On Monday, the people of Korea get a national holiday. No work. No school. No rush hour traffic and packed subways as people scramble to their offices. Just a nice long weekend as the weather turns beautiful. Sun. Mountains. And iced-coffee. And it’s all for Buddha’s Birthday – or more literally “Bucheonim osin nal” meaning “the day when the Buddha came.” During my time here I’ve come to understand how Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism differ from the monotheisms back home. With things like Christianity and Islam, there’s a god. And you believe in that god. People of course have varying degrees of belief and this waxes and wanes during their life. But ultimately, someone’s association with the religion is defined by their belief. It creates a dichotomy. You either believe or you don’t. You can’t really be a Christian and a Muslim because that would be to believe in two different stories and your belief in one would go some way to discredit your belief in the other (generally, of course). But East Asian worldviews are more like a philosophy than a religion. They fun
Searching for the Korean Buddha
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- Searching for the Korean Buddha
On Monday, the people of Korea get a national holiday. No work. No school. No rush hour traffic and packed subways as people scramble to their offices. Just a nice long weekend as the weather turns beautiful. Sun. Mountains. And iced-coffee. And it’s all for Buddha’s Birthday – or more literally “Bucheonim osin nal” meaning “the day when the Buddha… Read more: Searching for the Korean Buddha - US Fed chair says he will be ‘reform-oriented’ at glitzy White House swearing-inWASHINGTON — New U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh vowed to be “reform-oriented” as he was sworn in at the White House, Friday, with President Donald Trump insisting the central bank chief would be “totally independent.” Trump has exerted unprecedented pressure on the central bank to reduce interest rates, attempting to fire a Fed governor and pursuing a criminal probe… Read more: US Fed chair says he will be ‘reform-oriented’ at glitzy White House swearing-in
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- Rubio sees progress in Iran talks, but says more work neededDUBAI/HELSINGBORG, Sweden — The United States has seen some progress towards a deal with Iran but more work is required, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday, while Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said the two sides’ differences were deep and significant. Intensifying diplomacy to end the conflict, Pakistan’s military chief arrived in Tehran, Friday to press on with mediation efforts,… Read more: Rubio sees progress in Iran talks, but says more work needed
- BTS fans angered as Busan room rates jump up to tenfold before concertsBTS fans are criticizing alleged price gouging by Busan accommodations ahead of the group’s concerts in the southern port city, taking to online forums to condemn skyrocketing room rates. One room typically costing 60,000 won ($40) per night reportedly spiked to 760,000 won during the concert period, sparking widespread outrage among fans. BTS will hold concerts in the city on… Read more: BTS fans angered as Busan room rates jump up to tenfold before concerts
Latest Entertainment from Korea
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Learn People & History of Korea
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