At the turn of the 20th century the world was entering a new era of crisis and turbulence. Korea lost her national identity to Japanese colonialism in 1910 and her people were suffering in the tightening claws of the aggressors. In such a hopeless situation a young man of age 25 attained a great spiritual awakening in 1916 after eighteen years of search for truth and ascetic practice. By the time of the great enlightenment this man was regarded as a pitiful invalid by his villagers as he had been absorbed in the inquiry into the mystery of the universe and the meaning of human existence.

After the enlightenment, however, he appeared to the villagers as a great sage with imposing power. About forty men, some of them his seniors, became his followers. The name of this man was Pak Chung-bin (1891-1943), better known as Sot'aesan.

Upon his enlightened vision was reflected that human beings were going to he enslaved to the power of material civilization. In his enlightened vision, it was urgent to strengthen the spiritual power of mankind in order to restore and protect the dignity of mankind from the formidable material power.

The world could not he delivered from the tormenting seas of misery to a vast and limitless paradise unless the spiritual power of human beings be unfolded. The only way to unfold the spiritual power was by faith in a truthful religion and training in a sound morality.

The practice of Won Buddhism has two aspects: realization of buddha-nature and “time-less and placeless Zen.” This means that the adherents of Won Buddhism seek to see the Buddha in all things and to live in accordance with this insight. This type of meditation is called timeless and placeless because it does not depend on specific meditation periods and balls, but is to be practiced always and everywhere.

In Won Buddhism only one meditation object is used - a black circle on a white field, which symbolizes the cosmic body of Buddha, the dharmakaya. The name of the school is derived from this circle. Won Buddhism is not a purely monastic religion. Monks are permitted to marry. There are no specific ceremonies and rituals; an attempt is made to adapt to the needs of modern men and women. Thus the most important sutras were translated into easily understandable Korean. The followers of Won Buddhism are active in social and charitable work.

So-tae-san

So-tae-san, the Founder of Won Buddhism - Sot’aesan is his Dharma name, and Taejongsa is his Dharma Title, by which he is referred to within the Won Buddhist order. Sot’aesan Taejongsa was born as a son of a peasant on May 5, 1891 in Youngchon, Kilryong Li, Paeksoo Myeon, Youngwang County, Chunnam Province. So-tae-san’s path to Buddhist awakening started with common questions. Since the age of seven, So-tae-san had inquired into the natural phenomena of the universe; the processes of human life - birth, aging, diseases, and death; various human emotions - happiness, anger, sadness, and joy. After twenty years of incessant searching he finally obtained the great awakening after entering nirvana. After the great awakening, Sot’aesan observed that people of the contemporary world were enslaved by materialism due to the loss of spiritual power, which can make good use of materials. He founded the Won Buddhist order with the goal of leading all human beings from the state of samsara into paradise on earth with the help of his nine disciples.

He initiated many innovations - such as dispensing with formalities and vanity, abolishing superstition, executing thrift and savings, and erecting an embankment to reclaim land from the sea. So-tae-san wrote the doctrine and institutional system of Won Buddhism. He established the headquarters of Won Buddhism in Iksan city and started the Won Buddhist community in the headquarters. He passed away at the age of 53 on June 1, 1943, after twenty eight years’ selfless mission.

History

Many people came to So-tae-san who was awakened to the Truth of Irwon (Dharmakaya). From among them, So-tae-san chose nine diciples for the foundation of the Won Buddhist order. He established a successful embankment project which reclaimed a beach for use as farm-land. While contemplating the Truth of Irwon with his nine disciples, at the mountain peaks for 100 days, he received authentication for the mission of the Won Buddhist order from the realm of Buddha. So-tae-san established the headquarters of the new order in Sinyong Dong, Iksan City,(Formerly Iri), the present headquarters. So-tae-san wrote and edited Chong-jon - the basic scripture - and other canonical texts.

So-tae-san was succeeded by Chongsan, Kyu Song (1900-1962), who was born in Songju, Korea, Kyongbuk Province. Chongsan performed relief work for war refugees after Korea won its independence from Japanese control and after the civil war between North and South Korea. He passed away on January 22, 1962 after twenty-nine years’ mission. Chongsan was succeeded by Taesan, Taego Kim(1916-), the Third Prime Master. Taesan actively promotes plans for building one global community.

Goals of Won Buddhist Mission

The Won Buddhist order is bringing beneficence to the human race by way of mission, education, and charity, which are its three major tasks. Mission is accomplished mainly at the Won Buddhist temples. It goal to deliver Won Buddhist teachings to people who have are seeking a more enlightened way. It also purposes to help people to discover the Buddha nature within themselves - which is equal to the nirvana of Buddhas - and to become free from karmic bondage augmented by regular services, training sessions, rituals,counseling, and other support in the temples.

Won Buddhist educational task seeks to dispel the negative effects of karma and realizes ignorance, and to manifest brightness and the emancipation that comes with knowledge. These goals are fulfilled in the educational institutions affiliated with the Won Buddhist order. At the same time, Won Buddhism’s goal for education is the goal of education in general, which purposes to promote human spirituality and world civilization for a better world. Charitable work aims to protect disadvantaged people in the realms of spiritual, physical, or material conditions, and to help them to cultivate independence. It also aims to build a society based on the ideals of perfection and equality.

For these goals, the Won Buddhist order has established many charitable institutions and welfare facilities for homeless people, orphans, disabled people, aged people, sick people, and various neglected people in the society.

Soe Tae San taught that human beings become enslaved to materialism and degenerate due to the influence of advanced science and technology. The United Religions Movement” purposes to free the individual from one’s own religious egotism and boundaries, and to fulfill the original mission of religion.

In furtherance of the goal of religious cooperation, the Won Buddhist community proposes to establish an institutionalized organization for world religions comparable to, and on parallel with, the United Nations organization. The Won Buddhist community aims to take the lead in removing the boundaries and barriers of the past, and creating one global family on earth, in tandem with other religious communities

Tag: Soe Tae San