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RETURNING TO ZERO
The essence of Buddhism in modern society

Bul Hae Sunim

ABSTRACT

The following paper takes a look at the role spiritual life and the teachings of the Buddha in itself can play in helping this world. The paper explains, how, by returning to meditation and spiritual life we can attain a true understanding of the origin of suffering and attain our true pure and clear nature and that by attaining this we can go forward into the world with clarity and loving kindness to be of benefit to others and our environment. The paper explains that by returning to zero, our true nature we can understand our true human being job and act in the correct way moment by moment. The paper makes use of my own experience in life as well as Zen teaching and two stories to illustrate the benefit of meditation and the spiritual life in providing the Buddhist community with a clear direction to go forward with in being actively involved in dealing with the problems we face as a global society.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

My name is Bul Hae Sunim. I was ordained in the Kwan Um School of Korean Zen by Zen master Sen Shin and Zen Master Dae Gak in May of 1995. I trained with my teacher Zen Master Sen Shin for 6 years during which time I studied a Bachelor of Education [primary school teaching] at Griffith University. I then moved to Canberra to continue my study in teaching but left and changed to youth work instead. After this I briefly worked for the government in the Office of Child, Youth and Family Support in the Care and Protection area managing cases of child abuse and neglect. After this I went to work as a youth worker working with young people in crises providing them with basic counseling, lifestyle and education support and help with health and self esteem. I currently work for a government welfare organization called communities at work where I provide similar services as fore mentioned.

I also teach martial arts and healing arts including tai chi gung and yoga with an emphasis on Zen meditation and cultivating loving kindness, respect and discipline. I am a simple meditation monk and spend a lot of time in meditation. I attend retreats with my teacher when I can and regularly go to practice with other monks and nuns at a Theravada forest monastery near my city. I am not anyone special or important and I do not have a big temple or have attained any high position. I only do practice everyday and try to help this world.