Best-selling Zen monk to speak at festival

Haemin Sunim, called one of the most influential Zen Buddhist teachers and writers in his native South Korea, will speak May 6-7 at the 12th annual Hawai‘i Book & Music Festival at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds next to Honolulu Hale, a news release said.

He will share his teachings and mindfulness guide, “The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to Be Calm and Mindful in a Fast-Paced World.” Admission is free at the festival, held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Free parking is available in the adjacent municipal parking lot.

On May 6 at 11 a.m., Sunim will participate in a panel discussion, “Health Through Mindfulness,” in the Wellness in Hawaii pavilion, joined by certified yoga therapist Jennie Lee, author of “True Yoga: Practicing With the Yoga Sutras for Happiness & Spiritual Fulfillment,” and Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist who wrote the memoir “Mirror Touch: Notes From a Doctor Who Can Feel Your Pain.”

On May 7 at 1 p.m. in the Mission Memorial Auditorium, Sunim will discuss the teachings in his award-winning book and autograph books at 2 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble booth.

The festival features more than 140 events at 10 pavilions and stages, including readings, presentations and book signings by local, national and international authors; music and hula performances; storytellers; youth performers and other entertainment; and bookseller and publisher booths.

Beneficiaries of the nonprofit festival are Hawaii Literacy and Read to Me International. For information, visit HawaiiBookAndMusicFestival.org.