KOREAN BUDDHISM began in the 4th century CE during the Three Kingdoms Period. Centuries after Buddhism originated in India, the Mahayana (Hinduism as Buddhism's "Great Vehicle") tradition arrived in China through the Silk Road in the 1st century CE, then entered the Korean peninsula in the 4th century, from where it was transmitted to Japan.
In Korea, it was adopted as the state religion of three constituent polities of the Three Kingdoms Period, first by the Goguryeo (Goryeo) in 372 CE, by the Silla (Gaya) in 528 CE, and by the Baekje in 552 C [1].
Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what its early practitioners saw as inconsistencies within the Mahayana Buddhist traditions that they received from foreign countries. More
Blame aging culture or youth music?
Cultural hegemony: Is white Western culture ruining the lives of South Koreans in the East?
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OMG, we're not gay! We're K-pop boy idols.
K-pop (Korean 케이팝, RR Keipap, an abbreviation of "Korean popular music" [1]) is a form of popular music originating in South Korea [2]. The music genre that the term is used to refer to colloquially emerged in the 1990s as a form of youth subculture, with Korean musicians influenced by Western dance music, rap, hip-hop, R&B, and rock [3, 4, 5]. Today, K-pop commonly refers to the musical output of teen idol acts, chiefly all-girl groups and androgynous boy-bands, who emphasize visual appeal and performance [6] over substance and individual expression.
It's OK to be angry, but keep the hits coming.
They represent a corporate approach to profit making and an illusory bigger-than-life persona and emphasis on PR (public relations). As a music genre, K-pop is characterized by its melodic quality and cultural hybridity [7, 8, 9]. K-pop can trace its origins to "rap dance," a fusion of hip-hop, techno, and rock popularized by the group Seo Taiji and Boys, whose experimentation helped to modernize South Korea's contemporary music scene in the early 1990s [10, 11, 12]. Their popularity with teenagers led the music industry to start to focus on this demographic. More
Q:Why did it take exactly 108 days?A: The number 108 (a full mala or rosary) is considered sacred by the Dharmic religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. According to Sri Lankan Theravada scholar-monk Bhante G(abbot of the Bhāvanā Society in West Virginia), 108 is reached by multiplying the senses of smell, touch, taste, hearing, sight, and consciousness by whether they are painful, pleasant, or neutral, then again by whether they are internally generated or externally occurring, and again by whether they are in the past, present, or future. Finally, we get 108 feelings: (6×3×2×3 = 108). So the number 108 represents all the possible sensory states one could experience. More
Venerable Buddhist monks touch hearts during Walk for Peace in Virginia en route to DC
(ABC 7 News - WJLA) Feb. 6, 2026: “If you’re not at peace, where are we?" said Caroline County resident Sue Iszczenko while she and her daughter Kayla waited for the venerable Buddhist monks to walk past them on their route from Texas to Washington, D.C., promoting inner and world peace.
Hi, I'm Aloka the Peace Dog
In a time defined by [Trump] turmoil, with a nation fractured, hundreds came from far and wide, gathering roadside in rural Caroline County to witness 20 Buddhist monks [and a dog named Aloka] journey a portion of 2,300 arduous miles – from Texas to D.C. – advocating for harmony in a world gone haywire. More: wjla.com/news/local/venerable...
So sweet — when Buddhist monks walking for peace make everyone smile
(AmeriScope) Feb. 5, 2026: Some moments don’t need to be explained.
We see them — and we smile spontaneously.
This video captures one of those moments.
It is so sweet in its simplicity that Americans naturally slow down and feel lighter, even if for just a moment.
Nothing here is planned. Nothing is performed. The sweetness comes from small, human interactions — the kind that happen when kind people are present and open.
A smile appears unexpectedly.
Gestures are genuine.
Someone pauses, not because they have to but because they want to.
These moments change the world little by little because inner peace expresses as world peace.
They change the moment.
As part of the Walk for Peace, scenes like this appear along the road — not loud or dramatic, just quietly heartwarming. People notice without trying. They react without thinking. And suddenly, the space is warmer.
This movement isn’t about distance, destination, or purpose.
It’s about feeling.
It’s about how sweetness shows up when no one is trying to impress or persuade.
