Seventeen Years Of Growth

SPEAKER_07 0:00

17th anniversary. And I must say that these celebrations are getting rather cheesy in a better with age kind of way. Go fall and everybody falls to the ground with joy. We've had several milestones this year. Our Soshimsa Sangha family has grown in so many ways. Some of the ways are located amongst you. We've developed and implemented the rank of Poptigi, a unique position of Dharma keeper, a first in the Buddhist tradition. A position filling the gap between the regular member of our community and the monastic vocation, thus making those holding jobs and tending to families in their daily life also serve as torch bearers of the Buddhist teachings. The tendrils of our 17-year-old Sprout are now even reaching overseas, as we are in the process of developing a Sosimsa branch in Poland. Today I would like to thank all of you who to various degrees have been a part of this incubation of Sosimsa seeds. Some of these people you know for their constant presence. Some you've seen in passing, and others you may have never seen in person. People like Kerry Rios, who pays both Soshim Saa' and the Abbott's phone bill. Raphael, who is my human Google, an advisor for so many uh worldly things, without whom I would rather I would remain rather hopeless, socially hopeless gauche. People like Gary, who although hasn't set foot in the Zen Center since he moved away years ago, always sends his monthly donation. People like Jin Song, who couldn't be here today, but whenever he is in town from LA, offers his sound bath services.

Honoring Generosity With A Major Gift

SPEAKER_07 2:28

And then we have Mr. Choi and his mother Moon Suhen Bosal, who through their family's Fidelity Charitable Donor Advised Fund just made a hundred thousand dollar donation to Soshimza. Unfortunately, Moon Suheng Bosal and Mr. Choi could not join us here today to receive a small token of gratitude. Nonetheless, we will present it as if they were here. A special recognition award presented to Mr. Justin Choi. In grateful recognition of your extraordinary generosity, unwaving support, and deep commitment to the mission of Socian Sa Zen Center. Through your compassionate giving and sincere dedication, you have helped create opportunities for spiritual practice, education, healing, and service to countless individuals. Your generosity has strengthened the foundation of our community and will continue to benefit present and future generations. The merit of your kindness and the example of your selfless support will remain a lasting source of inspiration to all who enter these gates. With profound appreciation and respect, we present this award in recognition of your invaluable contributions and steadfast faith in our shared vision. So Chimsa Zen Center USA, Korean Buddhist Tego Order, respectfully presented by Venerable Myung and Sonia Abbot So Shimsa.

SPEAKER_13 4:33

Thank you, and thank you so much. Also rather not accepted. That's why they're not coming.

SPEAKER_07 6:31

So that's a big right. And then there are the regular, familiar faces. Like my right hand secretary assistant, daughter, shadow, and our Shindo president Suol. And Son Yang Shim, our social media content creator, who saves me from bleeding from my eyes. And are now too far gone for a takeback.

Kids Growing Up In The Sangha

SPEAKER_07 7:40

I'd like to thank our Lotus Buds for all the joy of watching a newly arrived creature catch up the growth of their little bodies to their disproportionately big head. The creatures who, what seems like two minutes ago, needed help getting the straw into their juice boxes, and who, on every trip, but what I am convinced was an agreed-upon conspiracy, took turns getting their shoelaces undone and bringing the entire group to a screeching halt. But many of whom are now in college or college bound. I hope some of you remember a thing or two from your Lotus Buds days, and that your lives bloom beautifully. Give each other a round of applause. Then there are Mu Zang Sunim and Dok Sang Sunim, of whom you rarely see outside of Sunday service, but who are out in the field sharing the Dharma. Yeah, give him something. And of course, of course, our founding parents, your noble sarname, Zen Master Il Cho, who are the most problematic people of this list. Because how do you say a meaningful enough thank you? Well, why break your neck if when I could pilfer from Rumi? Although I may try to describe love, when I experience it, I am speechless. Although I may try to write about love, I am rendered helpless. My pen breaks and the paper slips away. Nonetheless, I thank you.

