The History of Wookblocks of Korean Buddhist Canon

We were privileged to learn from Professor Robert Buswell of University of California Los Angeles who gave us many lectures on Buddhism in Korea. His lectures lasted two weeks. This video clip captures Professor Buswell's explanation of the history of making the woodblock prints of Korean Buddhist Canon. The Tripitaka Koreana made of woodblocks is a national treasure in Korea and an amazing achievement of the past. The Unesco World Heritage temple Haeinsa holds 81,340 woodblocks today. It took 16 yeas to complete the woodblocks.

Experiencing Religion, Culture and Society in Korea: A Spa Journey 2008

This is the DVD produced for the undergraduate module SR3028 Religion, Culture and Society in Korea organized by Dr. Mahinda Deegalle. It is a reedited version to place in the web. For the first time, a team of Bath Spa students went to Korea in June 2008 for one month to initiate the international exchange between Bath Spa University and Dongguk University. This programme has been funded twice now by the British Council and as a result, it has become an important part of international education programme in the School of Humanities and Cultural Industries as well as Bath Spa University. Now every year we welcome several Korean students from Dongguk University to our programmes at Bath Spa. We are also now in the process of producing another DVD this year on the basis of our journey to Korea in July 2009.

Food with Flavour and Aesthetics

In Korea, food has flavour as well as aesthetics. The national staple Kimchi was a main part of diet as it is today. A side dish of spiced Kimchi was found in all three meals. To sustain life in long winters a variety of vegetables traditionally were preserved in jars like this.

Deegalle on Bath Spa 'Study of Religions and Ethics" and International Programme

Dr. Deegalle describes his research activities and the "Study of Religions and Ethics" degree programme at Bath Spa University with new developments of expanding international cooperation to Korea with a student exchange with Dongguk University, South Korea funded by the British Council.

Experiences Remembered!

Yesterday I visited Korean Cultural Centre in Trafalgar Square in London. Suddenly I remembered my favourite food and sites that I was familiar with when I visited Seoul a few weeks early. Perhaps, our students too have memories to cherish! Many dishes to taste! Many photos to take!!

Temple Stay at Yongjusa

The Bath Spa team spent one-night temple stay at Yongjusa temple in Kyunggi on 14-15 July 2009. This was an special occasion since Angharad had a special cake for her birthday. The activities included the participation in the tea ceremony, making lotus lanterns, making a rosary, a meditation session with yogic exercise and a tour in the temple which included printing Buddhist scriptures. Keel University students joined Bath Spa team.

International Conference on Buddhist Meditation

On 13th July 2009, Dr. Deegalle participated in the International Conference on "Buddhist Meditation in Theory and Practice" hosted by BK21 Buddhist Studies in a Global Age of Dongguk University. Dr. Deegalle was the discussent for the paper on "The Theory and Practice of Meditation" deliverded by Professor Johannes Bronkhorst (University of Lausanne). Professor Robert Buswell (UCLA) presented a paper on "Kanhwa Son" meditation and the speakers were introduced by Professor Yong-pyo Kim of Dongguk University, Director of Brain Korea 21.