What is the way to such "sweetness"? The Buddha taught four sublime meditations called the Four Supreme Abidings:
loving-kindness (metta)
compassion (compassion)
joy in the joy of others (mudita)
unbiased looking on (upekkha)
It happens when people are simply themselves.
In a world that often feels rushed and heavy, moments like this land differently. They do not demand attention. They invite a smile.
Sometimes that’s enough.
This is a reminder that kindness doesn’t always look serious.
Sometimes, it just looks sweet.
What was the last small moment that made you smile without expecting it? #PeaceWalk #AlokaDog #Texas #WashingtonDC #SweetMoments #EverydayJoy #LittleThingsMatter #FeelGoodVideo #WarmMoments #LifeAsItIs
Buddhist Monks' Walk of Peace brings hope to Jackson, Mississippi
(16 WAPT News Jackson) Dec. 10, 2025: "They have sacrificed so much. Some of them are out here walking in sandals. Some of them are walking barefoot. So they're making sacrifices," says fan Kiffany Dugger. "They were welcomed with open hearts as Mississippians clung to every word they shared on the capitol steps," the reporter states.
(KALB Central Louisiana News, Weather & Sports) A group of Theravada Buddhist monks from Southeast Asia living in America bring message of peace to Louisiana, walking 2,300 miles over 120 days, having begun on Oct. 26, 2025, with their trusty dog Aloka.
(One Breath Stories) Song for Walk for Peace, true story, monks and Aloka walk Texas to DC
PEACE WALK: a peace march, sometimes referred to as a peace pilgrimage(yatra), is a form of nonviolent action where a person or group marches a set distance to raise awareness for particular issues important to the walkers.
(KFDM YouTube) Nov. 24, 2025: A group of Theravada Buddhist monks is persevering on their peace walk from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., despite facing challenges, including a recent auto accident in Dayton that injured two monks.
The monks or bhikkhusbegan their journey on Oct. 26th, 2025, at the Hong Dao Buddhist Temple and have covered nearly 300 miles. They aim to complete the 2,300-mile trek in 120 days.
The monks say their mission is to support a suffering society and promote healing worldwide.
"We try to spread that love, loving kindness, compassion, and hopefully that everyone will be living in harmony and unity, and that is our purpose of walking," they said.
Supporters have been inspired by the monks' dedication. One supporter shared, "I woke up my daughter and I was like, 'Hey, we got to go! And we flew here... I think it's awesome what they're doing."
Despite the accident involving a pickup truck hitting the monks, which left one hospitalized, the group remains committed to their journey.
"The surgery went well, and he's well, and he's happy. He supported this walk, and he wanted all the monks to continue walk in to finish this journey," they said.
The monks express gratitude for the support they have received along the way, as they continue their walk for peace.
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Have a news tip? Are Buddhist monastics up to more good? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@kfdm.com. Call the Newsroom: (409) 892-6622. KFDM is a Texas-based station and CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. KBTV is a Texas-based station and Fox Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates.
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(Houston Stringer) Walk for Peace: Buddhist monks and their dog Aloka (Pali "Light") stop at Laotian Wat Phouthasamakhy (Buddhist temple) in Houston, Texas
Buddhist vs. Shaolin monks: What's the difference?
Maling Shaolin Kung Fu Academy edited by Wisdom Quarterly
Shaolin Temple, nestled in the Songshan Mountains of China's Henan Province, is renowned for its rich history and dual traditions of Buddhism and martial arts.
Within its sacred walls, both peaceful Buddhist monks and Shaolin "warrior monks" live and practice, each following distinct paths of spiritual and physical cultivation, providing a fascinating glimpse into two distinct yet intertwined traditions.
Explore the daily lives, rites of passage, and unique practices of these Buddhist monks, revealing a rich tapestry of discipline, devotion, and heritage that continues to captivate and inspire people around the world.
A difference in monks
Buddhist monks can be found in various regions across the world, each embodying the diverse traditions and practices of Buddhism.
In [Mahayana Buddhist] China, there are multiple sects such as Chan (Zen) Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism [which claims to be a distinct branch called Vajrayana], each with its unique rituals, teachings, and monastic disciplinary codes.
Outside of China, Buddhism existed in an earlier form in countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, with Theravada Buddhism being predominant in Southeast Asia.
Mahayana Buddhism flourishes in East Asia, including financial powerhouses Japan and Singapore.
