 Donggukians are waiting for their turns to get complimentary treats from Sukrim association. /Photograph by Lee Ji-won |
From October 31st to November 1st, Dongguk Lotus Festival took place at Paljungdo. It was held by the students of the College of Buddhist Studies. The festival is based on the idea that the Lotus symbolizes Buddhism. The goal of this festival is for everyone to enjoy and share the meaning of Buddhism. There were diverse kinds of booths held such as Indian Yoga, making Buddhist rosary, and sharing treats and beverages.
Among those events, the Sukrim association, which is a gathering of Sunims who are in faculty of Buddhist Studies, shared free treats such as garlic pies and drip coffees to Donggukians. The Sukrim association planned to share such food for a kind of volunteer work to celebrate the Dongguk Lotus Festival together.
Another booth was called Autumn Morning; flower bookmark conducted by the Department of Buddhist Social Welfare. It is a project connected with the Community welfare center, the whole booth aimed to make profit by offering the chance to experience Buddhism and make flower bookmark to other students. Students of the Department of Buddhist Social Welfare had got this idea from Junglim Social Welfare Center’s project to produce the workplace for homeless people. They also made an alliance with those centers and sell the goods made by the homeless to donate the profit that comes from it.
Hong Jeong-min, the staff member of the Student Council of the College of Buddhist Studies, said, “Lotus Festival is a place to communicate with the Buddhist monks and learn about Buddhism, in that point, I think it is meaningful for the students that does not know a lot about the College of Buddhist Studies and Buddhism.” On the perspective of the event’s participant, Han Hye-soo (Sophomore, Economics) said, “Although there is such an event, I usually just pass by and go straight ahead to the library. However, since our school is Buddhist university, I thought I should participate once in my school years and it was so much enjoyable and the events were very interesting.”