James,+William

**Won Buddhism**

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**Introduction**
 Won buddhism teaches us how our mind works and how to control it.

 The religion was established less than a century ago by its creator, Sotaesan, in 1916. It has spread throughout the world in very short amount of time (in relation to other religions that were established centuries, or even milleniums ago) and has attracted many and turned them into its believers.

**Temples**
Although Won Buddhism began in Korea, there are as many (or even more) temples worldwide than in Korea.







**Meditation Centers**


 Won buddhist meditation centers are separate from the temples, won buddhists have “meditation centers”, where they meditate. These centers are in forms of a circle as circle, or “won” is a major aspect of their belief, as will later be explained further. Also, these centers are very modern, and are usually for groups to join in and practice meditation. In their meditation, they use Timeless Zen, a method of meditation depicted as taming an ox, established by the Zen Buddhists. They first "take hold of the mind", then "watches the mind", and " forgets the mind", ending with " utilizing the mind".



History
Sotaesan achieved enlightenment on April 28, 1916 in the early morning, and established Won Buddhism.

Sotaesan was never exposed to or had any sort of relationship with Buddhism when he created Won Buddhism. He was enlightened without knowing Buddha or Buddhism before, thus created his own buddhism, teaching the path he took in achieving enlightenment.

Leaders of Won Buddhism since Sotaesan: - Ven. Chungsan (정산 종법사*) - 1900-1962 - Ven. Daesan (대산 종법사) - 1914-1998 - Ven. Chawsan (좌산 종법사) - 1936 ~

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">*'종법사' (Jong-bup-sa) is what the leader of the Won Buddhism is called. It is the highest position in Won Buddhism.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">**Doctrine and Beliefs**
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the Main Philosophies: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Everything is our mind’s creation.”

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">The circle (that symbolizes Won Buddhism) is called "Il Won Sang" or "일원상." It represents one's true self. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">It also simbolizes the "truth" of the world that Sotaesan realized after his enlightenment.



<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">They believe and serve Buddhadarma, a being very similar to, or in a way, same as, Buddha in other Buddhism.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Principle book of Won Buddhism is called the Chongjun (정전, 正典<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">** Interesting Facts **
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">- Lee Gun-Hee (이건희), the previous CEO (currently the honorary president) of Samsung (삼성), is a devoted believer of Won Buddhism.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">- Some don't view Won Buddhism as a form of Buddhism because its establisher, Sotaesan, had absolutely no connection or exposure to Buddhism or any concept from it when he established the religion.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">**Sources**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">** http://www.wonbuddhism.org/ ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">** http://phila.wonbuddhism.info/eng2/won/won1.html ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">** http://www.won.or.kr/ ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">**http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=120275** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">** http://www.wondharmacenter.org/v3/facilities-and-rentals/facilities-and-rentals **