What is Won-Buddhism?
Won-Buddhism 원불교(Won-bul-gyo, 圓佛敎)

원 (Won) means a unitary circular form.
불(bul) means to enlighten the truth.
교 (gyo) means to teach the truth.

Il Won Sang (일원상)
Il (one) Won (circle) Sang (image)

Il Won Sang, a circle
symbolizes the mind-imprinted seal of true self nature.
symbolizes the natural state of mind that exists before one becomes sad, worried, angry, happy, or overjoyed.
symbolizes the original nature of all Buddhas, sages, enlightened masters, human beings, and all sentient beings.
symbolizes the ultimate truth of the universe.
Enshrine Il Won Sang as an object of faith and the standard of practice.

The original nature cannot be described in words or shapes. It is difficult for the general public to know what they can take as the object of refuge for their mind.
Sotaesan had Ilwonsang enshrined as the symbol of truth. By enshrining and worshipping Ilwonsang, we should discover the real Ilwonsang, maintain the true nature of Ilwon, and use the perfect mind of Ilwon.
- Ven. Chongsan
The Great Master Sotaesan, the founder of Won-Buddhism
1891-1943
Born to a peasant family in South Korea
After 20 years of seeking and practice, he obtained the Great Enlightenment (1916).
Upon attaining great enlightenment on the twenty-eighth of April, the first year of the Won-Buddhist Era (A.D.1916),

Sotaesan said,
“All things in the universe are of one spiritual nature and all dharmas come from one source, of which the way of neither arising nor ceasing and the principle of cause and effect, being mutually grounded on one another, are the encircling frame.” 
How did Soteasan view the world?
“At present, materialism has an increasing influence in the world today, while the minds and spirits of human beings are becoming weak. In these circumstances, individuals, homes, societies and nations are not able to maintain equilibrium and therefore, remain in endless suffering.”

(Introduction, 13, The Discourses of the Great Master)
The Founding Motive
“As material power is unfolding,
let us unfold spiritual power accordingly.”

Materialism is a fact, we cannot avoid it; however, as contemporary society becomes increasingly materialistic, technologically advanced, and globally integrated, it is critical to develop our spirituality in equal measure.
Two Gateways to obtain the spiritual power
The Gateway of Faith Based on the principle of cause-effect
The world is filled with indispensable graces.

Four Graces 사은 (四恩)
1. Grace of Heaven and Earth
2. Grace of Parents
3. Grace of Fellow Beings
4. Grace of Social Order and Natural Laws
What is indispensable in your life?
Grace of Heaven and Earth
We breathe air in and out. We are indebted.
We stand on the earth’s ground; it holds and sustains us. We are indebted.
We see and differentiate a myriad of things by the moon and sun’s luminous light: We are indebted.
We are graced by the winds, clouds, rains, dews, nurturing a myriad of things that sustain us. We are indebted.
We follow the way of no birth and no death enabling the reality of eternal life. We are indebted.

Grace of Parents
Through our parents we have a body, the foundation of human interaction and universal principles. We are indebted.
With our parents’ love that never let us go, that persevered through many struggles, we were cared for and protected when we could not do so ourselves. We are indebted.
Our parents teach us responsibility and integrity, guiding us to play a positive role in the world. We are indebted.

Grace of Fellow Beings
Scholars study and research to edify and educate us in all types of learning and governance.
Farmers plant and raise crops to provide materials for our clothing and food.
Artisans manufacture many types of goods to provide us with shelter and necessities.
Merchants trade a variety of material goods to help make our lives convenient.
Even animals and plants are of help to us.

Grace of Social Order & Natural Laws
Laws preserve the public peace and order by distinguishing right from wrong, benefit from harm, and by punishing the unjust and protecting the just so that one can live in peace.
The facilities and institutions for scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are established whereby one is guided and encouraged for the sake of preserving one’s life and cultivating knowledge.
Sages appear in response to the times, enabling us, through religion and morality, to follow the right road.


The Gateway of Practice Based on the true void and marvelous existence

Threefold Practices 삼학 (三學)
1. Spiritual Cultivation
2. Inquiry into Facts and Principles
3. Mindful Choice in Action




Other Teaching Mottos


Everywhere is the Buddha-image; do everything as making an offering to Buddha.


Timeless Son and
Placeless Son


Maintain one mind
in motion and at rest.
Wholeness
both in sprit and body.

The Ethics of Triple Identity
All religions are of one and the same
truth. All beings are of the same family.
All of us are co-workers working for one and the same goal.
-Ven. Chongsan
Any comments or questions?