Won Buddhism
[2] The stated goals of Won Buddhism are for people to realize their own innate Buddha nature and to save all sentient beings by serving others.
Established by Sotaesan, who achieved enlightenment in 1916, Won Buddhism was created as a response to the realization that materialistic pursuits were diminishing the human spirit.
[6] Won Buddhism emphasizes a holistic approach, integrating spirituality with scientific understanding, moral principles with social justice, gender equality, and religious practices with everyday life.
[8] This practice underscores the concept of universal unity and reflects a commitment to merging scientific and economic advancements with personal wisdom and social responsibility.
Sotaesan’s creation of Won Buddhism is seen as an evolution of Buddhist teachings, designed to make them more relevant and accessible to modern society.
[10] According to Won Buddhism tradition, he began asking questions about universal phenomena at age 7 and expanded his inquiries to problems of life and death and existence.
[11] He began his quest by praying to mountain spirits for four years, following this with equally unsuccessful questioning of those considered enlightened teachers.
Early guiding principles included diligence, frugality, elimination of formal rituals and superstition, and abstinence from alcohol and smoking[15] Major elements, still central today, are the lack of a wide distinction between laity and the priesthood, equality of men and women, modernizing practice and doctrine, and concern about the swift rise in material development.
[16] Early on, Sotaesan sought to improve the daily lives of his followers by establishing a thrift and savings institution and embarking on an arduous, year-long levee-building project to reclaim 25 acres of land from the sea for rice cultivation.
In an event commemorated today as "The Miracle of the Blood Seal", thumbprints placed on a sheet of paper recording their pledge were seen to turn red.
In the words of Won Buddhism's fourth Head Dharma Master, "The reason the Buddha is respected and venerated is not his physical body.
[29] The Four Essentials: The second element of The Gateway of Faith consists of: Requiting Grace is a Buddha Offering The Gateway of Practice includes: The Threefold Study is taught the means of cultivating unity with ones's original nature, Il Won Sang The Eight Articles Unremitting Seon in Action and Rest (Seon 선, 禪) There is disagreement among scholars whether Won Buddhism is a new religion or a reformation of mainstream Buddhist tradition.
Women as well as men may be elected "masters"[36] and sit on the Supreme Dharma Council, Won Buddhism's highest decision-making body.
This practice was deeply rooted in the patriarchal and hierarchical social structure of the time, which dictated that women should not wear clothing that emphasized their form.
In recent times, female gyomunims have begun to adopt both traditional and modern clothing, reflecting a shift towards greater equality.
This resolution carries significant weight and has influenced the practices and policies of the religion, furthering the founder’s vision of abolishing discrimination and promoting equality within the community.
This progressive move aligns with the teachings of Sotaesan, the founder of Won Buddhism, who emphasized the integration of spirituality with science, morality with social justice, and equality between men and women.
