01/22/2021
I came to America as a student of American studies. Instead of studying America, I played it for a while. My initial interest in America was Hippies, Rock'n'Roll, and the 1960s. I was excited when I saw Joan Baez at her concert, which wouldn't have happened unless I came to America. I had dreamed of wearing long hair for many years, too, which came true in my first couple of years in America. My first American dreams were not too difficult to accomplish.
In the meantime, a new interest arose. At that time, Buddhism was hot and hip in America. Major media frequently reported about the celebrities practicing Buddhism and the Dalai Lama's books occupied the highest ranks in the bestseller list. I decided to write my thesis on American Buddhism. And I did. I got an "A" from my thesis committee. The title was "Americanization of Buddhism."
To write on "Americanization," I needed to have a definition of America. What is America? In my program, I learned that America is something diverse and changeable, which can be rephrased in a Buddhist expression, "America is empty."
Buddhism teaches that everything changes and nothing is eternal. I like Buddhism because that is very true. According to the teaching, America is empty, and anything can be Americanized in America.
At that time, I had my hair cut because it was enough—no more desire for long hair. Knowing satisfaction and stopping desiring is one of the most important Buddhist virtues called the Middle Path. If you lose the middle path, you lose health and reason. Middle Path is the most sound and healthy state of a human being.
That being said, even if Buddhism teaches emptiness, there is something that never changes -- the teaching itself. That's why we call it Truth. If it is denied, it is not Buddhism anymore. The teaching of Emptiness makes Buddhism Buddhism. It doesn't change forever.
America is diverse and changeable all the time, like any other social and natural entity in the world. Being empty is not particularly special about America. Then, what makes America America? What are the essential values and elements to call America America? What makes America a living being?
I am not talking about making America great again. I am just talking about making America still America.
My professional life has been very, very empty ever since I left school. America gave me so many hardships and difficulties, which I interpret as opportunities. I have tried my best to embrace as many opportunities as I can.
In the long run, I became an American ginseng dealer and founded Frontier Publications, a publishing company "selling and translating books on America." Actually, my publishing company does not make any money. It keeps asking for more investment from its founder. Like America was financially aided by ginseng export in the early days, my Frontier Publications is sustained by American Ginseng.
Recently, Frontier Publications yielded its first significant product -- The complete Korean version of The Declaration of Independence. That is something the US Embassy to Korea could not do for more than a hundred years.
I think, therefore I am. So I am thinking. Or let us think so that we exist together.
What makes Buddhism Buddhism?
The teaching of Emptiness.
What has made America America?
The Declaration of Independence.
Anyone who would deny my argument?
(If yes, you are good to go. If no, please keep reading.)
The ideal state of the Middle Path is usually found in one's beginner's mind. Like Bible and Sutra, basic and fundamental doctrines in the world's major teachings are delivered from the beginner's mind. According to Buddhist teaching, Middle Path lies in the beginner's mind, leading to the Enlightenment.
The Declaration of Independence expresses the beginner's mind of America. America is America as long as the beginner's mind is not lost. Diversity and changeability are fine within the scope of The Declaration. Otherwise, you are going beyond America, like negating the teaching of Emptiness is not considered Buddhism any longer.
I like Buddhism because I agree with the fundamental teachings. In this context, I should like America because of the core values of The Declaration.
This is the rational and informed conclusion of a graduate of the American studies program about how to see America as a responsible citizen as well as a voter.
What a long journey to reach this simple conclusion.
How stupid I am.
Thank you, American Ginseng, for getting me here. I promise I will globalize you as you have nicely Americanized me.
