Buddhism Meets Capitalism
On Mudita Forum, Ross Barlow points out this interesting article:
GANGHWA ISLAND, South Korea — An hour’s drive to the west from Seoul, an enterprising businessman talks about plans for his homegrown businesses. In 1997, he opened up a steam bathhouse, and in his restaurant, he uses the plants from a nearby lotus field for tea and for naengmyeon, or cold noodles. He’s even thinking of creating a lotus patty and brewing lotus makgeolli, the traditional rice wine.
This entrepreneur doesn’t sport a dark suit or a tie, or even hair. Instead, the Venerable Seongwon wears gray robes as the head monk at Seonwon Temple on Ganghwa island.
Although Buddhism emphasizes spiritual enlightenment and avoiding worldly pursuits, the monk hopes to make 50 billion won ($43.5 million) not for himself, but for his dream of re-creating the original Seonwon Temple, whose history dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392).
See the full article for additional information.
