Oh Gae Sugae Shik (The Five Precepts)

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This document is the precepts certificate which shows the promises we make to live mindful, compassionate lives, and to seek the teaching of the most celebrated enlightened one, Siddhartha Gautama, or The Buddha, which means The Enlightened One. It also shows the new name of the devotee--in this case mine; Man Do (the meaning of which you can find below on this page).

As "Buddhists,'' we may also wish to incorporate other interpretations of monks and nuns and other wise and enlightened human beings who lived lives of meditation, contemplation, and upright morality, such as our own teachers at Han Maum Seon Won or One Heart/One Mind Zen Center, whose founder, the Venerable nun called Dae Heng Kunsunim, teaches that all the answers to all the questions we have in life can be found in the inherent Buddha nature naturally manifested in us and connected to all things and all beings. If you think about this, it does not conflict with science, and to me, that is one of the greatest appeals of Buddhism.

Dae Heng Kun Sunim calls this inherent nature of ours the Juin Gong, or the Main Actor/Real Doer Of All Things. I interpret the Juingong to be who we are naturally, subconsciously; the genius humanity we are, which manifests itself in our uncorrupted selves, through likes, dislikes, love, and creativity, and its interrelatedness to all others and all things in the universe.

Of course, Buddhist teachings encourage--especially in Zen philosophy--that we must refrain from being steeped in desire and making too many distinctions between likes and dislikes, for this is a paradigm of thinking that causes our suffering and creates too great a distinction between good and bad, and not enough of the state of mind that sees the cause and effect of everything.

The Insence Marks, Entry 2

Dharma Brother Joe Siemion (now "Cheon-do"), taking the incense marks from Chong Go Sunim that will serve to remind him of the precepts. Joe is a teacher and a degree-holder from his university studies in comparative religions. He also one adept in chants--not only Korean Buddhist ones, but in Christian, Muslim, and other faiths. He is quite knowledgeable academically in the areas of Islam, Christianity, and of course in The Dharma. He is also one of the founders of the Saturday Sangha lead by Chong Go Sunim, our teacher at the Buddhist Library of Seoul, near Anguk Station. Chong Go Sunim is a monk of the Chogae order who lives and practices at this temple, Han Maum Seon Won, or One Mind/One Heart Zen Center, which was founded by Dae Heng Kun Sunim, or Master (Nun) Dae Heng.

Dharma Brother Joseph Bengivenni (now "Gil-do"), a teacher, photographer, and expert on tea from Nova Scotia, taking the incense marks from Chong Go Sunim that will serve to remind him of the precepts.

Dharma Brother Marcus (now "Seok-cheong") , a teacher, writer, and devotee who studied Buddhism in Cambridge and Thailand before coming to Korea, taking the incense marks from Chong Go Sunim that will serve to remind him of the precepts.

Dear Friends, Family, Dharma Brothers and Dharma Sisters,

This is me, Carl Atteniese Jr. (now "Man-do"), taking the incense marks from Chong Go Sunim, which will serve to remind me of the precepts.

My introduction to Buddhism came in my twenties, while reading Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, Suzuki Roshi, and His Holiness The Dalai Lama. However, my introduction to Oriental philosophy came when at nineteen, my good friend Louis Trentidue gave me a copy of The Tao Teh Ching, or The Book of The Way of Virtue, attributed to Lao Tzu (Meng Ja in Korean).

Perhaps a most interesting aspect of my story, is that the sufffix of my Dharma name, or Beob Myeong, "Do" is the same word as Tao.

Though I have always tried very hard to live my life with integrity--after the moral teachings of my mother and father and the spiritual lessons of Jesus, my true spiritual practice did not formally begin until a few years after coming to Korea for the second time in 2002, when in 2005 I suggested to a good friend reading up on Buddhism. This friend took the suggestion quite seriously--more so than I had thought (or even than I had wanted at first).

After reading Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, we went to meet Chong Go Sunim, and thereafter entered into a serious study of the temple master's philosophy; that was Dae Heng Kun Sunim.

My friend was a self-taught adept in yoga, Central Asian religions, Oriental medicine, and Chritianity. We discussed Dae Heng Kun Sunim's ideas at length. Sometimes I argued. But my friend was always patient, and she saw to the heart of the teaching, studied it earnestly, and made it clear to me--the formerly (arrogantly) self-professed logical, Western-'intellectual-descendant' of the "Aristotelian, "Socratic" and "Platonic" traditions of empiricism and argument.

