우리의 국가브랜드 위원회와 함께 하는 문화 활동
Saturday 27 November 2010
Friday 26 November 2010
Wednesday 24 November 2010
International Seon Center opens in Seoul
The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism opened an International Seon Center in Sinjeong-dong in southern Seoul on November 15.
The International Seon Center concentrates on Ganhwaseon “word contemplation” meditation and helping people experience Buddhist culture through activities like temple stays. Membership is open to all and costs 100,000 won a month, including classes. Also, free classes are available on weekends.
The International Seon Center concentrates on Ganhwaseon “word contemplation” meditation and helping people experience Buddhist culture through activities like temple stays. Membership is open to all and costs 100,000 won a month, including classes. Also, free classes are available on weekends.
(From left to right) meditation hall, exterior, and lounge (Photo: International Seon Center) |
"We will promote Korean Buddhism, Korean spirit and culture to the world through the center," said Venerable Jaseung, Administrative Director of the Jogye Order, at the opening ceremony on Nov. 15. "We hope that we can deliver traditional values of Korean Buddhism to both Korea and the world."
The center is housed in a ten-story building, the exterior of which has been designed to resemble the famous nine-story Hwangnyongsa Pagoda that used to stand in Gyeongju. The mix of modern and traditional elements in its design distinguishes it from many of the other meditation centers in Korea.
"We actually got the idea for the design of the building from Hwangnyongsa Pagoda, which was built in the Silla period," said a staff from the center. "The center symbolizes Silla Buddhism, when the international exchange of Buddhism was most active in Korean history.”
Guest house accommodations, meditation hall (Photo: International Seon Center) |
The center has a variety of facilities, including a meditation hall, Buddhist sanctuary, guest house, library and cafeteria. The guest house is equipped with nine rooms for two or three people, three dormitory rooms for larger groups, and shared bathrooms. The center hopes that the quality of the accommodations will help make the center a popular place for foreigners seeking temple stay experiences.
The center also features a traditional Korean culture experience hall where visitors can enjoy activities like learning to make vegetarian temple food.
English Dharma talks are held every Sunday with Wontong, a Polish monk. There are also translation services available for non-Koreans who want to join meditation sessions.
A tour of the center (top) and a meditation session (bottom) (Photo: International Seon Center) |
"We offer translation services for foreigners during temple stays and Ganhwaseon," said the center’s abbot, Hyunjo. "We will help foreigners better understand Korea’s spiritual culture through programs, forums and meditation."
The International Seon Center is operated by seven monks and seven employees. For more information, please visit the center’s official website, www.seoncenter.or.kr, or call (02) 2650-2200.
Jessica Seoyoung Choi
Korea.net Staff Writer
KIST robots come to classrooms
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), a government-funded research institute, has attracted international media attention for inventing robots that teach English. The New York Times, CNN and Time Magazine have all rolled out coverage of the robots, with Time calling them one of the “50 Best Inventions of 2010.”
KIST’s Center for Intelligent Robotics has created several different models of English-teaching robots, including “Engkey” and “Mero.” This new “r-learning (robot-based learning)” paradigm is expected to help bring high-quality English instruction to elementary students, particularly those in rural regions.
KIST’s Center for Intelligent Robotics has created several different models of English-teaching robots, including “Engkey” and “Mero.” This new “r-learning (robot-based learning)” paradigm is expected to help bring high-quality English instruction to elementary students, particularly those in rural regions.
Engkey Mero |
A pilot program was launched by the Korean Government to test r-learning last year, and students in two elementary schools were taught English by the new robot teachers in late 2009. Engkey helped with the regular English conversation programs, while Mero helped students with their pronunciation and practicing new words and sentences. The robots were successful in helping to teach pronunciation to the students, who enjoyed interacting with their new school “staff.”
The robots can move in any direction and can follow human facial expressions. While the robots are used primarily in support roles for real human teachers, Time Magazine called them a “job terminator,” saying they could potentially supplement or replace the native speakers currently in Korean schools. However, the robots cannot handle improvisation, and students must follow a script.
Elementary school students practicing their English with robotic help. |
Government evaluations have concluded that the educational robot system had indeed helped students improve their English skills and increased students’ interest and self-motivation. The 8-week pilot program showed that the robots have the potential to be an important part of English education in Korea.
Thirty-six English teaching robots are due to be deployed in 18 elementary schools across the city of Daegu by the end of this year, according to KIST. KIST also speculates that with further development, the robots could potentially be used to teach Korean to foreigners.
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Saturday 13 November 2010
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/G-20-summit-India-cautions-against-protectionism/articleshow/6912145.cms
http://www.salon.com/news/globalization/?story=/news/feature/2010/11/12/the_failure_of_the_g_20_summit
http://www.salon.com/news/globalization/?story=/news/feature/2010/11/12/the_failure_of_the_g_20_summit
On Asia tour, Obama cherishes 'genuine friendship' with Manmohan Singh Published: Saturday, Nov 13, 2010, 18:35 IST Place: Washington, DC | Agency: PTI | |||||
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