Panorama of Events

Report from Korea

 

 

[Seoul] A nation-wide tour featuring Master's video lectures was held in Korea from May 23 to June 20, 1999, with showings in Pusan (May 23), Pohang (May 30), Taegu (June 5), Seoul (June 12), Wonju (June 13), Kwangju (June 19) and Taejon (June 20). During this period, initiates also attended the International Book Fair in Seoul on June 1-6 and held an exhibition of Master's Paintings in Kwangju on June 15-21.

The video lectures drew very positive responses and many audience members requested initiation and Convenient Method training. In Pohang, a local newspaper asked us to grant an interview. And a local journalist who had read Master's sample booklets helped us to advertise in a newspaper almost free of charge.

We also joined the Seoul International Book Fair, in which we take part every year. This year, we were surprised by the unusual and huge response of the people, who competitively visited us to receive sample booklets and flyers. The Seoul Center became extremely busy due to the influx of guests who read the materials.

Kwangju is the capital city of Cholla-do, with plenty of cultural treasures. In addition, the city frequently sponsors art events. Therefore, during this year's video lecture tour in Korea, we concentrated on exhibiting Master's paintings for one week. During the exhibition, we played Master's videos continuously and held a question and answer session. There was a surprising response. The event was covered by three Korean broadcasting companies: KBS, KBC, and MBC and four newspapers: the Kwangju Daily, the Moodeung Daily, the Chonnam Mail, and the Kwangju Times. One newspaper reporter said, "This is a rare and excellent painting exhibition. It is very difficult for one artist to create paintings of many different styles. I can only say I am greatly surprised." The reporter even telephoned her sisters and asked them to come and have a look.

The visitors who flocked to our booth included Mr. Oh, Byung-moon, the ex-Minister of Education; Mr. Lee, Yang-woo, the ex-superintendent of educational affairs; Kim, Jong-tae, the Chairman of the Kwangju Daily Newspaper, etc. Besides, many people ordered paintings according to their preference.

 

Caption:

1.
 International Book Fair in Seoul, Korea.
2.
Video lecture in Seolul, Korea.
3.
The Kwangju Daily, Korea June 12, 1999 Heading: "Painting" is a Way of "Enlightenment"
4.
The Chonnam Mail, Korea June 15, 1999 Heading: Supreme Master Ching Hai Kwangju Exhibition - The Power of Meditation in Paintings
5.
The Kwangju Times, Korea June 17, 1999 Heading: Inner World Expressed as Light
6.
The Moodeung Daily, Korea June 14, 1999 "Her disciples said this is a way to lead to enlightenment since the paintings expressed inner beauty. So to speak, the paintings are like Buddhist scriptures."
7.
The opening of Master's Painting Exhibition in Kwangju. First from left: Mr. Kim, Jong-tae, Chairman of the Kwangju Daily Newspaper; second from left: Mr. Kim Jong-wook, ex-director of a high school