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New Age nut John Kerry: 'I'd like to visit Korea's Buddhist Holy Sites.'
chosun. ^ | Updated Feb.23,2004 18:47 KST | Kim Chang-ki, ckkim@chosun.com

Posted on 08/12/2004 2:03:07 PM PDT by dennisw

 

 

 

Kerry: 'I'd Like to Visit Korea's Buddhist Holy Sites.'

Senator John Kerry
Possible Democratic Party Presidential Candidate John Kerry and the Korean Buddhist martial art of Shim Gum Do. Although the two might not appear to go together, a certain karma has been developing between them for the last 10 years. Kerry is very close to Shim Gum Do's founder, Zen Master Kim Chang-sik, and has been a very strong supporter of Kim's activities in the United States. They exchange letters once a month to exchange views on Zen and spiritual discipline, and meet whenever the need arises.

Just to give you an example of how close the two are, when Kerry's father passed away in 2000, he secluded himself at home to console his grief-stricken mother. He met with no one. No one, that is, except Zen Master Kim, whom it's said he met even then. According to those associated with Shim Gum Do, Kerry is not a student of the practice, but is know to have much interest in Eastern Zen and other forms of spiritual training. Although he's never visited Korea, he is reported to have said he would like to visit Buddhist holy spots in this country.

Shim Gum Do espouses "Zen through the sword," and while it is still quite unknown in Korea, it has been spreading in the United States. This is because its founder, Zen Master Kim, went to the United States in 1974 and set up shop in a neighborhood of Boston. With its headquarters at Shimgwang-sa Temple in Boston, the World Shim Gum Do Association (www.shimgumdo.org) has 20 temples throughout the United States, including branches in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Mary J. Stackhouse, an American practitioner of the 12 (and highest) rank, has been entrusted as the abbot of Shimgwang-sa Temple.

Korean Buddhist Martial Art, Nearly 20,000 American Practitioners

Zen Master Kim Chang-sik, founder of president of the World Shim Gum Do Association

There are about 20,000 Americans who have studied Shim Gum Do, with 9,500 of those attaining grades. Owing to the headquarter's location in Boston, known for its famous universities, the art counts among its disciples many professors, lawyers, and other notable individuals. Besides propagating Shim Gum Do, Kim also gives lessons on Zen meditation near Harvard University, MIT, and Boston College. Sen. Kerry's ties with Shim Gum Do have much to do with Boston being within Kerry's electoral district -- the state of Massachusetts.

The core of Kerry's ties with the Korean art goes back to his second marriage in 1995. Kerry married the widow of friend and fellow senator, John Heinz of Pennsylvania, who was killed in a plane accident in 1991. Through this marriage, he gained three stepchildren, the eldest of whom is one of the top leaders of Shim Gum Do. Because of this, Kerry's family has maintained a special relationship with the Korean martial art. Kerry gets along extremely well with his stepchildren, the youngest of whom is helping his father with his presidential campaign.

Heinz Empire Inheritor With the Shaved Head

John Heinz V, who will inherit the Heinz food and condiments empire, is head of the World Shim Gum Do Association's secretariat. He began practicing Shim Gum Do in his second year of university. "Shim Gum Do thinks of everything as the mind's sword, and is a martial art that wakes up the mind through act action. Through the mind's sword, pain and delusion disappear, and Shim Gum Do, which cultivates a pure mind, is Zen mediation that wakes one up through Active Zen, via the sword," said Heinz as to why he's devoted to the practice.

Shim Gum Do came to Zen Master Kim, who learned his Zen from Monk Sungsan of Hwagye-sa Temple, following a 100-day prayer session in 1965. Sungsan is quite famous for spreading Buddhism abroad, establishing nearly 150 temples worldwide. The art officially started with the formation of Korean Shim Gum Do in 1969, and in 1991 the World Shim Gum Do Association got underway. It now has branches in Japan, Italy, Poland, France, Norway, and other countries.

Shim Gum Do, considering its deep examination of the inner world, is along the same lines of Sonmudo, a Zen-based martial art well known within Korea. Said Kim Hyeong-ju, the head of Shim Gum Do within Korea, "With the mind's sword, I slash and slash all thoughts, and worldly thoughts disappear. I become immersed in a world of deep Zen."

(Kim Chang-ki, ckkim@chosun.com )



TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: kerry
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To: Maceman
I studied Shim Gum Do with Kim Chang-sik at his temple in Brighton, MA, and got my 1st Star Black Belt in Zen Sword there in 1991.

I respect all the oriental martial arts. You have a great story there about your Shin Gum Do studies with the master and with the young Heinz. I've driven by the place quite a few times... think it was on Chestnut Hill Ave in old church looking building.

21 posted on 08/12/2004 2:28:07 PM PDT by dennisw (Once is Happenstance. Twice is Coincidence. The third time is Enemy action. - Ian Fleming)
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To: dennisw

A Thai friend told me it literally means "I Pray You..." thank you, or good health, or whatever. He said when he did it to his professors it meant "I pray you don't beat me!" (he was kidding). That makes sense because I put MY hands like that when I'm praying too. In church. Not in greeting.


