an introduction to an apparently amazing human being, hyun kyung chung (if the link doesn't work, look at today's comments). her recent visit to, and conference in, japan, despite her conditioned biases against it, demonstrates a courage that the international warrior must model for our globalizing societies.if integrationism is the manner and method, sycretism is the expected result. knowing this, we needn't fear it.
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Buddhist-Christian feminist to speak out at retreat
By ANGELA JEFFS
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Hyun Kyung Chung, professor of ecumenical theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, combines shamanism, Buddhism, Asian imagery and many more streams of thought in her Christian theology focusing on the life force.
Why controversial? Because fundamentalist Christians will think Hyun Kyung -- who claims to be a pagan, shamanistic, eco-feminist Buddhist-Christian -- is weird. But they are not the Christians likely to be attracted to the conference. Chung and the organizers expect similarly creative free thinkers to sign up -- women who are open to exploring new ideas and having fun.
Hyun Kyung is professor of ecumenical theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and also a lay theologian of the Presbyterian Church of Korea. She first came to international attention in 1991, when she made a now famous speech -- a feminist/Asian/Third World interpretation of the Holy Spirit -- at the World Council of Churches in Canberra, Australia.
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Asked if she feels Korean or Korean-American, she replies: "I feel as if I am from the Earth. But culturally I am Korean. I grew up in an atmosphere of hatred towards Japan and Japanese, so there will be much to challenge me on my visit: the issues of 'comfort women,' colonial legacy, Yasukuni Shrine, the current fanaticism among Japanese women for Korean men. I would say I'm both excited and anxious."
Peace is possible, she believes. The Bible talks about loving your enemy, so this is a good opportunity to practice what she preaches. "I won't feel comfortable, but this trip will provide a good chance to meet people beyond conflict."
At the weekend conference, she looks forward to discussing the meaning of the Holy Spirit for women today. "For me, it's the life force or energy that makes things alive to flourish. The Bible says this clearly -- that the spirit of God is the breath and source of life -- but interpretation has become dogmatic."
Hyun Kyung is concerned with passing on such basic teachings in a new mode. "You know the saying, 'Don't try to put new wine into old bottles!' I'm a postcolonial feminist trying to explain Christian content with a new method of expressing Christianity. I'm not apologetic. It's my identity."
She lacks diplomacy, she says, laughing. "I don't want to be bold, just clear and direct, to the point. All boundaries -- which are to do with human perception -- need to be extended. We're insulated and restricted by names and form. Look at the phrase 'Holy Spirit.' . . . What does it mean to you? We need to get beyond known (generally accepted) perceptions and definitions."
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She thinks having two religions is like being bilingual. "Just as Japanese are Shinto and Buddhist, I believe it perfectly possible to have a simultaneous translation in progress between Christianity and Buddhism."
She admits to being a syncretist -- combining Christian theology, Asian imagery and other streams of thought -- pointing out that we all are syncretists; it's just that most people don't realize or accept it. Once asked by a German TV program what she was in terms of religion, her answer was both simple and profound: "I said that metaphorically my womb was shamanistic, my heart Buddhist, my head Christian, my aura eco-spiritualist."
With 5,000 years of shamanism in Korea, 2,000 of Buddhism and just a century of Protestantism, Hyun Kyung embraces her heritage and brings them all to her Christian faith. "Korea's ancestor worship is shamanistic. Since paganism covers all religious rituals predating Christianity, I would say I am pagan as well as a shaman and a Buddhist-Christian."
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She defines herself as "salimist," from the Korean word "salim," which means "making things alive." A salimist is an eco-feminist, a revolutionary, a "god'dess," an alchemist, a magician who touches everything with energy, holy spirit. "I pursue theology for the flourishing of life -- life in all its forms, all its fullness."
Hyun Kyung regards the main purpose of her trip as being to seek the heart of Japanese people. "I've been so brainwashed into thinking them selfish, materialistic, imperialist-minded, not good neighbors. . . . It's been embodied since childhood."
The deep irony of Japan's great aesthetic, and great violence, has always been a puzzle. "I want to meet the other side of Japan, to hear so many different voices that I leave transformed. I want to change, leave that old indoctrinated image behind. I want to leave feeling liberated."
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The Japan Times: Jan. 7, 2006
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