Gora Guru

This is Rob's big day. He's presenting at the Gwangju International Centre. The GIC is yet another initiative of that little man with very grand ideas, Dr. Shin. The centre was established several years ago as a place where interested citizens and foreign nationals can gather to discuss a range of issues. Today, Rob's topic is Buddhism: A Westerner's Perspective.

When we arrive at the GIC building, we're greeted by roaring engines and burning tires out front. The streets have been blocked off and there's a drag racing demonstration going on. Acrid smoke fills the air, and we give up on trying to talk because we can't hear one another. We laugh at the timing of this event. It will take a Buddhist's calm to outperform this competition.

We're treated to a lunch that is delivered in a tri-layered metal box. Like clowns packed into mini cars at the circus, a dozen metal and plastic serving dishes and a few boxes are pulled out and set on the table. There are two varieties of soup, two types of sushi, noodles, and ddeukbokki, my favourite big fat rice noodles. Diane is the hostest with the mostest, and this is just one more example of how she pays careful attention to her guests.

Quiet little TA Hye Seon is here today. The most retiring of the TAs is turning out to be one of the most likely to branch out, explore, and take social chances. TA Hao has shown up for the address, even though he's leaving tomorrow for Disney World, and won't be back home until the new year. He wants to hear Rob, and he wants to have a chance to say goodbye to both of us. A student from our shared class, Ju Jyun, has shown up for the same reason, but also to say goodbye to Hao. We've formed some strong ties over a three week program, and this does Dr. Shin proud, for it is exactly what he had in mind when Summer Exploration was but a gleam in his eye.

After lunch Diane and I run down the street to pick up coffee. We have a nice chat about the program and Rob's and my experience in Korea. I'm very honest with her, telling her that we've had a remarkable time, with the only downside being the Ugly Americans. Of course I'm considerably more diplomatic in my explanation, while staying true to myself in answering her questions. Diane is a very astute observer, and she hits the nail on the head when she says it's about maturity, and having a strong enough sense of self to be able to immerse oneself in another culture without feeling threatened.

Just before he speaks, Rob is greeted by an older gent who just happens to be studying International Law at Chonnam. No retirement for this razor sharp fellow. In fact, he recently took a tour of Western Canada, including Vancouver, Banff, and Calgary, and he loved it so much, he wants to return. This man is representative of his generation's attitude toward education; for them, life-long learner is more than just a catchphrase.

At 3 PM, Yeong Ju introduces Rob, and he, like his competition, is off to the races. (Thankfully, on the fourth floor, the cars simply create a distant din.) Rob's provides an overview of the history of Buddhism, and his message comes down to this: Buddhism is many things in many places, but he personally sees the underlying theme as "ahimsa," or, non-violence. He says two facets of the faith are driving forces in his life: upaya and the idea of personal responsiblity. Upaya simply means modifying the message to suit the audience, so, having good communication. Personal responsiblity means that one must work for salvation; it isn't just handed over.

The audience is fully engaged, and the forty minute presentation is followed by 50 minutes of discussion. Afterwards, many people come up for a private audience, and want to have their photo taken with the silver-haired, silver-tongued gora guru. (Note: Gora is the Hindi word for "white.") In his talk, and the subsequent question period, Rob has been able to draw parallels between disparate religions, and validate all interrogators. He has somehow managed to talk religion to a group of very well informed, highly opinionated, people from different cultures, with different faith systems, and everyone feels enriched for the experience. He is walking the Buddhist walk, and this crowd gets it, and appreciates it. Above all, Dr. Shin is very pleased, telling Rob it was the most informative and comprehensive dissertation he's ever heard on the subject.

For dinner, we repair to The First Alleyway, the Canadian restaurant a stones throw from the GIC. Rob and I share a brain, so we both end up ordering the falafel on pita, and we're ever so happy for our choice. It's amazing, on par, and in some cases better, than that I've had at Middle Eastern establishments. It's served with a strong garlic-lemon aeoli, that I would dearly love to duplicate at home. The side dish onion rings are succulent and sweet, and the batter is light and airy. In the Korean way, we share dishes around the table, and others agree with our assessment.

Though we are stuffed, Diane and her husband, Jon, treat us to dessert at a cafe down the street. We share a giant waffle with ice cream and chocolate sauce, and a green tea ice cream, flake dessert which smothers a red bean, rice crisp interior. The curious blend of salty bean and sweet ice cream in the second dish reminds me of the Filipino treat, halo halo. (Note: Halo halo is pronounced hal-o, hal-o.)

We're home before 10, but it feels as if we've lived two or three days in one. Perhaps you recall the 1980s pop song, "I think I'm turning Japanese (I really think so!)" Well, given our schedules these days, I think we could simply insert "Korean" into the title, and we'd be on the mark. I really think so!