Won Buddhism

Won Buddhism
Hangul 원불교 Hanja 圓佛敎 Revised Romanization Wonbulgyo McCune-Reischauer Wǒnbulkyo

Won Buddhism, Wonbulgyo, a compound of the Korean won (circle) and bulgyo (Buddhism), means literally "Circular Buddhism," or "Consummate Buddhism." It is the name of an indigenous religion founded in Korea in the twentieth century. During different stages in Korean history leading up to the to the 20th century, Buddhism and Confucianism took turns as Korea's leading ideology. Won Buddhism seeks a way to synthesize some of the conflicting teachings of Buddhism and Confucianism.

History

Pak Chung-bin (1891-1943; Sot'aesan) attained great enlightenment in 1916 and had a precognition of the world entering an era of advancing material civilization, to which humans would be enslaved. The only way to save the world was by expanding spiritual power through faith in genuine religion and training in sound morality. With the dual aims to save sentient beings and cure the world of moral ills, Sot'aesan began his religious mission. He opened a new religious order with the buddhadharma as the central doctrine, establishing the Society of the Study of the Buddha-dharma at Iksan North Cholla province, in 1924. He edified his followers with newly drafted doctrine until his death in 1943. The central doctrine was published in the Pulgyo cheongjeon (The Correct Canon of Buddhism) in 1943.

In 1947 Song Kyu (1900-1962; "Cheongsan"), the second patriarch, renamed the order Wonbulgyo (Won Buddhism) and published the new canon, Wonbulgyo Kyojeon (The Scriptures of Won Buddhism), in 1962.

Doctrine and Practice

The central doctrine lies in the tenets of Irwŏnsang (unitary circular form), Four Beneficences [Graces], and Threefold Practice:

• Just like a finger pointing at the moon, Irwŏnsang, enshrined as the symbol of the dharmakaya of the Buddha, refers to the Buddha-nature of the Tathāgatha and the fundamental source of the four beneficences (heaven and earth, parents, fellow beings, and laws) to which one owes one's life. Irwŏn (unitary circle), the Wŏnbulgyo name for the Dharmakāya Buddha, is the noumenal nature of all beings of the universe, the original nature of all buddhas and patriarchs, and the Buddha-nature of all sentient beings. The worship of Irwŏn lies in requiting the four beneficences, as stated in the motto: "Requiting beneficence is making offerings to Buddha." The practice of Irwon lies in wisdom (prajñā), fostering concentration (samādhi) and using virtue (śīla), upon enlightenment to the Buddha-nature in mundane, daily life.

• The requital of the four beneficences is carried out:

1. for heaven and earth, harboring no thought after rendering beneficence;
2. for parents, protecting the helpless;
3. for fellow beings, benefiting oneself by benefiting others; and
4. for laws, doing justice and forsaking injustice.

• The threefold practice is perfected by:

• samadhi, cultivation of spirit;
• prajňā, inquiry into facts and principles; and
• śīla, the heedful choice in karmic action.

The threefold practice is carried out through timeless Zen, which holds as its central principle that when the six sense organs are at rest, one should nourish One Mind by clearing the mind of worldly thoughts; when they are at work, one should forsake injustice and cultivate justice.

Religious life and Daily life

Traditional Buddhist paths to enlightenment often involve withdrawal from the world, living in a monastery and many hours each day spent in meditation. This model for religious mastery came into strong conflict with some of the most basic teachings of Confucianism. To be a good Confucianist, it is centrally important to care for your parents. This is very difficult if one has withdrawn from society into isolation and meditation. This is the kind of idealogical conflict that Won Buddism addresses, trying to provide an appropriate balance between spiritual life and material life. This balance can be expressed in many aspects:

• Timeless Zen, Placeless Zen - Practice meditation continuously, practice meditation everywhere.
• Everywhere a Buddha Image, Every Act a Buddha Offering. - All things are incarnation of Truth-Buddha, do each thing as an offering of worship to the Buddha.
• One Suchness in Action and Rest; Wholeness of Spirit and Flesh - Maintain the full oneness of spirit and body in motion and rest.
• Buddhadharma is Daily Life, Daily Life is Buddhadharma. - Buddhist truth is found in daily life, life is Buddhist Truth itself.Won Buddhism Int'l Website. Retrieved Aug 31, 2007

External links

• Official website. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
• Won-buddhism: Buddhism, Meditation. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
• WonBuddhism. Retrieved August 8, 2007.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho, and Howard C. Cutler. 1998. The art of happiness: a handbook for living. New York: Riverhead Books. ISBN 9781573221115
• Chong, Key Ray. 1997. Won Buddhism: a history and theology of Korea's new religion. Studies in Asian thought and religion, v. 22. Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press. ISBN 9780773484368
• Chung, Bongkil. 2003. The scriptures of Won Buddhism: a translation of the Wonbulgyo kyojon with introduction. Classics in East Asian Buddhism. Honolulu: Univ. of Hawaii Press. ISBN 9780824821852
• Heine, Steven, and Charles S. Prebish. 2003. Buddhism in the modern world: adaptations of an ancient tradition. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195146974
• Kim, Bokin. 2000. Concerns and issues in Won Buddhism. Philadelphia, PA: Won Publications. OCLC: 45274347

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