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Sonmudo, School of a Buddhist Art

About 20 years ago, Master Seol Jeog-un defied the Buddhist order and created a school that made a Korean tradition hitherto reserved for Buddhist monks available to the public. More than a sport, the Sonmudo is a way of living, thinking and being. A fascinating encounter with Master, a sport, a school and it's students.

Photographer
Thibaut Chapotot
Country
South Korea
Published
November 2002
Images
55
Reference
177-50038
Three monks training by the pagoda of Changhang-ri. The figures are inspired by animals. Painted and frescoed representations can be…177_50038_01 Drawing that shows the acupuncture spots on the body. This type of representation can be found in the prayer halls where monks, trainees…177_50038_02 Young children who have come for a few months summer training. This period allows them to evacuate negative energy and to be resourced…177_50038_03 Practicing of young trainees. Youngsters of all ages train together.177_50038_04 Kim is an ex-criminal, brought to the temple by the police. Today he is one of Master Seoul's best students.177_50038_05 Three young boys do their morning warm up jogging.177_50038_06 Shoes has to be removed before entering the temple, according to Buddhist tradition.177_50038_07 Young students at rest before the belt ceremony. The day before a feast was held accompanied by dance and music.177_50038_08 The great master guides the ceremony. It starts with a group prayer and chanting.177_50038_09 Trainees get prepared, according to age and level, to present their performance before reaching a superior level.177_50038_10 The youngest and the most experimented monks open the ceremony. This particular ceremony is that of the black belt, the level before the…177_50038_11 Great masters from other temples will be the judges during the ceremony.177_50038_12 The yellow belt is the ultimate level reserved for monks.177_50038_13 The candidates present their movements in front of the jury after long weeks of hard training.177_50038_14 The musicians accompany the youngsters during the performance.177_50038_15 The musicians accompany the youngsters during the performance.177_50038_16 The musicians accompany the youngsters during the performance.177_50038_17 The jury takes notes while the candidates receive their belts.177_50038_18 While receiving the blue belt, which corresponds to the first level of achievement, the great Master will give the pupil a Buddhist name…177_50038_19 Morning prayers at the main hall.177_50038_20 Master Seol Jeog-un in meditation near the temple. He is the founder of the 1500-year-old temple, which he renovated in the 70-s.177_50038_21 The future monks during a training session.177_50038_22 Morning meditation.177_50038_23 Morning meditation.177_50038_24 Morning meditation.177_50038_25 Monks get prepared for intense exercise near the Changhang-ri pagoda, which was built during the 8th century, in the time of Silla's…177_50038_26 A monk in the crane position during a training session. Seven postures are learned with time. The tiger, the dragon, the stag, the…177_50038_27 Master Seol Jeog-un doing breathing exercise. Sitting in a lotus or semi-lotus position, disciples reach an ultimate state of relaxation…177_50038_28 A drawing on the walls of the temple Pomosa, representing Sonmudo figures.177_50038_29 Future monks during a training session.177_50038_30 The Sonmudo is an esoteric teaching of Zen Buddhism. A bodily expression that some call a sport, through which a path is to be…177_50038_31 Le sonmudo, ecole d'un art Boudhiste. Dessin représentant les grandes figures du Sonmudo sur les murs du temple de Pomosa, berceau de…177_50038_32 The Sonmudo is an esoteric teaching of Zen Buddhism. A bodily expression that some call a sport, through which a path is to be…177_50038_33 The Sonmudo is an esoteric teaching of Zen Buddhism. A bodily expression that some call a sport, through which a path is to be…177_50038_34 Master Seol Jeog-un and his disciples do breathing exercise near Changhang-ri Pagoda.177_50038_35 Master Seol Jeog-un and his disciples do breathing exercise near Changhang-ri Pagoda.177_50038_36 The Sonmudo is an esoteric teaching of Zen Buddhism. A bodily expression that some call a sport, through which a path is to be…177_50038_37 The road leading to the waterfalls is an exercise in itself. By the end of it, one has to go through a cave protected by the four…177_50038_38 The road leading to the waterfalls is an exercise in itself. By the end of it, one has to go through a cave protected by the four…177_50038_39 Near pagodas, waterfalls of in caves, dance like movements follow up during the whole afternoon. To feel alive, to resource and feel the…177_50038_40 It's at the temple of Golgul that we can find the only hermitage caves in Korea. Their construction dates back to the 7th century. Monks…177_50038_41 This immense head of the Buddha Maya Tathagata sculpted in the rocks at Mont Hamwol, face turned toward the rising sun, is one of the…177_50038_42 It's at the temple of Golgul that we can find the only hermitage caves in Korea. Their construction dates back to the 7th century. Monks…177_50038_43 Visitors write down their wishes on these tiles and make money gifts. The tiles will be used to cover the roof of Imonjong-sa temple,…177_50038_44 It's at the temple of Golgul that we can find the only hermitage caves in Korea. Their construction dates back to the 7th century. Monks…177_50038_45 It's at the temple of Golgul that we can find the only hermitage caves in Korea. Their construction dates back to the 7th century. Monks…177_50038_46 Four guards protect the temple of Imonjong sa through which the monks have to pass in order to reach the waterfalls. Only those with a…177_50038_47 Morning meditation.177_50038_48 Children play a typical Korean game during a brief period of break.177_50038_49 Each morning, between prayer and training, some time is dedicated to daily chores.177_50038_50 The day of the belt ceremony, a feast animates the main hall. Sweets are served for the occasion. This is when we see children with…177_50038_51 All three meals of the day are identical. The masters and future monks eat in a separate room. Women prepare a vegetarian meal of white…177_50038_52 4 o'clock in the morning, time to wake up. Monks and trainees gather at the main hall in order to chant prayers accompanied by wooden.…177_50038_53 Facing the sea, Master Seol Jeog-un plunges in a state of meditation that allows him to reach a state of calm and enlightenment.177_50038_54 At dawn, man becomes one with the air and practices a traditional martial art, the pride of Korea.177_50038_55
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