Later, undaunted (thank The Dharma and Karma), My friend was given the name "Hong-Mak" at the precepts ceremony.

I have my friend to thank (mostly), along with Chong Go Sunim, Dae Heng Sunim, and those other masters and sages whom I read, for my present state of grace.

Though I myself tried to teach myself meditation in my youth--and I actually felt I had an "Answer Box" in my heart--perhaps similar in concept to Dae Heng Kun Sunim's teaching of Juingong--Hong Mak brought me to true practice--a spiritual path--which more than an intellectual one, can transform a human life to a higher state, in my opinion.

In this process of spiritual awakening (I hope), my heart has opened more than my Dear Mother would have ever dreamed possible.

The study of Han Maum Buddhism has even opened me up a little more to the possibility of God--like never before--and if you know Buddhism, the Buddha taught that man is the only refuge for his own salvation. However, the beauty of Buddhism is that it is a non-dogmatic philosophy, celebrating the sanctity of the human mind--for The Buddha himself said not to follow him if his teachings did not sit right with the student.

So in Buddhism, you can 'believe' what you wish, even though the Buddha said that it is not about faith; it is about seeing reality as it is; seeing the truth.

Thank you, and May You become a Buddha, or an Enlightened Being.

With Palms Together,

Mando (만도)

Sugae Shik (The Precepts Ceremony) Entry 1

Having already taken our precepts-- meaning we made promises to live compassionate, mindful, and upright lives; and having formally petitioned for the Dharma, or The Teaching of the Buddha, promising to try to attain enlightenment and to save all beings from ignorance--Chong Go Sunim, our teacher and the ordained monk of the Chogae Order of Korea who transmitted our new names from Dae Heng Kun Sunim to us--prepares to make the incense marks in our arms that will serve to remind us of the precepts.

From right to left on the cushions are Dharma Brothers Joseph Bengivenni, Joe Siemion, me-Carl Atteniese Jr.--and Marcus, kneeling before Our Inherent Buddha Nature and the Oneness of All Things, or Juingong as it is called by Dae Heng Kunsunim, the head nun at Han Maum Seon Won, or One Heart/One Mind Zen Center in Anyang, South Korea.

Chong Go Sunim presenting Marcus with his new Dharma name.

Chong Go Sunim presenting Joe Siemion with his new Dharma name.

Chong Go Sunim presenting Joe Joseph Bengivenni with his new Dharma name.

Chong Go Sunim handing Joseph Bengivenni his new Dharma name as they bow to one another's Inherent Buddha Nature.

Dharma Brother Joe Siemion (now "Cheon-do"), one of the founders of the Saturday Sangha at the Buddhist Library of Seoul, near Anguk Station. The study and Dharma talk there is lead by Chong Go Sunim, our teacher. Joe is a teacher himself, and a degreed student of comparative religions. Here he is taking his precepts at Han Maum Seon Won, or One Heart/One Mind Zen Center in Anyang, South Korea.

Bowing--in my interpretation--to Our Inherent Buddha Nature, and The Oneness of All Things, Juingong, at Han Maum Seon Won, or One Heart/One Mind Zen Center in Anyang, South Korea. From right to left are Joseph Bengivenni (now "Gil-do"), Joe Siemion (now "Cheon-do"), me-Carl Atteniese Jr. (now "Man-do") , and Marcus (now "Seok-cheong"),

Smiling Dharma Brother Joseph Bengivenni (now "Gil-do"), a teacher and photographer from Nova Scotia, and an officianado of teas, taking his precepts at Han Maum Seon Won, or One Heart/One Mind Zen Center in Anyang, South Korea.

Dharma Brother Marcus (now "Seok-cheong") , a teacher and writer--and an all-around amazingly cheerful fellow from Britain--reading his statement on what it means to take the precepts, to be given a Dharma name from the great Dae-Heng Kunsunim, via our wonderful Zen Master and friend, Chong Go Sunim, and expounding eloquently on what it means to formally declare oneself a Buddhist.

What Dharma Brother Seok-cheong wrote was remarkably beautiful, moving, and appropriate. I will post it here later. Thank you Brother Seok-cheong, and thank you my other Dharma Brothers and Sisters; of course, in the Dharma, thank you Dae-Heng Kunsunim and Chong Go Sunim (our Sangha teacher) and thank you to my first teacher here in Korea, Hong-Mak Bosal Nim.

