Short Summary
My birth name is "Chris" and my dharma name is "ShoYu", which means "genuine/authentic friend", and I am a practicing Zen Buddhist.
I have wanted to become a monk for several years, because the world needs people dedicated healing suffering and I have long felt pushed by an invisible force towards that path. The only reason I didn't become a monk years ago was because I had a romantic relationship that was so wonderful, that I simply was not willing to give it up.
In April, my beautiful partner of 8 years passed away. Her death was the most painful experience of my life, but it was also the cutting of the last tie that held me to the secular world. Since that fateful day in April, I have dedicated my life entirely towards healing the suffering off all beings (including my own).
My good friend, Jawoo Sunim, runs a small temple in Seoul and has agreed to allow me to work at her temple and has already made lodging arrangements for me at a local monastery.
What is Needed & What You Get
This fund will purchase a plane ticket to Seoul Korea where I
will spend 3 months in a monastery deepening my understanding of the
dharma and teaching English to the Korean monastic community.
Perks for donors are as follows:
- Daily prayer and incense offering for you for the length of the pilgrimage
- Handwritten thank you letter with picture and a special prayer card
- Mala (prayer beads) made and blessed by me!
Other Ways You Can Help
If you are unable to contribute, you can still help:
- Help make some noise about this campaign
- Use the Indiegogo share tools!
Thank you very much!