's Manuscript (by Yi Wŏlsong) -- Return To Emptiness -- Meditation And The Attainment Of The Mind -- Prayer And Chanting -- Path To Eternity: A Message To Journalists. Kim Iryŏp ; Translated And With An Introduction By Jin Y. Park. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In this book the author attempts to explain modern Korea, Korean women, and Korean Buddhism