W FOR SOME COMIC RELIEF:

Thank you Brother Seok-cheong; smashing job of it! .../'What; a smashing job did he do; is 'at whut ya said, eh? 'No, I beg ta diffah! It wasn't any such thing!'/'Ah you daft? Yes it was!'/'No, I'm not, and no it most certainly wasn't!'/'It certainly was; it was mah-vulous!'/'Oh come on! That was never a good statement given just then!'/'You styoooopid git ya; it was too; it was'imply BRILL-iant!'/'Who you callin a git ya right wankah? Was not!'/'Was too!'/'Was not!''Oh shut up; I've 'ad enough!'/'You 'ave not!'/'Yes I 'ave!'/'Then get out!'/'Ah think I will! Ah see no reason ta stick around heah an be insulted by the likes o'you, even if it is a byoo-eful temple!'/'Good'./'Good.'/'Oh, em,...'/'Yes, whut'ya want?'/'Em, may you become a Buddha.'/'What?'/'Ah said: ''may you become a Buddha.'''/'Oh, well...why thank you....You too.'/ 'Now em, get out.'/'fine.'

AND NOW, BACK TO THE CEREMONY

(small, barely adible applause from the gallery)

__________________________

Joseph Bengivenni (now "Gil-do"), Joe Siemion (now "Cheon-do"), me-Carl Atteniese Jr. (now "Man-do") , and Marcus (now "Seok-cheong")

Chong Go Sunim, Our Teacher (at center), and (from left, flanking him) Joseph Bengivenni (now "Gil-do"), Joe Siemion (now "Cheon-do," one of the founders of the Sangha), Marcus (now "Seok-cheong"), and me-Carl Atteniese Jr. (now "Man-do")

Chong Go Sunim, Our Teacher, and Joe Siemion (now "Cheon-do," one of the founders of the Sangha)

This is "Dahb-dori," or walking-meditation--around the "tahb" pedestal, which contains relics. As I learn more accurately about this structure around which I have done my walking meditation many times, I will include it here. Suffice it to say, it represents among other things, the interconnectedness and "oneness" of all things. At its top are a series of spheres representing the stars of the Big Dipper. You can learn more about it and Buddhism in general at http://hanmaum.org/.

The colored lanterns are for Buddha's Birthday, called "Butcha Nim Oshin Nal" in Korean. The white lanterns are for the deceased. The papers hanging beneath are offerings in petition for blessings, like prayer requests. Correct me here please, Chong Go Sunim and/or Dharma brothers and Sisters, if I am making any blunders--until I can research this more thoroughly.

Some of The Members of The Sangha (and all who either took the precepts this day, and those who came to celebrate our taking the precepts); from left to right: "Amita," Joe Siemion's Wife, Joe Siemion (now "Cheon-do"), Chong Go Sunim (Our Teacher), Marcus (now "Seok-cheong"), me-Carl Atteniese Jr. (now man-do), and Mr. Park (whose Dharma name I have forgotton; sorry mr. Park!). In front: Joseph Bengivenni (now "Gil-do"), and an administrator at Han Maum Seon Won (Han Maum Zen Center) whose name I also need to acquire--Sorry Bosal Nim!

This is my Dharma Brother, Marcus and me, before Chong Go Sunim, waiting to receive our insence marks in our forearms.

Me, Carl Atteniese Jr. (now "Man-do") , after taking my precepts, receiving my Dharma Name, or Beob Myeong, and the three incense marks in my forearm. Surprisingly, the markings did not hurt all that much at all.

And though it was a very pleasant and fulfilling ceremony--and a lovely day--I confess that at the moment of taking my new name, I had some bitter-sweet feelings to deal with, like I was transferred into the lines of a living haiku, where there is sudden delight, and at the same time, sudden mundanity, or slight melancholy, to call me back to reality....

For I fought some elements of this philosophy at first, before seeing the light fully, and it hurt someone.

And though this recollection was cause for some solemn moments, all in all, it made the event; this moment meant to transform our lives a partially glorious one, yet a partially sad one, thus putting the event into the balance of real life--as an event that is...such as life is made of most of the time...

Reminding me of the Chinese symbol, Yin and Yang, or Eum~Yang in Korean...

And making the moment a complete Dharma lesson;

Everything has a cause, and an everything has an effect; everything.

With Palms Together,

Mando (만도)