Recovery Outreach Beyond The Temple

SPEAKER_07 10:34

A few years ago I asked him to focus on the recovery outreach. He didn't. He threw himself into it. He spent so much time out in the world going from one recovery facility to another, to another, to another. Fifteen. We are in fifteen substance abuse, addiction recovery, and mental health programs where Dok Sung Sunim is currently teaching. Please give him a round of applause. Being that he serves as a banner of So Shinsa as he travels hither and thither. It is only appropriate that we bestow a banner upon him. Zenmaster Yucho has brushed this fantastic scroll, especially for Doksung Sun. It keeps going, hold it. Stay there for a picture. Photo up. One, two, three.

unknown 12:28

That button.

SPEAKER_07 12:34

No, it's not, doesn't come.

unknown 12:36

Come on.

SPEAKER_07 12:40

Il sim tong.

SPEAKER_13 12:49

One your mind is and is silent.

SPEAKER_07 12:56

Still, yes, sir. Silent, still, quiet.

SPEAKER_13 12:59

And silent then mean and all over to that heaven. And all over to very peace is a happy. That's a letter meaning. Shim. Thank you.

SPEAKER_07 13:32

Now yours. Now you deal with it. Barbara.

SPEAKER_13 13:36

Barbara. Come in. Take it in. You hold it. Don't worry.

SPEAKER_06 14:03

So you have something?

SPEAKER_04 14:06

Yes. She's like, well. I just I I'm not watching.

SPEAKER_11 14:44

I was like, is my phone on or something?

A Member’s Story Of Finding Home

SPEAKER_11 14:47

Oh. Good morning, everyone. Go on, Sam Bosa. As we celebrate this wonderful 17th anniversary, I've been reflecting on how a single moment can quietly change the course of a life. About 11 or 12 years ago, I received a call from my friend Kelly asking if I could help locate a new home for the Zen Center. Thanks to Kelly, I'm here today. At the time, I didn't even know what a Zen Center was. Sometime later, I happened to see one of Kelly's Facebook posts inviting people to a healing arts class. I think it was called Peaceful Warrior. And it mentioned that it was for stress relief. It came into my life at exactly the right time. So I decided to attend. I was then invited to attend a Sunday service and attended that. Looking back now, I wasn't simply walking into an exercise class. My daughter Jasmine and I were walking into a community that would become our second home. Over the years, we both found lasting friendships, wonderful teachers, and a sangha that became family. But this story isn't about me. I think this story resonates with everyone in this room. I believe everyone in this room came through these doors for a reason. Each of us arrived with our own story. And each of us has been touched in ways we never expected. This is the most quiet, this is the quiet magic of this place. Life-changing experiences we've all witnessed. Today, I would like to offer my deepest gratitude to our founders, Federal Ilcho Dosanim and Yanwa Bolsenim, for their vision. And that's on behalf of the entire Sangha as Jinjo president. Their vision and dedication planted the seeds from which Soshemsa has grown. I'm equally grateful to our beloved abbot Myangan Sunim for his compassionate leadership and steady guidance, and to Daksun Sunim and Mousang Sunim, whose wisdom and practice continue to enrich our Sangha every day, not just on Sundays. As you enjoy today's celebration, I invite you to spend a few moments enjoying the displays that you will see around throughout the cafe and the hallways and the lunchroom. These are the visions of our future, Soshim Sa. Please view them with open hearts and open minds. It is our vision for everyone here, for our future, which will be for all of us and for generations to come. They are more than plans for buildings. They are expressions of hope and our shared commitment to what Soshim Sa has become and can become. As these dreams come to fruition in the years ahead, they will bless all of us who are here today while creating a welcoming home for countless others who will one day walk through these doors just as we all did. Very special thank you to all of the Shindo members for all of your presence, compassion, hard work, and always showing up. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this extraordinary journey. Please include those as your vision boards in your daily prayers, because it is a vision for all of us. So make those your vision boards. Thank you.

SPEAKER_06 18:57

Thank you.

