Buddhist Ritual Song and Dance from Korea

October 21 - November 2, 2007

Harmonies as resonant and meditative as the religious devotion they represented filled American concert halls as the Young San Preservation Group, a company of Korean Buddhist monks that performs pŏmp’ae chants, embarked on its second cross-country tour organized by The Korea Society.

            Pŏmp'ae, literally "sacred chanting," is a Buddhist tradition of ritual chant that may be compared with Gregorian chant in the Western tradition of Christianity. It offers a rich milieu of complex vocal patterns and pure, heavy tones intended to induce ruminative calm and facilitate spiritual growth. Led by Venerable Dong Hee, the eight monks of the Young San Preservation Group began their five-city tour with a standing room-only performance at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco on October 21.

            The pŏmp’ae chants, accompanied by ritual dance, petition the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas for protection and wisdom. From San Francisco, the group continued on to their show at Western Illinois UniversityMacomb Illinois on October 24 where, after the performance, they conducted a workshop to help their curious audience to a better understanding of the ancient tradition. in

            On October 26, the group played at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Audiences grew more enthusiastic as the tour continued. Both the group’s performance at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio on October 30, and its final show at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on November 2, received standing ovations.

            The tour was a success for venues and audiences:

            Hundreds of visitors, including VIP consulate guests, families, members of the Korean community and many others from all over the Bay Area experienced the ceremonial chants and dances of the Young San ceremony. For over two hours our guests—many of whom had to stand—listened and watched appreciatively as the Korean monks meticulously and gracefully performed the ceremony. The front door to the crowded hall was left open so that people could watch and listen from the loggia…When the program ended after a round of generous applause, it was very interesting to note that 98% of the audience lingered in their seats or in their standing positions, reluctant to give up the moment.

                        – Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

            We had a very good turnout. We estimate between 500 and 600 people were in the audience. Many different kids of people attended—students, faculty and administrators, of course, but also people of all ages and backgrounds from the northeast Ohio community…the Young San group was warmly received. Man people lingered at the end, in hopes of talking with the monks, and some people even came up on to the stage afterward. We were also impressed by the generosity of the group, giving their blessing to our College, individuals by name, the Korean student group, and the community. This was perhaps the highlight of the ceremony.

                        – Oberlin College

            The Young San Preservation Group and The Korea Society are already planning a third U.S. tour for the fall of 2009.