Longtime Won Buddhist practitioner, Kelly Denno (Won YeeSuh) transforms the abstract concept of Truth into an intimate part of her practice by embracing "don't know" mind and her true nature. She warmly invites us to try this practice out for ourselves. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

The graces of fellow beings can appear in a myriad of ways--some quite unexpectedly. In this tour of a journey to and from a retreat in New York, Rev. WonGong, colorfully and thoughtfully illustrates how mind practice helped her release expectations and open windows to unanticipated grace and healing. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Longtime Won Buddhist practitioner, Patty Daniel (Hwa Tawonim) unfolds each aspect of the Threefold Practice (equanimity, wisdom, and choice) in this friendly and accessible dharma talk. As she does so, she points out that with consistent practice, these aspects beautifully and dynamically intertwine and shape our minds, bodies, hearts, and energy. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

As a scientist, temple practitioner John Miller knows what the word "spontaneous" means. Unexpectedly bumping into this familiar concept during a retreat, and diving into what both Won Buddhism and the Tao Te Ching have to say about it is captivating journey. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Meditation in a sitting position is often the first kind many practitioners experience, yet, Buddhism is home to a variety of techniques and methods. As Rev. WonGong explores the world of meditation in her instructive dharma talk, she also guides us to its heart and purpose. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

The aspiration to see the universe through a pure mind is beautiful in principle, but manifesting it in real life can sometimes be daunting. It is this very challenge that Rev. WonGong thoughtfully explores as she reflects on Sotaesan's wisdom and the opportunities to practice it in our lives. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

For some, the term, "Middle Way," might seem like a recommendation for blandness. However, Won Buddhist practitioner, Christine Donovan Ball, shows just the opposite is true in this dharma talk. Through personal reflection, she beautifully illustrates how deeply profound and impactful the practice of the Middle Way can be. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations Transcript: https://wonbuddhismnc.sharepoint.com/...

Doorways can be transformative portals, and in this reflective dharma talk, longtime practitioner, Kathleen Herr (Won HerrJu), highlights how the accessible teachings of Won Buddhism were designed with inclusiveness as a goal. As we practitioners pass through these dharma portals, we are invited to be in relationship with what we discover upon entering. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

In this powerful dharma talk, Rev. ZiYoung Kang dives into the heart of the universal Truth of Il-Won and shows us how we can nurture and manifest this Truth in our daily lives. Step-by-step, she unloosens the threads of "voidness," "completeness," and "rightness" and shares how these fundamental qualities of Truth can be woven together into a beautiful and meaningful practice. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

What does it mean to return home? This is the question practitioner Cassie Hanson asks and answers in this poignant and moving dharma talk. Unlike the shifting comfort we experience from our temporal homes, the true home of our Buddha nature is ever-present and embraces us without limitation. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations Transcript: https://wonbuddhismnc.sharepoint.com/...

Through wisdom gained in the garden, Rev. WonGong shares an essential truth with us in this bright and focused dharma talk. She notes that just as healthy roots are the foundation of plants, the health of our practice is determined by the quality of the spiritual roots we grow and nourish.

From a Buddhist perspective, awareness of the prejudices we project onto others is an awareness of our habitual and reactive mind. In this inwardly-and-outwardly-focused dharma talk, Rev. Shaun Song explores his own journey of reactivity to race and his path to untangle and release knots of habitual thinking through meditation. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations Transcript: https://wonbuddhismnc.sharepoint.com/...

"Beginner's mind" is an important guiding tenet for many Buddhists, but sometimes it's initial brightness can fade over time. In this insightful dharma talk, longtime Won Buddhist practitioner, Pete Warshaw (Won JeeHo), reimagines the possibilities and shares how purposeful action can reinvigorate our beginner's mind and our practice. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations Transcript: https://wonbuddhismnc.sharepoint.com/...