The Doorman Story And Open Gates

SPEAKER_07 19:34

Many moons ago and many summers ago, in a mystical faraway land called Elizabeth, New Jersey. There was a church, which a schoolmate of mine volunteered at. And as such was in possession of the coveted set of church keys. Among those keys was a key to the magical realm of the church's steeple. We like to climb this groaning spiral staircase to sit in a bell tower, partially for the views, partially for the strange sense of isolation and aloofness from the world below that comes from being in high places, and partially to get our hair blown around while we listened to the wind howling through the open window slats. One day, much like any other day, I made my pilgrimage to meet my friend at the hallowed church grounds. As I climbed the marble stairs to the main entrance, I looked up to see a little old lady. I remember everything about her as clear as day. I remember her immaculately ironed dress and her pristine white collar, her carefully applied tasteful makeup. I remember her little old lady feet in her little old lady shoes, her church hat and her matching clutch. The whole ensemble time traveled from another now gone era. I remember her little old lady hand in her little old lady glove, reaching for the disproportionately enormous door handle, attached to even more so ginormous church door, thick wooden planks held together with brass bands and reinforced with brass studs. The little old lady stood no chance. Naturally, I reached up and heaved the great over engineered door. Which opened with a strangely meaningful squeak. The little old lady looked up at me, and with her little old lady voice said two little words. Thank you. Now, I don't know if you've ever heard the soul speak. It's not in words, but in a deafening roar. It is as if a powerful wind swept down from heaven and punched you in the chest. And for a moment your breath is knocked out of you. But your next inhalation is as if you've entered the world for the very first time again. It is as if you now know something truly true. When the soul speaks, it means it. And what is meant is said, and what is said is understood. And two little words become wordless for language betrays truth. How about that trivia now? What did the young young and want to be when he grew up? The answer. Who's got the answer? I wanted to be, and I became a doorman. You know, when I yanked that gigantic church door open, the first lines of Won Hill Palishin Su Heng Jang came to my mind. The gates of heaven are unobstructed, yet few are those who enter them. This is because they take their afflictions as their true possessions, and make their home among the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance. The evil realms have no real power to seduce us. Yet many enter them. The deluded mind values the four elements and the five sense desires as if they were precious jewels. Today we are still opening doors. Doors of many kinds. Doors that lead into and doors that lead out. Doors that lead towards and doors that lead away. Doors that lead to and doors that lead from. There are doors that lead into the human heart and spirit. Doors that lead out of selfish egocentricism. Doors that lead away from greed, anger, and ignorance, and doors that lead towards generosity, patience, and wisdom. Doors that lead from suffering to unimagined peace. There are doors that transform, that unbind, doors that free and release. Although there are far too many doors to mention here, simply put, what we do here at Soshimsa is open the doors from hell to heaven. Undoubtedly you've noticed the little Dong Jia. These Dongja have been listening to the teachings for a long time. They know a lot. Yeah.

Flowers As Practice And A Smile

SPEAKER_13 26:08

Today as a seventeen years older than social. Yes? You know it?

SPEAKER_04 26:18

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_13 26:19

I'm proud of it. Seventeen years. It's a high school graduated. Today it's a graduated high school and social. What you mean? Now start working. Now start the one step for social development. We're going to college. Yes, sir. Everybody help.

SPEAKER_10 26:43

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_13 26:45

Yes?

SPEAKER_10 26:45

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_13 26:53

So today is a very happy. And I'm gonna ask you something. We have a lot of flower here. Unhappy, and so you see the flower. Happy hands up. Why flower? Look at it. You don't know. Flower is a smile. Yes? The flower? Life is in a long way. How long is a flower? Loud? Weak. Yeah. So everybody have your flower. And in your life flower. What is that? No. You have a flower. Well you have a flower, but you don't know that. Right? Yes? Flower is a smile. I give it to your flower, everybody. Are you ready?

SPEAKER_04 28:27

Yes.

SPEAKER_13 28:33

Now you understand.

SPEAKER_04 28:34

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_13 28:35

Everybody look each other, give it to flower, everybody each other. Some s you know, I don't like this. Some some people just smile. Why? He doesn't know smile it. Looks like you're angry. One more time. Open mouth. That's why my man sends him so that making plan that happy smile to your house. Dead, smile, never dead. We are dead. They're not dead. What is it? It's a smile. It's a happy your house, your home, always a happy. Never angry. When you there angry time, go look at it. Okay?

SPEAKER_00 29:52

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. That's alright? Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_06 30:06

Put that in and send him people.

SPEAKER_14 30:24

Yogi would do it. So are yogi is about the children.

