Theravāda Buddhist Reflection Circle (TBRC) Manifesto
Purpose and Vision
Our circle aims to live as true lay devotees by directly knowing and seeing the teachings of the Buddha. We strive to live mindfully as independent beings, not as captives to the five senses, using meditation as a means to cultivate this life. Additionally, our vision is to build a community of sincere practitioners who agree with and follow this philosophy of life.
우리 모임은 부처님의 가르침에 따라 부처님께서 보여주시고자 했던 것들을 각자가 직접 알고 보는 참된 재가불자의 삶을 지향합니다. 오감에 종속되지 않고 항상 깨어 있는 주체로서의 삶을 추구하며, 명상은 이러한 삶을 이뤄나가는 수단으로 연마합니다. 또한 이러한 삶의 철학에 동의하고 따르고자 하는 참되고 바른 법우들의 지속적인 모임을 만들어 나가는 걸 비전으로 삼고 있습니다.
- Purpose: Knowing and Seeing (Ñāṇadassana, 알고 봄)
- Vision: Sincere and Righteous Dhamma Fellowship Community
Core Values
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Right View (Sammā Diṭṭhi, 올바른 견해): Understanding the nature of reality, particularly the Cattāri Ariyasaccāni (Four Noble Truths, 사성제)—the truth of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation. Right View serves as the foundation for the entire path.
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Right Speech (Sammā Vācā, 올바른 말): Refraining from false speech, divisive speech, harsh words, and idle chatter. Practicing speech that is truthful, gentle, and beneficial, promoting harmony and understanding.
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Right Mindfulness (Sammā Sati, 올바른 마음챙김): Developing continuous awareness of one’s body, feelings, mind, and mental objects. This is practiced through the Satipaṭṭhāna (Four Foundations of Mindfulness), which include mindfulness of the body, feelings, thoughts, and Dhamma.
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Right Concentration (Sammā Samādhi, 올바른 집중): Developing deep states of meditative absorption (jhāna) through focused and sustained attention. This leads to a unified mind that is calm, clear, and free from distractions.
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Wholesome Habit Cultivation (선한 습관 함양): Striving to cultivate wholesome habits needed to follow the Ariya Aṭṭhaṅgika Magga (Noble Eightfold Path, 팔정도).
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Dhamma Giving (Dhammadāna, 법보시): Offering the gift of the Buddha’s teachings (Dhamma), which could include giving, sharing, translating Dhamma with others, or supporting monastics and Dhamma teachers.
Guiding Principles
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Theravāda Buddhist tradition: We study and practice in accordance with the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, particularly following the Pa-Auk Tawya Monastery lineage, but we are not strictly limited to it.
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Noble Eightfold Path and Four Immeasurables: We follow the Noble Eightfold Path (팔정도) and the Four Immeasurables (사무량심) as the foundational study and practice methods. The Eightfold Path emphasizes developing right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration, while the Four Immeasurables—loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity—help cultivate a compassionate and balanced mind.
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Right View and Right Speech: We practice the fundamental etiquette of using right speech based on right view and promote mutual respect and consideration rooted in the Four Immeasurables. This means communicating with truthfulness, kindness, and mindfulness, while cultivating loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity in our interactions.
Circle Activities
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Knowing Activity: We focus on sutta-based learning centered around pre-determined topics. Each participant prepares individually by reading and reflecting on the chosen suttas for a month. Afterward, we come together to share our insights, personal experiences, and understandings gained through study and contemplation.
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Seeing Activity: Each member primarily practices individually within daily life, focusing on practical application over theoretical understanding. Even short but consistent practice is valued more than practice without real-world application. During circle meetings, members share their experiences, ask questions, and support each other’s growth.
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Wise Guidance: We believe that receiving guidance from a wise teacher is essential for both study and practice. During our meetings, we gather and organize members’ questions to consult with Venerable Bhante and share his guidance with the group.
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Online Activity: We use the LINE app for regular communication, where members freely engage in Dhamma discussions and share helpful resources for meditation and study. To maintain a positive environment, we strive to use speech that contributes to wholesome kamma (intention, 업) and avoid unnecessary small talk whenever possible.
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Giving Activity: One of the greatest merits in Buddhism is Dhamma Dāna (the gift of the Dhamma), which refers to sharing Buddha’s teachings for the benefit of others. We strive to engage in Dhamma sharing beyond what we have received, aiming to spread wisdom and compassion.
Audience
Anyone interested in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition and meditation is welcome to join our circle and offer mutual support. For those who are interested in Theravāda Buddhism but hesitate due to language barriers, I plan to offer both English and Korean sessions. It would be a great joy if many people could study and experience the profound truths taught by the Buddha together.
상좌부 불교 전통과 명상에 관심 있는 누구나 저희 모임에 참여하시고 서로 도움을 주고 받을 수 있습니다. 상좌부 불교에 관심 있지만 언어장벽 때문에 망설이고 있는 한국분들을 위해 영어 세션과 더불어 한국어 세션도 운영하려고 합니다. 모쪼록 많은 분들이 부처님께서 알려주신 심오한 진리를 함께 공부하고 경험하면 더할 나위 없이 기쁠거 같습니다.