7:00pm
Tuesday, October 30 2007

Finney Chapel
90 North Professor Street
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio 44074

Free and Open to the Public ~ No Tickets Necessary

"The Sound of Ecstasy and Nectar Enlightenment:  Buddhist Ritual Song and Dance from Korea" is a 120 minute spiritual performance by the Young San Preservation Group.  In this performance, members of the group use song and dance to carry out the Young San Ceremony, which is an elaborate tribute to honor Buddha.  Originating before the start of the Choson Dynasty, this ceremony was commonly performed during times of great celebration, or times of misfortune in which people asked Buddha for protection and safeguard.

In this ceremony, monks sing traditional Buddhist Chants called pomp'ae, which are unwritten music that have complex patterns and heavy tones and are learned orally. These chants are often sung along with a variety of instruments, including gongs, drums, and wind instruments.  The ceremony also includes jakbop, a ritual spiritual dance that is accompanied by percussion instruments.  The performance of song and dance together create a colorful event that easily introduces people to traditional Buddhist music and rituals that are considered to be valuable representatives of Korean culture.

Under the direction of Venerable Dong Hee, the Young San Preservation group is committed to preserving the Young San Ceremony. Dong Hee is the first woman to be associated with the group.  Learning from Venerable Song-am Park, who was designated a Korean Human Cultural Asset, Venerable Dong Hee has worked diligently to correctly maintain the rituals of the ceremony by studying traditional Buddhist texts.  Through her studies, she has been able to properly prepare ritual objects used in the ceremony and restore the original forms and colors of vestments worn by members of the group.