The threads of Won Buddhist teachings are woven together into a beautiful and powerful fabric of practice. In this heartfelt dharma talk, longtime practitioner, Holly North (Won Jah Yoo) shows us how this great Way can be a source of comfort, creativity, and healing. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Poetic descriptions can be very powerful, as practitioner Mattie Decker (Won BupJon) reveals in this enriching dharma talk. While we often think of dharma springing from roots into its leaves, true dharma beautifully opens itself to us, no matter where or how we first encounter it. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

The words, "Buddha offering," might conjure an image of flowers, candles, and incense placed on an altar. But, in this illuminating dharma talk, Rev. WonGong shares a unique perspective: Won Buddhism's pragmatic approach, in which practitioners embody: "Everywhere a Buddha image; every act a Buddha offering." https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

For some, Buddhist prayer might seem somewhat nebulous, but in this beautiful dharma talk, longtime practitioner, Lara Olson (Won LaSon), gently explores the depths of prayer's many layers. In the process, she finds that an awesome power and peace emerge when we are aligned with universal Truth. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations Transcript: https://wonbuddhismnc.sharepoint.com/...

What is "mind" in Buddhism? As Rev. Shaun Song so beautifully describes in this dharma talk, "mind" is not merely a description of brain activity. Rather, it is the essential commingling of mind, spirit and true nature -- the impetus for all our actions and experiences. To cultivate its power and depth, wise teachers and sages guide us to focus the mind through sincere practice. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations Transcrip: https://wonbuddhismnc.sharepoint.com/...

In this softly unfolding dharma talk, Rev. WonGong contemplates one of Buddhism's most beautiful metaphors: the light of bright wisdom shining from the moon of Truth. While our teachers can point to the moon and its light, it is we practitioners who must find our own way to its Truth. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations Transcript: https://wonbuddhismnc.sharepoint.com/...

The vision of Won Buddhism’s founder, Master Sotaesan, is beautifully fundamental: “All things are of one body and one nature.” With hope and enthusiasm, Rev. ZiYoung Kang shares her contemplation of Sotaesan’s vision in this bright dharma talk and highlights the ways in which it has and could further unfold. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations http://wonscripture.org/Main/SubIndex... Transcript: https://wonbuddhismnc.sharepoint.com/...

Four simple words - keep calmly knowing change - has opened the floodgates of inspiration and understanding for our own Pete Warshaw (Won Jee Ho) here at the North Carolina Temple. Listen to learn the powerful meaning behind this simple message. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations Transcript: https://wonbuddhismnc.sharepoint.com/... What Is Impermanence in Buddhism? - Lion's Roar (lionsroar.com): https://www.lionsroar.com/impermanenc...

Why are the wooden bells found in Buddhist temples in East Asia called "Wooden Fish?" This tiny talk by Rev. WonGong lets you in on the secret! As a bonus, you'll also get pointers on how to avoid getting hooked on tempting thought-bait while meditating! https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

This year, our Temple is focusing our study on "Doctrine" from the "The Scripture of the Founding Master." Long time practitioner, Michael Macklin (HyoungSan), introduces us to Won Buddhism's essential teachings, which knit together Śākyamuni Buddha's instruction with the truth of Il-Won-Sang (one circle image). Scripture of the Founding Master, Ch. 2 Doctrine v. 29 [http://wonscripture.org/Main/SubIndex...] Scripture of the Founding Master, Ch. 2 Doctrine v. 11 [http://wonscripture.org/Main/SubIndex...] Scripture of the Founding Master, Ch. 2 Doctrine v. 6 [http://wonscripture.org/Main/SubIndex...] https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

What, exactly, is Won Buddhism, and how does it contribute to the lives of sentient beings? We already have great religions like Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Rev. WonGong elucidates how Won Buddhism synthesizes the best parts of these wisdom traditions into the "Threefold Practice" of Cultivation, Inquiry, and Choice in Action. See just how Il-Won, one circle, symbolizes this practice into a wholistic, "...great Way that reaches everywhere." https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Jennifer Gad (Won JaeIn), shares her thoughts on her journey to Won Buddhism and receiving a dharma name. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Anthony Gad (Won SuhJin), shares his thoughts on his journey to Won Buddhism and receiving a dharma name. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Daniel Mattingly (Won DaeJin) shares his thoughts on his journey to Won Buddhism and receiving a dharma name. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