SPEAKER_11 30:33

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_13 30:35

Happy Hamily.

SPEAKER_11 30:37

Thank you very much, sir.

SPEAKER_13 30:42

So smile.

SPEAKER_12 30:51

Okay, happy.

SPEAKER_14 31:00

Some she' good.

SPEAKER_12 31:04

Oh beautiful flower. Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 31:24

Who's up next? Keep an eye on me.

SPEAKER_13 31:33

Thank you, man.

SPEAKER_15 31:34

Thank you, man. And then who goes?

SPEAKER_06 31:40

Thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_15 31:46

They're in line now. I'm I'm direct.

SPEAKER_12 31:52

Open happy.

SPEAKER_15 31:55

Especially the ones. Congratulations, right? Every rock is.

SPEAKER_06 32:06

You guys go with swallow. Uh start the food.

SPEAKER_13 32:21

Not not. Mmm.

SPEAKER_06 32:25

Open. Doesn't matter. It's your heart.

SPEAKER_13 32:28

It doesn't matter. It's a no problem. Just open.

SPEAKER_15 32:41

Come this way. Come this way.

SPEAKER_13 32:45

Yeah, beautiful. Ah yes, beautiful.

SPEAKER_12 32:56

Hi, baby. Ah, yes. Very good. Okay.

SPEAKER_13 33:10

You have a two, not a one. No, no, no.

SPEAKER_14 33:19

Okay, thank you.

SPEAKER_13 33:24

Hi, man. Beautiful. Ah, the smile is really beautiful. Smile. No, it is not smile. Open mouth. Ah, okay, good.

SPEAKER_14 33:43

I say Bogella. You understand?

SPEAKER_06 33:46

Give me a hand. Yes.

SPEAKER_12 33:49

Come from kids.

SPEAKER_13 33:59

As a beautiful man.

SPEAKER_14 34:01

Thank you.

SPEAKER_13 34:03

Happy.

SPEAKER_00 34:04

Happy. Thank you. Always.

SPEAKER_13 34:06

Always happy.

SPEAKER_12 34:12

Hi. As a beautiful Thank you.

SPEAKER_13 34:18

Beautiful so I'm all done. Good healthy. Oh yeah, beautiful.

SPEAKER_12 34:29

Good, good, good.

SPEAKER_06 34:34

I'm good.

SPEAKER_04 34:40

I'm so glad you think.

SPEAKER_13 34:46

Oh, is it big? No, you're big, too big.

SPEAKER_09 34:49

Can you do battling, Cass? Say thank you.

SPEAKER_12 34:55

I like it.

SPEAKER_09 34:56

Go ahead, put it in.

SPEAKER_04 35:00

Thank you.

SPEAKER_12 35:03

Go ahead, do that. She did that one before. She did it.

SPEAKER_13 35:09

Oh, no, big oh, it's good enough. Hi. Hi smiley. Is it same same? Hi, Barbara. Always a thank you very much.

SPEAKER_08 35:28

Always thank you.

SPEAKER_13 35:30

Thank you. Happy I've seen wrong time. I know.

SPEAKER_12 35:44

Don't give it to her. Is that our chat? Is that our cat?

SPEAKER_03 35:53

I like all of them.

SPEAKER_12 35:57

Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 35:58

Congratulations on this one.

SPEAKER_13 36:01

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Then your pummel today. That's good enough.

SPEAKER_14 36:16

We've done it all the time.

SPEAKER_13 36:19

Thank you very much. We never forget.

SPEAKER_07 36:25

It's to make sure nothing catch nothing hitches a ride. Spiritually purified. So a good question that Kelly just brought in on the bottom of your tongue. There's a symbol. It's not just something that we did, right? We prayed. So the bottom symbol is an eviction notice for whatever spiritual impurities might have been in it. We don't want to send my a spiritually soiled, I think, to your house. Yes.

SPEAKER_06 37:11

So because you pray for and everything.

SPEAKER_09 37:14

If you bow to it or it would be okay.

SPEAKER_03 37:17

So pute.

SPEAKER_05 37:18

Right, don't worship it. You look at it. What is you supposed to look at it for? No, smile. The smile. Yeah. I am happy.

SPEAKER_15 37:32

So when I watch things when I come down, go yana.

