Won Buddhism Dharma Talks

Patty details her path toward a practice that is both introspective and skeptical, and one that has led her to a brand of "spiritualism" that is not in conflict with science and what she experiences here in the every-day world. Here, disparate people meet in a sangha and dharma of mutual service and "…a religion based on truth and a training in morality based on facts." (Master Sotesan, The Foundi...

In this Dharma talk, Rev. ZiYoung shares the key to bringing peace to the world starts with cultivating peace in our own mind-field. An easier way to say this is, "Oneness" and is our prayerful chant in the words, "We Are One, We Are Whole." https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org

Kelly Denno (Won YeeSuh), shares an all too familiar experience when interconnectedness is not safe, being tailgated. Practice and the scriptures reminds us that it is important to be equitable and kind to everyone, even those who don't look like they deserve it in certain critical moments. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org

In this Dharma talk Rev. ZiYoung explains in a literal way, how our delusions cloud our sight, much like how our eyesight can be limited by restricting the light that enters one of our eyes with our hand. Limiting ourselves prevents us from clearly seeing great ant small, being and nonbeing, and Rev. ZiYoung's personal experience with team members illustrates this in a vivid way. https://www.wonbu...

Kathleen Herr (Won HerrJu) shares a deeply personal message about becoming "lassoed" by checklist "have-to's" at the expense of meaningful and fundamental practices. At the beginning of her talk, Kathleen mentions the practice of service, and invites practitioners near the North Carolina temple to volunteer in the garden if they are so inclined. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Nik Wall (WonHaeWol), a member of the North Carolina Temple, shares his thoughts on practicing mindfully as a way to loosen "thought knots" that occur in our minds. Nik explains that our knotted minds can be helped by understanding a poem by the founding master instructing us that it is "…not not, but not not either…” Nik's interpretation then becomes, "…not knot, but not knot either!" :) https://...

Michael Macklin (WonHyoung), a long time practitioner at the North Carolina Temple, draws upon his deep study, contemplation, and experience with the Il-Won-Sang vow, a core doctrine found in The Principal Book of Won-Buddhism (http://wonscripture.org/Main/SubIndex/jungjun020104) Michael's simple and clear explanation of key stanzas helps us better grasp the vow's central objective, experiencing t...

In her special 911 anniversary message, Rev. WonGong shares a message of healing and wholeness by comparing our lives to that of the lotus flower. Deep roots thrive in whatever type of water the lotus plant finds itself, and its leaves are never sullied by even the muddiest of water. Master Chōngsan wisely encouraged his followers to practice like the lotus in this new world (http://wonscripture.o...

Bonnie opens the North Carolina's Saturday service by sharing how she experiences dogs in her life in a real, direct way, and also in a metaphorical sense. She makes the distinction between knowledge in our heads and knowledge in our bodies. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

Rev. WonGong models and enlightens the Saturday service attendees of the North Carolina Temple on the finer points of meditating while noses and mouthes are "blanketed" with the coverings that have become a regular part of our lives. Even masks present us with an opportunity to practice! https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

Member's Talk by Greta(Ja Myong) at Won Buddhism of Manhattan August 29, 2021 wonbuddhismnyc.org

Rev. WonGong explains how we can recharge our spiritual batteries by engaging in the "Three Great Powers," known in Won Buddhism as the "Threefold Practice" - Cultivation, Inquiry, and Choice in Action. She dives deep into ways we can cultivate these powers by referring to the scriptures and wise teachers, like Master ChōngSan, who saw that these powers involve accumulation and utilization. Rev. W...

Rev. WonGong guides practitioners attending Saturday Morning services at the North Carolina Temple with tips on settling in, then sustaining a focused mediation session. She tells us that, "What your mind thinks is non of your business when meditating!" https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

Lars, a member of the North Carolina Temple, reflects on serving the North Carolina community and Kyomunims by contributing his technological skill set with no thought of getting anything in return. This has been something powerful for him during the pandemic. He calls this, "…turning harm into grace by turning selfishness into something more powerful…service."

Program (Order of appearance): Dharma Talk by Rev. WonGong - Self-Transformation Day 2021 Presentation of Dharma Names by Rev. WonGong Dharma Name Recipients' talks - Jared Heelis (Won JaeRyong, 원재룡, 圓濟龍) - Ann Freeman (Won HaeRee, 원혜리, 圓慧利) - Holly North (Won JahYoo, 원자유, 圓自由) Encouragement for new Dharma Name recipients by Drew Pilant (Won DoCheong)

In this Dharma talk, Rev. WonGong reminds us that we reap what we sow. We must tend to our "mind field" like farmers tend to their precious crops, and she outlines how we can do this. Presented to the members of the North Carolina Temple on Saturday, August 21, 2021. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

Dharma Talk by Rev. Insik Kim (Aug 15, 2021) @Won Dharma Center

Nik Wall (Won HayWol), a member of the North Carolina Temple, describes the famous ox herding scenes found in the poems written by master Puming of the Ming dynasty in China. He relates lessons learned from studying these dramatic scenes to his own personal life and practice. Nik's inspiring journey shows how the story of the Ox directly applies to taming our own minds. Presented to the members of...

In this Dharma talk, Rev. WonGong reminds us that we need to empty our minds just as we rid ourselves of the trash in our trash cans. Drop, release, let it go… Presented to the members of the North Carolina Temple on Saturday, August 14, 2021. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

Carol Golin, a member of the North Carolina Temple, reflects upon the chance gift of watching a nesting bird family change dramatically through the spring, and how we can, likewise, recognize, and even accept, the natural changes that impact our own lives and greater human society. Through practice, we can see ourselves and the world as is. Presented to the members of the North Carolina Temple on...

Dharma Talk by Rev. Dosung Yoo (August 8, 2021)

Dharma Talk by Rev. Sungin Na (Aug 1, 2021) @Won Dharma Center

In this Dharma talk Rev. WonGong introduces the concept of "no self" as changing aggregates and presents ways in which we can conceptualize true nature in the realm of Il-Won-Sang. Presented to the members of the North Carolina Temple on Sunday, August 8, 2021. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

In this Dharma talk Rev. WonGong tells the members of the North Carolina temple that sleepyhead Buddhas, like her own teenage nieces, can use a good "power nap" every now and then. Presented August 7th, 2021 https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

Dharma Talk by Rev. Grace Song (July 18, 2021) at Won Buddhism of Manhattan