Seoul: Ven. Pomnyun, a prominent figure in South Korea, transcends religious boundaries with his insightful and spontaneous Dharma talks. His main Korean YouTube channel, which features his offline Buddhist teachings, has attracted a substantial following of over 1.6 million subscribers and accumulated billions of views, demonstrating the widespread appeal of timeless wisdom.
According to Yonhap News Agency, followers seek his guidance on a wide range of concerns from the lightest worries to the deepest struggles. The venerated monk says, however, he has never given anyone an answer to their questions. "I've never thought that I answer their questions," he said in a recent interview. "I am just engaged in conversation with them." He emphasizes helping people reflect and gain clarity so they can decide for themselves, rather than approaching issues from an ethical or legal perspective.
Last weekend, the Jungto Society, a community of practitioners founded in 1988 by Ven. Pomnyun to apply Buddhist teachings to real-world sufferings, held a three-day event called Youth Festa. The event, which revives his nationwide touring Youth Concert series from 2011-18, is designed to address the anxieties and struggles facing today's young Koreans. Ven. Pomnyun expressed his hope that the event helps young people find "hope in their lives" and encourages them to "step outside to build social connections."
Beyond serving as a mentor to his followers, Ven. Pomnyun is also an active author, and social and peace activist. The Jungto Society has multiple umbrella nonprofit organizations, including the Peace Foundation, founded in 2004 to promote permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. He is currently engaged in a three-year project in Bhutan focused on creating a sustainable, community-based development model through the Join Together Society, another Jungto Society affiliate.
The interview was conducted just one day after he returned from Bhutan. Expressing his regret over his hoarse voice, the 72-year-old monk hinted that he was considering wrapping up the Dharma talks he began in the early 2000s. "Perhaps it is time to bring this to an end," he said, adding that "You get tired of anything if you stick with it too long." After sharing his thoughts through books and talks, he feels he has said all he needs to say.