Shinsunghwa: The Visualization of Venerable Pomnyun Sunim’s Spiritual Energy (2020)
What is ShinsungHwa?
ShinsungHwa is a unique form of spiritual art where drawings emerge through spontaneous, flowing movements. Artists tap into their subject’s energy and let Qi(氣) guide their hands, creating geometric patterns that serve as a universal language.
Venerable Pomnyun Sunim’s ShinsungHwa
In the ShinsungHwa of Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, the first thing that draws the eye is the ‘symbol of light’ radiating from the center of his body. It speaks of strength that is alive and active, suggesting a state of spiritual energy that is both balanced and healthy. Still, it is important not to overlook the presence of a square-shaped energy body, quietly anchoring the composition.
In a second ShinsungHwa of him, the surrounding energies come into focus. They appear steady, protective, almost like a current that keeps him grounded. Yet here too, there is another form—the pentagonal energy body—that deserves attention, carrying its own meaning within the larger flow.
Childhood and the First Steps Toward Monastic Life
In 1953, when Korea was still reeling from the scars of war, a boy was born in Uljin, a small coastal town in North Gyeongsang Province. That boy, who would later be known as Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (法輪, “Dharma Wheel”), grew up in poverty but with an unshakable curiosity about the world. Though his family had little, he learned the meaning of life in the bonds of neighbors and the warmth of shared meals.
As a child, he often asked questions adults could not easily answer. Why is life unfair? Why do wars happen? Those questions lingered as he grew older. In his twenties, he studied engineering, enjoying the logic and mechanics of machines. Yet a hollowness remained. The more he learned, the stronger his longing grew for answers to life’s deeper struggles: Why do people suffer? Is there a way out of that suffering? At the age of twenty-nine, he ordained as a monk. His Dharma name, “Pomnyun,” carries the meaning of turning the wheel of truth so that its teachings may reach the world.
The Birth of Jungto Society
After his ordination, he wanted his practice to reach beyond the meditation hall. In the late 1980s, he and like-minded companions founded Jungto Society (淨土會), a movement that literally means “Pure Land Society.” Their vision was not a utopian paradise but a community striving for a cleaner, more just, and more compassionate world.
From the beginning, Jungto Society stood apart from traditional temple culture. Its focus was not ritual but practice in daily life. Teachings were shared in ordinary words—about raising children, dealing with conflicts at work, or simply sitting down to eat with presence. Because of this, even people who had never set foot in a temple began attending his talks.
Dharma Talks for Ordinary People
Pomnyun Sunim’s talks rarely sounded like sermons. They unfolded like conversations. When someone asked a question, he often smiled before answering, as if he were a kind neighbor sitting across the table.
He avoided jargon, explaining Buddhist ideas with simple images. To describe mindfulness, for instance, he once said: “It means that when you eat, you can actually taste your food.” That plainness brought relief to many. Instead of lofty philosophy, people were given something they could practice in their kitchens, at their desks, and in their daily struggles.
By the late 1990s, when the internet began spreading in Korea, Jungto Society was among the first religious groups to share recorded talks online. Today, through YouTube and podcasts, people far beyond Korea listen to his voice and questions asked in village halls decades ago.
Peace Work and Social Engagement
For Pomnyun Sunim, compassion had to extend beyond meditation cushions. He believed that faith meant responding to suffering in the world. Jungto Society founded the Peace Foundation, focusing on reconciliation between North and South Korea, humanitarian relief in war zones, and campaigns for environmental protection.
Shipments of rice were sent to North Korea. Aid reached refugee camps abroad. These efforts brought him both respect and criticism. Some praised his courage, while others said a monk should not step into political issues. His response was simple: “When people are in pain, neutrality is not an option.”
Criticism and Controversy
Not everyone admired him. Traditional monks sometimes accused him of watering down Buddhist depth to appeal to the masses. Critics also pointed out that his public statements on politics could be oversimplified, or that his organization risked being perceived as partisan.
Questions were raised about the transparency of Jungto Society’s finances and organizational structure. Some media outlets pressed for clearer accountability. Over time, the Society has worked to refine its systems and open itself to scrutiny.
Through it all, Pomnyun Sunim has not claimed to be a flawless teacher. He often reminds his listeners: “I’m still learning, too. Don’t just take my words as truth. Test them in your own life.”
Healing Through Questions and Meditation
Perhaps his most recognizable practice is called Jikmun Jikseol (卽問卽說)—“immediate questions, immediate answers.” A person stands up and speaks about a worry, and he replies on the spot.
When a parent says, “My child and I fight all the time,” he answers, “Don’t try to fix your child. See them as they are.” When someone admits, “I’m afraid of death,” he says, “Death is nothing special. You exhale, and if you can’t inhale again, that’s death.”
The answers are strikingly plain. And yet their very simplicity makes them powerful. They cut through fear and complexity to reveal something obvious but often overlooked.
Jungto Society also runs meditation programs. Participants learn to pause, breathe, and observe the mind. Many report feeling lighter, as if they’ve set down a heavy burden they had carried for years.
The Present and Beyond
Now in his seventies, Pomnyun Sunim continues to travel, teaching in Korea and abroad. Jungto Society has grown into an international network, with activities in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
His journey has never been about grand miracles or extraordinary visions. It has been about listening carefully to everyday people, answering their questions, and practicing together in ordinary life. That ordinariness, perhaps, is what makes his work endure.
The story of Pomnyun Sunim and Jungto Society is not one of triumphal monuments or dramatic revelations. It is the story of a monk who chose to stay close to people, to speak in their language, and to remind them of what is already within reach.
He often ends with a message as simple as it is steady:
“Life begins here, in this moment. Both suffering and joy are found right here.”
It is not a grand promise. But maybe that is why it lingers.