These regional differences lead to a rich variety of practices [and old and misleading distinctions like "Northern" and "Southern" schools, extant Mahayana vs. defunct Hinayana], from the monasticism of Theravada Southeast Asia to meditative and austere lifestyle of Japanese Zen monks to the vibrant rituals and chanting of Tibetan monks [and other Himalayan traditions in Nepal, Bhutan, India, Mongolia, and Russia].
Despite these regional differences, all Buddhist monastics (monks and nuns) share a common dedication to the principles of mindfulness (sati), ethical living (sila), and the pursuit of enlightenment (bodhi).
So what’s the difference between Chinese Mahayana Buddhist monks and Shaolin monks?
Buddhist monks
Literary monastics (wenseng) study
Religious affiliation: Buddhist monks adhere to the teachings and practices of "Buddhism" -- which might be divided between those who follow the historical Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) and those who have moved beyond that to devotional practices worshipping Cosmic Buddhas like Amitabha and Vairocana or great Bodhisattvas like Budai and Guan Yin.
Buddhism a spiritual tradition that encompasses many schools and sects. Buddhism originated in proto-India and spread to other parts of Asia [particularly South and Central Asia] then to China, where it became one of the three major religions along with Confucianism and Taoism.
Monastic orders
Warrior monks (wuseng) train to fight
Buddhist monastics belong to monastic orders or communities (sanghas), where they take vows of celibacy, poverty, and self-discipline.
They devote their lives to the pursuit of enlightenment and the alleviation of suffering, following the Noble (Ennobling) Eightfold Path and other Buddhist principles.
Spiritual practices
Buddhist monastics engage in a wide range of spiritual practices, including sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindfulness practices, protection (paritta) chanting, sutra recitation, and ritual ceremonies.
They seek to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and mindfulness through their practices, aiming to attain nirvana -- liberation from the cycle of rebirth and death known as samsara. More: Buddhist vs. Shaolin Monks: What's the Difference?
VEGAN Dr. Jane Goodall, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, was a remarkable example of courage and conviction, working tirelessly throughout her life to raise awareness about threats to wildlife, promote conservation, and inspire a more harmonious, sustainable relationship between people, animals, and the natural world. She passed away in her sleep. in the latter part of her life, she expanded her focus as a vegan/vegetarian and became a global advocate for human rights, animal welfare, species and environmental protection, and many other crucial issues. Donate to her legacy
"I stopped by the end of 60-something like that," Jane said of eating meat. The legendary Dr. Goodall has lived a life full of compassion and advocating for animals, sharing her immense knowledge with generations of people eager to soak up her wisdom. Dr. Goodall's climate activism has been astoundingly inspiring for countless compassionate people seeking a better, safer, healthier world, and she has clearly lived a long life as an environmental leader and role model. More: Jane Goodall: Here's why I stopped eating meat in the 1960s
She was considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, having studied the social and family interactions of wild chimps for over 60 years. She was scheduled to speak in Pasadena today, Oct. 1, 2025, for the local chapter of her Roots & Shoots and later this week at UCLA's Royce Hall.
Miss Goodall and the Wild Chimpanzees: National Geographic's 1965 documentary follows the experiences of British zoologist Jane Goodall, who spent five years studying chimps in Tanzania's Gombe Stream Preserve and discusses her belief that thorough understanding of chimpanzee behavior will lead humans toward a clearer understanding of themselves. (ThisOldVideo2: This is the 1988 edited version posted Feb. 6, 2021).
Another of Dr. Louis Leakey's legacies stems from his role in fostering field research of primates in their natural habitats, which he saw as key to understanding human evolution. He personally focused on three female researchers:
Jane Goodall,
Dian Fossey,
Birutė Galdikas.
He called them "The Trimates" [2][3]. Each went on to become an important scholar in the field of primatology. Leakey encouraged and supported many other doctoral (Ph.D.) candidates, most notably from Cambridge. As well, Leakey played a role in creating organizations for future research in Africa and for protecting wildlife. More
Death comes to us all. I wish I'd prepared more.
Goodall (born Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall and formerly known as Baroness Jane van Lawick-Goodall) first went to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, Africa, to observe its chimpanzees in 1960 [4].
As the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots program, Goodall has worked extensively on conservation and animal welfare issues.
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