SPEAKER_14 37:59

Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 38:04

Okay, I believe the lunch is ready. This is uh good time. So please enjoy the comrade ready. We're good for lunch?

SPEAKER_14 38:16

No. No. We're not good for lunch.

SPEAKER_02 38:22

Please don't leave yet. We're not done with you.

SPEAKER_07 38:28

Oh, don't leave yet. Here we go, boss.

SPEAKER_15 38:32

Yana.

unknown 38:38

Why?

SPEAKER_14 38:40

You don't have to bear my shit.

SPEAKER_15 38:49

And everybody's got a big one.

SPEAKER_07 38:51

Yes, you have a microphone.

SPEAKER_02 38:54

What are you?

SPEAKER_13 38:58

I have a microphone.

SPEAKER_02 39:02

Everyone please come back into the room, please. But there's a box.

SPEAKER_15 39:08

That's that's good.

SPEAKER_06 39:13

Sit down, please, because uh there's too much sit down.

SPEAKER_03 39:30

So I need you to sit down.

SPEAKER_06 39:32

Do you want me to sit down?

SPEAKER_15 39:52

You could chuck it up. Jeremy and you can't.

SPEAKER_07 39:56

I am told to sit down and be quiet.

SPEAKER_14 40:03

Jeremy no.

SPEAKER_05 40:16

I don't know what's happening.

SPEAKER_15 40:19

I can lay it.

SPEAKER_11 40:21

I don't want to put this on the floor. I don't want to put it on the floor, but you hold it. You can hold it.

SPEAKER_05 40:32

Uh no bar of panic. This is as much a surprise to you as to me. Hold it?

SPEAKER_07 40:39

Yes, please.

SPEAKER_04 40:43

What is it?

SPEAKER_07 40:43

Begging? I have a real begging ball, you know.

SPEAKER_11 40:48

I do. Well, I that's what I got when I got script. That's fine.

Surprise Birthday And Chocolate Wisdom

SPEAKER_11 40:55

As we continue our celebration today, we have one more special celebration to honor. My stood in for his birthday, which he never likes us to do, but we do it anyway. So we want to honor you and appreciate you today. In addition to our in addition to our in addition to our anniversary. So I need some volunteers. I'll call you out. All right.

unknown 41:34

No, we'll give you a spool of all.

SPEAKER_11 41:36

Okay, Jackie, you come over. Jackie's gonna be my assistant. Now, is there an extra chair? I need a chair because I didn't want to ask you for an easel because then you would know something's up as usual.

SPEAKER_15 41:48

Uh oh, it's an option. I'm being off.

SPEAKER_05 41:53

Office.

SPEAKER_03 42:00

It might be you know adorned with gold, solid gold, sir.

SPEAKER_11 42:04

From your Sotumsa Sangha. With a stand-up.

SPEAKER_13 42:13

Happy birthday.

SPEAKER_11 42:15

Alright, you may have to hold it.

SPEAKER_05 42:19

Happy birthday for labor.

SPEAKER_11 42:25

Don't look.

SPEAKER_05 42:34

That's why we're saying the head started to the back.

SPEAKER_11 42:37

I know.

SPEAKER_03 42:48

Alright.

SPEAKER_11 43:08

Find these in this order. I'm sorry. Happy birthday, my asterinim. You may open your package.

SPEAKER_07 43:29

They see it first before I see it.

SPEAKER_11 43:30

Well, you can see it. You can look at it. As people come up with their thing.

SPEAKER_06 44:03

This wasn't a letter from your skin.

SPEAKER_11 44:21

That's it's supposed to be m removable. That's okay.

SPEAKER_05 44:28

How many Zamanks does it take to screw in a light bulb?

SPEAKER_04 44:33

None they're already in light bulb.

SPEAKER_07 44:37

But how many does it take to unwrap a gift?

SPEAKER_11 44:51

Can I do I look at it? You may look at it. Yes, thank you for.

SPEAKER_04 44:57

No, it's take up.

SPEAKER_11 44:59

It's it can move.

SPEAKER_10 45:29

Yeah, right.

SPEAKER_04 45:32

I think this is probably the right.

SPEAKER_11 45:33

That's fine. There we go.

