July 2018 JTS America Newsletter
In South Korea, there are many people who are less fortunate than others. Among them are children who go hungry because they fall just short of being qualified to receive social assistance programs. Volunteers from 23 JTS branch offices investigated the children of families experiencing severe financial difficulties and delivered nutritional packages to them.
Delivery of nutritional packages by JTS Club student volunteers
Making nutritional packages
Nutritional packages for hungry children in Daegu
Every Spring, JTS Korea hosts an outing for Dubuk seniors to support the marginalized farming community and to show appreciation to its seniors. On April 23, 2018, the JTS Chairman, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, along with 39 JTS volunteers from Haeun branch of Jungto Society, accompanied 109 seniors on an outing.
Visiting the Beomuh Temple
On May 6, the Ansan JTS Multicultural Center hosted a field trip with JTS Chairman, Pomnyun Sunim, to Naksan Temple located in Yangyang in Kwangwon Province. One hundred twenty-six people of diverse cultural backgrounds along with 31 Korean volunteers attended the trip consisting of a pilgrimage to Naksan Temple, a Dharma Q&A session with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, and a stroll through the Naksan Beach. The people who attended had a wonderful time, enjoying a break from their daily routine.
Outing of the members of the Ansan JTS Multicultural Center
Dharma Q&A with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim
Twelve staff members from JTS India visited Korea for 9 days on May 28, 2018. They are from Dungeshwari and Sanka Cia in India. Some members have worked with JTS Chairman Ven. Pomnyun Sunim since 1991 when Ven. Pomnyun Sunim went on a pilgrimage to India to tour the sacred Buddhist temples and sanctuaries. During the pilgrimage, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim vowed to help those in need in India, so in 1994, he built a school in Dungeshwari with the village people. Some of the visiting JTS India staff have been with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim for up to 25 years and are the greatest assets of JTS India.
JTS India staff members, who had come to South Korea for the first time, visited the JTS Korea headquarter, participated in a JTS street fundraising campaign, and toured various social and cultural sites. Also, they visited educational facilities such as daycare and elementary school as well as visiting organic crop and cattle farms. They were able to experience many things and get a better understanding of JTS activities. After learning a great deal and having a lot of fun, they were sorry to see their visit come to an end.
JTS India Staff’s Visit to South Korea
JTS India staff members at the JTS Korea office
Visit to the Seoul Oh-Jung Elementary School Library
Hands-on experience of organic farming in a greenhouse
At Bulguksa Temple with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim
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