Aloha Dharma Friends
It is a true joy and honor to be here, joining Dharma service at the Won Dharma Center.
My name is Saejeong Kim, and my Dharma name is Ilduk. I have been an ordained Won Buddhist priest since 2006. Rev. Ginger and Jieun are my classmates. I am currently serving as a U.S. Navy Buddhist chaplain assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District in Hawaii.
Of about 1,100 Navy chaplains both active and reserve, I am one of only four Buddhist chaplains in the Navy and the only female Buddhist chaplain in the service. I am the first active-duty Buddhist chaplain to reach the rank of lieutenant commander in the Navy and the first Buddhist chaplain to serve alongside the U.S. Coast Guard. I feel privileged to wear this uniform and serve in this unique ministry.
Before I continue, I want to clarify that I speak today in my personal capacity. The reflections I share are my own and do not represent the official views of the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the Department of Defense. You may be curious about what Navy chaplains do. In naval chaplaincy, our work can be summarized in four words: Provide, Facilitate, Care, and Advise. We serve individuals from many faiths and backgrounds. Our mission is to care for those who serve.
This has special significance for me in the Coast Guard. Its mission is fundamentally about service—protecting, saving, and helping people, defending our nation, and stepping in wherever help is needed. Its core values—Honor urges me to live with integrity. Respect calls me to recognize the dignity and unique gifts of every person. And Devotion to Duty reminds us to turn our values and spiritual practice into actions for the greater good.
During this weeklong training, I have been contemplating the meaning of spiritual fitness.
To me, spiritual fitness is the inner strength that comes from a noble purpose— through reflections on who we are, what we value, why we do what we do, and what our life directions are.
Being here at the Won Dharma Center reminds me why a Dharma community like this is vital. It offers a safe space to center ourselves, open our hearts in awareness, recenter when we are lost in direction, and empower us to live true to our nature, Dharma and purpose.
Along my path, I have received compassionate mentorship, care, and support from teachers like Juksanim, dharma friends, family and many more. My vote now is to pass on this mentorship to help and nurture the next generation who will be future leaders of our society.
As I conclude, I think of the word CORE. Our core is the space within us where our values, purpose, and dharma practice reside. It is the center that helps us stay grounded, compassionate, and ready to serve for community.
No matter who we meet or where we are, I hope we all stay rooted in our CORE: to serve with honor, respect each person’s gifts, and nurture a noble purpose that sustains our devotion to the dharma journey.
I am truly grateful to share this time with all of you. I pray for your well-being. Thank you.