SPEAKER_06 45:37

Okay, that's it.

SPEAKER_11 45:38

So this is the wisdom of Myangan Sunum as told by chocolate. So I need some help. Um these are the lessons we've learned from you. Song Shim.

SPEAKER_15 45:57

Here, I I'll It's eleven eleven, everyone.

SPEAKER_11 46:07

Read that to him and put that in the bas in the basket. Number one.

SPEAKER_00 46:11

When life gets into a crunch, remember that every challenge is another opportunity to practice.

SPEAKER_11 46:23

Wait, oh Song and Shim. And Songji, come next.

SPEAKER_02 46:32

When the mind becomes busy, take five and return to your breath.

SPEAKER_00 46:45

Number three. When life plays Twix, smile, bow, and peace.

SPEAKER_03 47:11

When we don't know that's a you one which ema call it.

SPEAKER_10 47:17

It's simply another invitation. When we don't know which ema call it, it's simply another invitation to learn.

unknown 47:33

Can I have that one?

SPEAKER_09 47:43

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 47:48

Sometimes during your drama talk, you can't help but snickers. Read this one and put it in that. Because your gardeners will all become because of your gardens, we all become smart. That's good that you don't know what that is.

SPEAKER_15 48:24

And then I question your childhood too.

SPEAKER_09 48:28

Someone practicing with you has been an almond joy.

SPEAKER_15 48:42

Yeah, here it is. No. Yeah, it is.

SPEAKER_02 48:48

Kelly. Kelly.

SPEAKER_15 48:50

Oh, it came off. Kelly.

SPEAKER_03 48:51

Kelly.

SPEAKER_15 48:52

Me? I have to read.

SPEAKER_03 48:54

Yes.

SPEAKER_15 48:58

Kim. Your kindness is worth more than a million grand to every one of us. Golden.

SPEAKER_11 49:14

You can hold you can keep it. This one's gonna be yours when it's time.

SPEAKER_06 49:27

So heavy.

SPEAKER_11 49:30

Just as Master Juan Heo discovered profound wisdom in the dark cave, you've taught us that our own. Special dark places and moments often become our greatest teachers.

SPEAKER_09 49:52

This one. Over here? Yeah. With deep bows. With deep bows, joyful heart, and just a little chocolate. Your social sangha family. Jackie, the PS one.

SPEAKER_08 50:09

All right. P.S. If any of the chocolate mysteriously disappears, we promise it was simply an exercise in non-attachment.

SPEAKER_11 50:25

Create it with gratitude, laughter, and a little bit of chocolate. Happy birthday, sir.

SPEAKER_13 50:34

Happy birthday. Everyone at the same time, happy birthday.

SPEAKER_08 50:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 50:48

Thank you.

SPEAKER_04 50:50

Eat the chocolate.

SPEAKER_06 50:52

Are we done with the corny stuff?

SPEAKER_11 50:56

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 50:56

Okay. We're done with corning.

Gifts, Gratitude, And Closing Moments

SPEAKER_11 50:58

If you if you've brought if you did bring a a token of appreciation, please feel free to present it and then um the rest of the top of them, right? Give me five minutes. Five minutes. The rest of you please come back to help in the kitchen. Yeah, my green folder.

SPEAKER_07 51:27

Meet me in the back room for the bigger.

SPEAKER_03 51:30

Yay. I mean, presenting.

SPEAKER_15 51:37

Oh my god. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. This is my favorite birthday song. So here you go, sir.

SPEAKER_06 52:12

She was listening to her finger music this whole time. Make a microphone.

SPEAKER_03 52:35

It's the happiest happy birthday song.

SPEAKER_04 53:10

I sprayed it.

SPEAKER_15 53:28

Wait, just wait for people to just go get some infinite.

SPEAKER_12 53:34

Wait on the Amazon dollars. I love those target.

SPEAKER_15 53:40

You gotta pay the toll to get through his door in GBC. He's the door man.

SPEAKER_06 53:52

You don't know the K pop uh parts parts, right?

SPEAKER_07 54:08

Thank you so very much. I think we could trickle down towards the foot. Yes. Don't forget your thumbs out. Those those really they're not just the statue. Yeah, happy broadcasts.