왕의 정원 ‘창덕궁 후원’에서 즐기는 아침 산책

Beat the Heat This Summer! Challenge Yourself with a Walk in a Buddhist Temple Grove with Kkot Seunim (Flower Monk)!
- Aiming to Combat Climate Change and Revitalize Local Communities
through the Activation of Buddhist Natural Heritage…
Ambassador Appointment Ceremony Followed by a Grove Walk with Local Residents (August 13, Bulhoesa Temple, Naju)-

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS, Administrator Choi Eung-Chon) will appoint Ven. Beomjeong—affectionately known as “Kkot Seunim(Flower Monk)” and a guiding teacher of Bosalpida(By practicing the life and discipline of a Bodhisattva, one blossoms the flower of enlightened compassion)—as the Ambassador for Buddhist Natural Heritage during a ceremony at Bulhoesa Temple in Naju on Tuesday, August 13, at 10 AM. Following the ceremony, a grove experience event will be held in collaboration with the Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS, Acting President Seong Ki-Hong).

ⓒ hy인산인터넷신문

Ven. Beomjeong, who has garnered widespread attention on social media for promoting Buddhism to the masses, will, as a newly appointed Ambassador, participate in a grove experience event with local residents. This event aims to discover and highlight the Buddhist Temple Groves, a valuable component of Buddhist Natural Heritage in the region. Ven. Beomjeong plans to continue participating in various Natural Heritage experience programs organized by the KHS, allowing visitors to find peace of mind and body in nature.

Buddhist heritage accounts for approximately 60% of Korea’s national heritage, and among these, the Buddhist Temple Groves located in temples and surroundings nationwide are particularly significant. These ancient forested areas boast significantly higher carbon storage capacity compared to urban forests and have been designated as Korea’s Natural Monuments and Scenic Sites. Recently, they have become popular as spaces for K-Buddhist meditation, offering healing for the body and mind of modern individuals.

Previously, the KHS signed an agreement with the BBS in March to promote K-Buddhist meditation by developing meditation education materials using Buddhist temple groves, such as the one at Bulhoesa Temple in Naju. Additionally, programs have been prepared through the Institute of International Exchange & Education at Mokpo National University, allowing participants to experience the value of Korea's Natural Heritage.

The Ambassador Appointment Ceremony on August 13 will be attended by key officials from the KHS, Naju City, and the BBS. After the presentation of the appointment certificate, Ven. Beomjeong will lead a forest walk with Naju residents, foreign students from the Institute of International Exchange & Education at Mokpo National University, and others. The event, titled "The Poetic Breeze Blowing Through the Temple Grove in Midsummer," will include K-Buddhist meditation and other activities. Additionally, poets from Do-dong Hill of Poem Monument will participate in a poetry writing and recitation session, allowing attendees to create and share their own poetry. Outstanding poems will receive awards after the event.
*Do-dong Hill of Poem Monument: A literary organization established to protect the Forest of Oriental Arborvitae, Dong-gu, Daegu (Natural Monument)

Moving forward, the KHS will continue to engage the public by conducting Natural Heritage education programs based on the traditional ways our ancestors appreciated these treasures. The KHS also plans to develop various regional initiatives to promote carbon neutrality and boost local tourism.
*Scenic Site Appreciation Methods: The Joseon-era text Imwon Gyeongjeji, specifically the Leisure Life (Yiwoonji, 怡雲志) section under "Scenic Site Appreciation," provides detailed records of how scenic sites were enjoyed by composing poems and leaving inscriptions, such as rock carvings, to celebrate the landscape. Notably, in Lee Hyun-woon’s Yeonggwidangseo, it is stated that "A scenic site becomes truly meaningful only when it is praised in poetry and recorded in writing," illustrating the traditional ways our ancestors appreciated natural heritage.