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Korean Buddhist monk and famed activist brings his wisdom to LA

November 17, 2014

Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (법륜스님) champions human rights, environmental protection and Korean unification.

Venerable Pomnyun Sunim speaks inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Koreatown Saturday.

Venerable Pomnyun Sunim speaks inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Koreatown Saturday.

Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (법륜스님) visited Los Angeles this weekend to give lectures to Korean Americans and Angelenos alike.

The Korean Buddhist monk and famed activist spoke to about 300 people gathered inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Koreatown Saturday afternoon.

In a three-hour talk and Q&A session, the monk urged attendees to give happiness to others in place of harm.

Members of the crowd questioned Pomnyun Sumin about troubles with work, dreams, loneliness, confidence, religion and child education.

When asked by a man in the crowd who wanted to know how to stop solving problems based on others’ perceptions of him, the Sunim said the answer lies in self-reflection and asking “why.”

In another question about dreams, he said the important thing when chasing a dream is to be prepared to accept failure as well.

Pomnyun Sumin, who received the Ramon Magsayay Award for peace in 2002, champions human rights, environmental protection and Korean unification.

He held another lecture at the University of California, Los Angeles Sunday and will continue at Riverside’s St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic Church at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Call 213-700-0502 for more information.