What, exactly, is a "DahnJon" (Dantien) and how can it vitalize our meditation? Rev. WonGong translates this Asian concept into a concrete practice that helps us burn our abundant thought-wood in the fireplace of our breathing steam engines. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

December Prayer 2022 by Rev. WonGong

The true art of giving is an art defined by joy! In this heartwarming dharma talk, longtime practitioner Nate Jackson (Won JaySon), reflects on his own journey of joy catalyzed by a DANA practice that springs spontaneously from his heart. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Oftentimes, we do not appreciate how gratitude is connected with our original true nature or with impermanence. But, in this happily reflective dharma talk, Rev. Shaun Song highlights these truths and shares how they have unfolded in his life. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Have you ever wondered about how other people experience sitting meditation? Long-time practitioner, Ann Freeman (Won HaeRee) did, and it inspired her to embark on a wonderful journey of discovery by interviewing fellow practitioners to find answers. Listen in and enjoy the tour! https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

To prepare for death is to prepare for living fully. With a keen eye, longtime practitioner, Paula Sims (Won ShimJin) explores this topic through the lenses of the book, A Year to Live, by Stephen Levine; the Buddhist teaching of the Five Remembrances; and a flock of wild turkeys in her backyard. Each helps her unfurl the power of resistance and the power of gratitude in her life. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

"What is the purpose of practice?" Buddhism asserts that suffering, and the path to freedom from suffering is something sentient beings have in common. Rev. ZiYoung introduces a profound practice found in one of Buddhism's pivotal texts, the Diamond Sūtra, which illuminates true nature. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

In this wonderfully dynamic dharma talk, Won Buddhist practitioner, Tiffany Heath (Won Dwok Hwa) describes how the Four Great Bodhisattva Vows help her to fully be open and present in her work on behalf of others and not entangled by judging a world she is helping to heal. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Won Dharma Center retreatan, Carol Golin, shares how practicing in nature reenergized the depleted energy she experienced while practicing at home. See how this nature-reset impacted her practice as she now settles back into a daily routine. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

For some practitioners, a focus on the discipline of practice may cause deep spiritual joy to seem elusive. But, in this encouraging dharma talk, Rev. WonGong breaks through such self-created barriers. She reflects on the many facets of joy that humans experience – from the fleeting to the profound – and shares her perspectives about the source and power of spiritual joy. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

What, exactly, happens during a Won Buddhist retreat? Long time temple practitioner Pete Warshaw (Won Jee Ho) details the many practices in which you may engage, and the impact they may have on your personal spiritual path. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Koan contemplations can be challenging, but in this dharma talk, Won Buddhist practitioner, Cassie Hanson, turns those challenges into poetry as she invites us to journey with her in a search for connection, meaning, and awakening. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

In beautiful prose, dharma friend Janice Marie invokes the image of Mount Tai as an offering in gratitude to her retreat teachers, and also as the aspiration and model of her own practice. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

What arises for you when you attend a week-long retreat? Dharma friend Jared Heelis (Won JaeRyong) shares how his karmic struggles with "Noble Silence" helps to expose true nature. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

What is it like to attend a focused, seven day retreat in noble silence? Irene Sadler shares her deep and vulnerable reflections about the internal chatter that can rise up, and at the same time, show the way to a deeper connection with true nature. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Rev. WongGong asks if we need to spend our lives forever pulling out the proliferating mind-weeds of distraction and disturbance? The secret may lie in the fact that there is no garden, and therefore, no weeds! Can this be so? See what Rev. WonGong means in her dharma message on this important topic. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

In this beautiful and seasonal dharma talk, Rev. WonGong invites us to embrace early autumn’s balance of yin and yang in our practice and in our lives. She encourages us to abide in the harmonious energies of warmth and coolness, and to be like autumn trees – letting go of what is no longer useful so that we can experience vast spaciousness. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations