Won Buddhism () is a modern Buddhist religion originating in Korea. The name "Won Buddhism" comes from the Korean words 원/圓 won ("circle") and 불교/佛敎 bulgyo ("Buddhism"), literally meaning "Round Buddhism" or interpreted as "Consummate Buddhism." It can be regarded as either a syncretic new religious movement or a reformed Buddhism. 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. Emphasis is on interaction with daily life, not “stilling the impulses,” but rather acting in accord with “appropriate desires.” Won Buddhism's Founder, Sotaesan (Bak Jungbin, 1891–1943) believed that over-emphasis on the material world in relation to the spiritual world would create undue suffering; his Founding Motto was, “With this Great Opening of matter, let there be a Great Opening of spirit.”
Founder and early history
Background
Korea does not have a single dominant religion. Buddhism was introduced to the Korean peninsula in the 4th century CE. During the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), Confucianism became the predominant belief system and Buddhism was repressed. Christianity, initially Catholicism and later Protestantism, was introduced in the late 19th century. Under Japanese occupation (1910–1945), Japanese-oriented Buddhism became prominent in part to counter Christianity's influence. Concurrently during the late 19th/early 20th centuries, new movements arose in Korean Buddhism to reform its traditional elements or form a “new Buddhism,” e.g., Won Buddhism.
Founding of Won Buddhism
Sotaesan (), born Bak Jungbin (, 1891–1943), grew up in a poor village in the southwest corner of the Korean peninsula. His only formal education was two years of local primary schooling, in the Confucian tradition.
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. He began his quest by praying to mountain spirits for four years, following this with equally unsuccessful questioning of those considered enlightened teachers. Finally, he spent several years in deep observation and contemplation, often in harsh physical conditions. By the age of 25, he was viewed as a lost soul by his fellow villagers. On April 28, 1916, he claimed to have experienced enlightenment and entered a state of nirvana. Won Buddhists annually celebrate this date as Great Enlightenment Day.
Sotaesan did not set out specifically to embrace Buddhism. Rather, after his enlightenment he examined various religions. Although his thought contained Confucian and Taoist elements, after reading the Diamond Sutra he found himself predisposed to Buddhism.
He then attracted a small group of followers and selected nine disciples. Early guiding principles included diligence, frugality, elimination of formal rituals and superstition, and abstinence from alcohol and smoking 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. 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 August 1919, the nine disciples pledged to follow the new movement even at the cost of their lives. 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.
Sotaesan named his community Bulbeop Yeongu Hwe (Society for the Study of the Buddha-dharma) in 1924. It remained a small rural order based in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, until the Japanese occupation ended in 1945. Sotaesan's successor, Jeongsan (Song Gyu) renamed it Wonbulgyo (Won Buddhism) in 1947.
Since the end of Japanese occupation in 1945, Won Buddhism has grown markedly. The precise number of Won Buddhist practitioners worldwide is unclear. In South Korea's 2005 census, approximately 130,000 people identified themselves as members. However, this may be an underrepresentation, since people could also identify themselves on the census as “Buddhists.” Won Buddhist Headquarters estimates the number to be over 1 million worldwide. Currently, there are approximately 500 Won Buddhist temples in Korea and over 70 temples and centers in 23 countries. This includes 33 in the United States and 2 in Canada.