One Korean’s Approach to Buddhism: The Mom/Momjit Paradigm

The introduction explains the author’s personal motivation for writing the book, especially his experience with the student Buddhist monastery at Bong’en-sa and his transformative meeting with Sungchol Sunim at Haein-sa. Park argues that many people focus on momjit, the external appearance or function of practice, while neglecting the deeper transformation of mom. He also contrasts Asian mom-oriented culture with modern Western and industrial momjit-oriented culture. Chapter One introduces the basic structure of mom and momjit, relating it to suffering, ignorance, ordinary and absolute reality, and practical experience. Chapter Two presents tools for transformation, especially hwadu practice, no-thought, faith, doubt, surrender, enlightenment, and the behavior of Zen masters. Chapter Three connects the paradigm to Wŏnhyo, Hua-yen thought, the Diamond Sūtra, the Platform Sūtra, Chinul, Chan, Taoism, and Confucianism. Chapter Four discusses present-day applications, including daily practice, desire, stages of practice, and the author’s personal use of the paradigm. The conclusion summarizes the spiritual and practical significance of mom and momjit.