4. Resolution
For English readers
This piece has been published before. If you have already read it, please feel free to skip it. As “My Five Years of Cultivation in the U.S.” is likely to continue, I am now compiling these writings into a Brunch Book, and I appreciate your understanding.
③ How did I end up going to the U.S.?
'Wait—come to think of it, I didn’t worry about my back at all!'
My legs hurt so much that I probably didn’t even have the mental space to think about my back. Still, it surprised me.
'Maybe… if I do it like this, I can actually sit well?'
It felt like I had found a clue in the full lotus posture.
Benchmarking!
Go to the U.S., learn more about the full lotus posture, and use it back in the Seonbang.
I had already registered for the summer retreat in Korea, so that meant it was decided—winter retreat in the U.S.!
Once I signed up for this spring program and set my mind on leaving in winter, the waiting felt long. In the meantime, wanting to go to America in a better state of cultivation, I practiced full lotus even more diligently.
Around autumn, as Sunims formally register for the Bangbu(房付)* for the retreat, I contacted Wei Mountain Temple (WMT) in the U.S.
I carefully packed my bags, imagining the room I would stay in for three months… and after a long journey, I finally arrived in America.
Shana Han—the full-lotus blogger—had ordained and become Ven. XianAn, and she came to the airport to pick me up.
As Ven. XianAn drove to WMT, she said,
“It rarely rains in LA, but for some reason it rained today—and there’s even a rainbow.”
At last, the spire and cross of WMT—the place I had longed to visit—came into view.
I had heard that WMT was a former church building, and I had seen photos before.
So it wasn’t entirely new, but I still thought, Ah… it really is a church.
The entrance led underground. When the door opened, it felt like entering a cave—almost like a dungeon.
Dark and dim.
That was my first impression.
Two Korean Sunims warmly welcomed us.
They had already come on religious visas and were practicing there.
Perhaps they had just come from work—they looked a bit worn and untidy.
They said they would show us the room, so I followed them.
After the long flight, I was tired and just wanted to unpack and rest.
Still, with quiet anticipation, I followed Sunims and watched as the door opened…
* Bangbu(房付): formally registering to stay at the Seonbang for a fixed period(usually 90 days) to participate in retreat practice.
WMT in Rosemead, LA. The cross that once stood on the spire has now been taken down.(To be continued)