Zen Master Seung Sahn, the founder of the international Kwan Um School of Zen, died on November 30, 2004, at the Hwa Gye Sah temple in Seoul, Korea. He peacefully died at the age of 77, surrounded by his disciples. This Dharma Talk was given to his disciples at the end of winter retreat in Hwa Gye Sa, Febrary 5, 2004. He explained the meaning of Hae Je(End of Retreat) and answered all the questions from his disciples who were sincerely seeking the truth.

Haeinsa Buddhist Temple is one of the cardinal Buddhist temples in Korea. It is one of the Triple Gem temples where home to one of the most complete set of teaching of the Buddha are stored in more than 84 thousand wooden blocks called Tripitaka Koreana or Palmandaejangkyong. Repositories and these wooden blocks are such a technological marvel that it maintains moisture level at astonishingly even throughout the year. In such an ideal environment, these wooden scripture blocks of Buddhism are kept more than 700 years in optimum condition, so much so that we can still make prints from these blocks today. UNESCO registered it as World Heritage back in 1998. Video footage is of members of 8th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women visiting the monastery.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, recently gave a teaching on the topic of Nagarjuna’s Bodhicitta Commentary for a total of 6 hours in Kanazawa, Japan over a two-day period, from April 16-17, 2005.

The Dalai Lama said He decided to talk about Nagarjuna Bodhisattva’s teachings for “they represent the foundation of Buddhist practice and transcend Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.” The Dalai Lama also humbly said that, while he is not someone who has mastered Buddhist teachings or attained an awakening, it is his sincere hope that His lecture provides the opportunity for a more in-depth look at Buddhism.