Won Buddhism


Wŏn Buddhism is a form of modernized Buddhism. Won Buddhism can be regarded either as a syncretic new religious movement or as an offshoot of Korean Seon.

Translations of the name

The name "Won Buddhism" comes from the Korean words 원/圓 won and 불교/佛敎 bulgyo, literally meaning "Round Buddhism" or interpreted as "Consummate Buddhism." By "consummate," Won Buddhists mean that they incorporate several different schools of Buddhist thought into their doctrine; that is, where some schools focus only on practicing meditation, some schools devote themselves fully to studying scriptures, and still others practice only their school's precepts, Won Buddhism believes in incorporating all three into daily practice.

History

Pak Chungbin attained bodhi in 1916. In 1924, he founded a new religious order with Buddhist teachings as its central doctrine, establishing the Society of the Study of the Buddhadharma at Iksan, North Jeolla Province.
In 1947, Song Gyu, the second patriarch, renamed the order "Wŏn Buddhism."

Scriptures and writings

Pak's original doctrine was published as the Pulgyo chŏngjŏn in 1943. It was later redacted and expanded to its current form in 1977, and today is included in the main doctrinal book Wŏnbulgyo chŏnsŏ. Wŏnbulgyo chŏnsŏ includes Chŏngjŏn, Taejonggyŏng, and several other primary canonical sources.

Connection to other Eastern philosophies

Won Buddhism can be considered an amalgamation of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism.