June 15, 2010

While in South Korea after a Lonergan Conference at Sogang University in Seoul, Bro. Dunstan Robidoux accompanied by his friend Roland Krismer from Austria had an opportunity to visit the Benedictine Abbey at Waegwan. Abbot Simon Ri and Fr. Gabriel, the guestmaster, showed them gracious hospitality during their four-day stay and arranged for them to visit nearby historic sites: Gyeongju, an ancient Korean city, Bulguksa Temple (8th century), Seokguram Grotto (8th century), and Haeinsa, the largest Buddhist temple complex in Korea (begun in the 9th century). They found especially rewarding their hikes into the nearby hills, occasionally encountering Buddhist monks and nuns in their peaceful hermitages. The whole trip, he reports, was a blessing for which he is very grateful.