22 posted on 08/12/2004 2:29:49 PM PDT by johnb838 (John F'n Kerry: If you have to say you're cool (or a war hero), you're not.)
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To: Avenger
I would never be doing it in public in an American Presidential campaign. It reeks of phoniness when it's John Kerry doing it.
23 posted on 08/12/2004 2:30:58 PM PDT by dennisw (Once is Happenstance. Twice is Coincidence. The third time is Enemy action. - Ian Fleming)
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To: dennisw
With Kerry it's an au courant New Age thing that "hip" Americans do in places like California and Massachusetts.

I'm here, in CA, and I've YET to see someone do something that gay.

24 posted on 08/12/2004 2:31:56 PM PDT by Brad’s Gramma (If only hamsters could vote.......)
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To: dennisw
Kerry: 'I'd Like to Visit Korea's Buddhist Holy Sites.'

It's an excuse to get a 90,000 mile check up on his chip implant.

25 posted on 08/12/2004 2:33:41 PM PDT by Stentor
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To: Brad's Gramma

I'm here, in CA, and I've YET to see someone do something that gay....


You're not hanging out with the right people :)


26 posted on 08/12/2004 2:35:17 PM PDT by dennisw (Once is Happenstance. Twice is Coincidence. The third time is Enemy action. - Ian Fleming)
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To: dennisw

Re the picture; it is safe to say Kerry his enjoying his new teeth; and while we have seen his 'yellow band' on his wrist; does anyone know, just 'when' he started wearing it?


27 posted on 08/12/2004 2:36:25 PM PDT by cricket (Don't Lose Your Head. . .Vote Republican)
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To: spycatcher

Kerry would be a Southern Baptist if he thought it would get him more votes.


28 posted on 08/12/2004 2:39:06 PM PDT by Jaded ((Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. - Mark Twain))
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To: cricket

He's doing Kabbahala too?


29 posted on 08/12/2004 2:39:50 PM PDT by Jaded ((Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. - Mark Twain))
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To: dennisw
"That was Zen, this is now."

(someone had to say it)

30 posted on 08/12/2004 2:40:12 PM PDT by talleyman (John Kerry: The Manurian Candidate - he's seared - no, stir-fried - no, poached - no, flambeed!)
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To: dennisw

You're in your 60's, have faced and recovered from cancer, you have unlimited money and a no-show job, and you want me to believe that you are serious about wanting to visit someplace that you haven't yet found time for?


31 posted on 08/12/2004 2:40:43 PM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (Your Friendly Freeper Patent Attorney)
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To: dennisw
"It reeks of phoniness when it's John Kerry doing it."

Given that it bespeaks a 'certain humility'; it is a totally fraudulent and calculated gesture that Kerry does this.

Obviously a part of Kerry's 'outreach program'.

32 posted on 08/12/2004 2:40:47 PM PDT by cricket (Don't Lose Your Head. . .Vote Republican)
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To: Beelzebubba
"You're in your 60's, have faced and recovered from cancer, you have unlimited money and a no-show job, and you want me to believe that you are serious about wanting to visit someplace that you haven't yet found time for?"

No doubt, Kerry has visited Buddhist's shrines before this. . .just not in 'Korea'; this is a political gesture; flattering; showing them he identifies and appreciates 'Korea' and that he is still taking contributions.

33 posted on 08/12/2004 2:44:48 PM PDT by cricket (Don't Lose Your Head. . .Vote Republican)
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To: dennisw

First of all, I am sick-to-death that all shrines are "the holiest site" except for the Christian churches.... everytime you hear about one of the cities in Iraq, on television, radio and the newspapers, they call them "the holiest site". Second of all, Kerry is a CINO. (Catholic In Name Only)


34 posted on 08/12/2004 2:45:50 PM PDT by KingsKindred
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To: dennisw

Agreed. He is a phoney.


35 posted on 08/12/2004 2:51:11 PM PDT by Avenger
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To: dennisw

Kerry will do anything for votes. Now he's trying to corner the Korean Buddist monk vote.


36 posted on 08/12/2004 2:53:46 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: dennisw

LOL!!!

OK...I'll go out lookin' for new friends. Soon. Uh huh.


37 posted on 08/12/2004 2:55:21 PM PDT by Brad’s Gramma (If only hamsters could vote.......)
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To: spycatcher
I read somewhere recently that Kerry keeps a little buddha statue in his pocket and rubs the tummy for luck.

I have a little Buddha figurine on my mantle that a kindly shopkeeper in Cambodia gave to me as a gift. I cherish it. I'm not a Buddhist and don't rub it's belly for good luck, but I think having and keeping such things, if they bring you some joy, is harmless enough.

38 posted on 08/12/2004 2:58:17 PM PDT by tdadams (If there were no problems, politicians would have to invent them... wait, they already do.)
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To: Avenger
foriegn and as different as possible from the spirituality that their parents practiced that they are going to get enlightenment.

You nailed it...he's now pegged as a politician version of Madonna, what with her Shebang thingie.

39 posted on 08/12/2004 2:59:17 PM PDT by ErnBatavia ("Dork"; a 60's term for a 60's kinda guy: JFK)
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To: spycatcher

The "FAT BUDDHA" as you and most westerners come to know (thanks to Chinese restaurant with it giant statue at the entrance to the restaurant). IS NOT, I repeat IS NOT "the" Buddha. In fact, this "Fat Buddha" is a famous Buddist monk in Chinese history. He represent health and happiness. But he is NOT the real Buddha.


40 posted on 08/12/2004 2:59:52 PM PDT by frankcastle
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