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Won Buddhism, one of the major religions of modern Korea, was established in 1916 by Pak Chung-bin (1891-1943), later known as Sot'aesan. In 1943 Sot'aesan published a collection of Buddhist writings, the Correct Canon of Buddhism (Pulgyo chongjon), which included the doctrine of his new order. Four years later, the second patriarch, Chongsan (1900-1962), had the order compile a new canon, which was published in 1962. This work, translated here as The Scriptures of Won Buddhism (Wonbulgyo kyojon), consists of the Canon (a redaction of the first part of the Pulgyo chongjon) and the analects and chronicle of the founder known as the Scripture of Sot'aesan. The present translation incorporates critical tenets from the 1943 Canon that were altered in the redaction process and offers persuasive arguments for their re-inclusion.

"Professor Chung has drawn on all the tools in his scholarly arsenal to convey the flavor and meaning of the original Korean texts. Written vernacular Korean was still very much a work in progress during the early twentieth century and the meaning of the Korean texts is not always clear-cut, even to the specialist. Professor Chung has taken an important first step in making this material intelligible to a Western audience." --- Robert E. Buswell, from the Foreword ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

What the World Needs Now
The Dharma taught by the modern master Soetaesan, called Won Buddhism around here, is eminently practical, accessible, elegant, and effective.I agree with Michael McCormick, the reviewer below, in every respect.I hope this translation makes the Won Dharma accessible to the disturbed, dissatisfied, and heartbroken in the English-speaking world (and that accounts for everyone at least sometimes).Americans are particularly lucky, as there are Won Temples open and ready to offer instruction and support in the U.S.

Part of the genius of Won Buddhism is its exceptionally clear presentation of the Dharma, without dumbing it down.Anybody can "get" it, all of it.

Won Buddhism advocates a society of well-educated people, led by the wise, and embracing full equality between men and women.Given the current chill ignorance and belligerance that mainstream American culture has become, I think the Won ideal is a noble aspiration for us to keep in mind.Here's to an enlightened future.

Down-to-earth Dharma for Everyone
Years ago when I was in college in Philadelphia I encountered Won Buddhism and an earlier translation of the teachings of their founder, Master Sotaesan. With the guidance of Rev. Bokin Kim, I was able to see how Won Buddhism presented a very well-rounded, streamlined, and practical approach to enlightenment. She also showed me the deep connections which Master Sotaesan't teachings had to Korean Buddhism which were not immediately apparent in the previous English translation of the Won Buddhist scriptures used at her temple at that time. Dr. Bongkil Chung's translation and introduction makes those connections much more apparent. And while his introduction can't replace the warm and generous spirit of Rev. Bokin Kim (who is now the academic dean of the Won Buddhist Institute in Abington, Pa) reading it certainly reminds me of all the things I learned from her and even fills in some crucial historical and doctrinal details that I had not known about before. Dr. Chung also forthrightly reveals some of the difficulties that Won Buddhism has had in defining itself as a Korean New Religion. Is it a self-sufficient teaching of Master Sotaesan, or was Sotaesan just trying to create a reformed and progressive version of Buddha Dharma? The differences between the 1943 and 1962 editions of the Korean text show that Won Buddhism has been leaning in the direction of independence from the broader Buddhist tradition, but Dr. Chung's translation of the 1943 edition shows that the original intention of Master Sotaesan may have been a renovation of Buddhism rather than a departure from it. As far as the content of the text itself, I personally feel that it is very much in keeping with the best traditions of East Asian Buddhism as well as Taoism and Neo-Confucianism. I actually visited the places where Master Sotaesan grew up, and they are still very rural. His far reaching and progressive vision of what Buddhism would have to become to speak to the modern world amazes me when I consider how restricted his early life and education was. Sotaesan's teaching in this book are in two parts. The first is the Canon which gives a straight forward lay out of his system. I find it very practical, and I even think that many parts of it will speak to Buddhists and perhaps people of other religions who will find the guidance and perspectives presented very helpful even if they are not or do not want to become Won Buddhists. The second part is the Scripture of Sotaesan. This may be more interesting as it is a collection of talks, anecdotes, and Dharma verses collected from throughout Master Sotaesan's time as a teacher. I think this section compares favorable with the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, and in many ways is more interesting and relevant because Master Sotaesan is addressing the problems of early 20th century Korea, including the problems of pseudo-religions, colonialism, technological advancements, and the encounter between Christianity and Buddhism. I think that Master Sotaesan't broad and magnanimous spirit, as well as his integrity and forward thinking can be an inspiration to all people, whether they are Won Buddhists, some other kind of Buddhist, or not even Buddhists at all. Master Sotaesan speaks to the sufferings and the aspirations of ordinary people who want to find out how to awaken in the midst of their daily lives.

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,
Ryuei ... Read more

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This study considers Won Buddhism, regarded as one of the major six religions in South Korea in the late-1990s. ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Wŏn Buddhism, Wŏnbulgyo, a compound of the Korean wŏn (circle) and pulgyo (Buddhism), means literally "Round Buddhism," or "Consummate Buddhism." It is the name of an indigenous religion founded in Korea in the twentieth century.According to Won Buddhist sources, Pak Chungbin (1891-1943; Sot'aesan) attained great enlightenment in 1916 and had a precognition of the world entering an era of advancing material civilization, to which humans would be enslaved. ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what it sees as inconsistencies in Mahayana Buddhism. Early Korean monks believed that the traditions they received from foreign countries were internally inconsistent. To address this, they developed a new holistic approach to Buddhism. This approach is characteristic of virtually all major Korean which is called Tongbulgyo ("interpenetrated Buddhism") by Korean scholars. Korean Buddhist thinkers refined their predecessors' ideas into a distinct form As it now stands, Korean Buddhism consists mostly of the Seon lineage. Seon has a strong relationship with other Mahayana traditions that bear the imprint of Chinese Ch'an teachings, as well as the closely related Japanese Zen. Other sects, such as the Taego, the modern revival of the Cheontae lineage, the "Jingak" order (a modern esoteric sect), and the newly formed Won, have also attracted sizable followings. ... Read more

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Syncretic Buddhism, like Christianity, has a long and honorable tradition in Korean religious thought. Pak Chung-bin (1891-1943) better known as Sot'aesan was a religious reformer and this study focuses on his reformation movement in Korea. Won Buddhism, its faith and practice, grew from this powerful religious (and national) movement. ... Read more

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Pamphlet ... Read more

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Black Softcover Book With Gold Trimmed Pages. Gold letterings on the cover and on the spine. Book comes in a black slip box. ... Read more

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first editionFirst edition. Full leather. Chonghwa-sa, Seoul (1971) Fine in very good dust jacket. Thin leather cover, in a black slipcase. Slipcase shows shelf wear, leather book is unopened and like new. 384 p. Small folio in thin leather cover with gild lettering. A rare publication in English Published and presented by the Won Buddhist Half-Centenial Commemoration Commission to attendies (which i attended) at the Half Centenial Celegration, and later available for sale. This book is referenced in: The Library of Gernot Prunner: Part Five: Eastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Tibet) ... Read more

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A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Yonsei University ... Read more