Korean Buddhism Preserved in Northeast China
Translator’s Note: The Korean Peninsula has had a long history of cultural and political association with China. Although today Koreans may be described as ethnically and culturally distinct from the culture of Han China – this has not always been the case. Since the end of WWII and the annexing of South Korea by the United States – Eurocentric racism and (capitalistic) Christianisation has crept into the equation, creating a false dichotomy between North Korea, South Korea and China proper. The Communist State of North Korea has also pursued its own path of development, and distinguishes itself from capitalist South Korea and Communist China. However, around 2 million ethnic Koreans live in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Jilin province. This area was established in 1952 by Mao Zedong’s Communist Party of China in recognition that Chinese-Koreans had fought bravely against the 1931 invasion of Manchuria, and had mostly supported the CPC in its War of Liberation (1946-1949) against the Western-backed fascist forces of Chiang Kai-Shek. According to Chinese language sources, ethnic Koreans have been migrating into northeast China since at least the end of the 17th century, and have been allowed to establish their own schools, culture and language – although Chinese-Koreans have also voluntarily chosen to learn the Chinese language. There are now direct rail links to both Russia and North Korea which sees people travelling freely between these destinations. Of course, English language references about this place (such as wiki) are notoriously inaccurate and present a false picture of the area. Chinese-Koreans are settled and very happy. They are not generally interested in the US colony of South Korea – but do routinely travel in and out of North Korea.
(ACW 14.8.2017)
(ACW 14.8.2017)
Buddhism Online News recently carried a story from China’s northeastern Jilin province, reporting that the President of the (Jilin) Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture Buddhist Association – Dharma Master Ming Kuan (明宽法师 – Ming Kuan Fa Shi) – together with Dharma Master Yan Tian (衍天法师 – Yan Tian Fa Shi) – President of the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture Buddhist Loving Kindness and Meritous Activity Association – as well as around 30 followers and supporters, carried-out merit-making and other charitable works in the area.
This group was accompanied by Han Xiu Ri (韩秀日) – the Secretary of the Dragon City (龙市 – Long Shi) Council – as they visited a local Primary School in the area to carry out compassionate activities to alleviate poverty. The Dragon City Buddhist Association donated 10,000 Yuan to be divided amongst 10 of the poorest students. On this occasion, Master Yan Tian stated:
‘The children of our motherland carry all our hopes and dreams for a progressive future. As responsible adults, it is our social duty to treat all children with compassion, understanding and consideration, and to provide each child with everything they need to grow and to prosper. In return for this comprehensive care, I request that all children learn to understand and appreciate the love, care and attention they are given by the adults, and aim to study hard, learn well, become good adults and in turn assist the next generation of children to develop and grow. Moreover, (Communist) China needs you to develop all your psychological and physical abilities to their greatest extent, so that you can be a great and tremendous asset to the nation (as private citizens and public figures). It is important to understand that the basis of (Socialism and) Buddhism is compassionate concern for one another’s development and welfare, as well as loving kindness between the individuals (and other creatures) that comprise a civilised society.'
All that were present were deeply moved by this speech that presented Socialist pragmatism and Buddhist compassion and loving kindness as emerging from a common root of progressive development. The Principal of the New East Primary School expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation for the presence of the Buddhist masters and their followers, particularly in light of their mission of compassion and loving kindness. After the two Buddhist masters performed the appropriate ceremonies to grant blessings and understanding, they spoke to everyone present and built good associations and friendships for future interactions between the secular Socialist State and the Buddhist establishment.
After these events, further visits were planned for merit making in various other areas of the Dragon City – including helping the disabled (adults and children), orphans, widows, the elderly, those with troubles, and anyone in need of assistance for whatever reason. This would include visiting nursing homes, sports centres, friendship associations, and many other cultural groupings. With assistance from the Communist government of China, as well as local government and other charitable associations, money was made available to be distributed to all these people at the auspicious time of Chinese New Year.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2017.
Original Chinese Language Article: http://news.fjnet.com/cssy/cssynr/201501/t20150130_227790.htm
延边朝鲜族自治州佛教慈善功德会举行扶贫慈善活动
2015年01月30日 11:43:00 衍天法师博客
佛教在线吉林讯 近日,吉林延边朝鲜族自治州佛教协会会长明宽法师、延边朝鲜族自治州佛教慈善功德会会长衍天法师一行30余人到和龙市进行奉献爱心扶贫慈善活动。
慈善功德会一行在和龙市民宗局韩秀日局长的陪同下到市新东小学进行扶贫助学活动,并启动了和龙市民宗局、和龙市佛教协会爱心捐助仪式,现场为十名贫困学子资助学款1万元。衍天法师说:“孩子是祖国的未来与希望,请孩子们记住有很多的社会爱心人士一直在爱护你们、帮助你们,请你们一定要努力学习、积极进取,早日成长为国家的栋梁之才。爱心需要传递,同时希望有更多的爱心人士加入到真情传递的活动中来。”
慈善功德会的大爱善举感动了在场的所有师生,新东学校的金校长代表全校师生与家长对法师们的慈心援助表示了衷心感谢。仪式结束后,明宽法师、衍天法师等与在场的师生进行互动沟通,并建立了互助联系卡,为助学活动的后期延续做好坚实基础。
功德会一行随后到了和龙市希望福利院、延边州体校、延边州残联、和龙市社区养老院,看望慰问病弱孤儿、残疾儿童、困难群众、孤寡老人,为他们带去了新春的祝福与吉祥,并向他们分别捐赠了善款。
After these events, further visits were planned for merit making in various other areas of the Dragon City – including helping the disabled (adults and children), orphans, widows, the elderly, those with troubles, and anyone in need of assistance for whatever reason. This would include visiting nursing homes, sports centres, friendship associations, and many other cultural groupings. With assistance from the Communist government of China, as well as local government and other charitable associations, money was made available to be distributed to all these people at the auspicious time of Chinese New Year.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2017.
Original Chinese Language Article: http://news.fjnet.com/cssy/cssynr/201501/t20150130_227790.htm
延边朝鲜族自治州佛教慈善功德会举行扶贫慈善活动
2015年01月30日 11:43:00 衍天法师博客
佛教在线吉林讯 近日,吉林延边朝鲜族自治州佛教协会会长明宽法师、延边朝鲜族自治州佛教慈善功德会会长衍天法师一行30余人到和龙市进行奉献爱心扶贫慈善活动。
慈善功德会一行在和龙市民宗局韩秀日局长的陪同下到市新东小学进行扶贫助学活动,并启动了和龙市民宗局、和龙市佛教协会爱心捐助仪式,现场为十名贫困学子资助学款1万元。衍天法师说:“孩子是祖国的未来与希望,请孩子们记住有很多的社会爱心人士一直在爱护你们、帮助你们,请你们一定要努力学习、积极进取,早日成长为国家的栋梁之才。爱心需要传递,同时希望有更多的爱心人士加入到真情传递的活动中来。”
慈善功德会的大爱善举感动了在场的所有师生,新东学校的金校长代表全校师生与家长对法师们的慈心援助表示了衷心感谢。仪式结束后,明宽法师、衍天法师等与在场的师生进行互动沟通,并建立了互助联系卡,为助学活动的后期延续做好坚实基础。
功德会一行随后到了和龙市希望福利院、延边州体校、延边州残联、和龙市社区养老院,看望慰问病弱孤儿、残疾儿童、困难群众、孤寡老人,为他们带去了新春的祝福与吉祥,并向他们分别捐赠了善款。