Mindfulness Meditation · Fluidity
This week’s meditation session is led by Reverend Doyeon Park and the theme is Fluidity. The guided meditation begins at 14:00.
Coral Mask of Begtse; Mongolia; early 20th century; Papier-mâché, coral, metal, fabric; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2006.41.1a-k
Begtse is the protector of the leader of Mongolian Buddhism, the Bogda Gegeen, who plays a prominent role in Mongolian ritual dance. In Mongolian monasteries an annual masked dance known as tsam (cham in Tibetan) focuses on the elimination of negative energies, specifically the eradication of forces that block the path to enlightenment.
Masks such as this one are donned during tsam dances. The intention behind wearing the mask is to dispel the forces that obstruct us, allowing us to live life with a greater sense of harmony and fluidity.
Masks such as this were made only in Mongolia and are exceptionally rare. This heavy mask is decorated with roughly six thousand pieces of coral. It would have been worn by a specially selected strong young monk who could manage the weight. A framework inside of the mask enabled the monk to see through the mouth of the mask. This mask is a potent visual reminder of the mental fortitude required to nullify the forces that bind us.
Reverend Doyeon Park is a gyomunim, a title in the Won Buddhist tradition that means “one who devotes oneself to teaching the Dharma.” Since 2008 she has served as a minister at the Manhattan Won Buddhist Temple and as the Won Buddhism representative to the United Nations. In addition, she serves as the Buddhist spiritual life advisor at both Columbia University and New York University, the president of the Buddhist Council of New York, and cochair of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations.
Inspired by the Buddhist path of inner freedom and happiness, Reverend Doyeon began her monastic training in 1998. She earned her BA from the Department of Won Buddhism at Wonkwang University in Iksan, South Korea, and completed her MA in Won Buddhist Studies at the Won Institute of Graduate Studies in Glenside, Pennsylvania. She received full ordination in 2007.
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