Receiving a Dharma Name is a great honor that represents an absolute commitment to the Won Buddhist path. Christine Donovan Ball received her name in 2024. This is her reflection on the journey that brought her there.
Irene Sadler (Won SaeRoWoom) the 2024 Dharma Name Recipient
Discussing the spiritual journey that led her to become a Dharma Name Recipient, Irene Sadler uses the metaphor of the Mugunghwa, or Rose of Sharon, to highlight the importance of proper nourishment and support on the spiritual path.
Walking with Teachers
Spiritual teachers do not always conform to the expectations of their students. However, even when rough and unpolished, they have a kind of radar that looks much further than the student can see. In this heartwarming dharma talk, Reverend Shaun explores the teacher-student relationship within Won Buddhism.
The Power of Water
After the recent floods in North Carolina and elsewhere, Reverend WonGong reflects on the power and possibility of water. The symbolism of water holds an essential place in Asian culture, and Taoism in particular. Watch now to see how water can serve as a guide and example as we flow down the path of spiritual practice.
Educating Others' Children
Educating others' children is one of the four essentials of Won Buddhism. Telling our Dharma Community about the All is Grace School in Zambia, which he helped found, and the All is Grace Community Partnership, John Miller discusses this surprisingly deep spiritual discipline.
Is There a Place for Anger?
Telling the story of her father's imprisonment in an Indian internment camp, Yeeva Cheng talks about the way anger can ripple outward (and downwards) from an experience of powerlessness or trauma. However, Yeeva argues, Anger can also be used to correct an injustice. How can we learn to transmute our anger into a force for justice and spiritual growth?
Dying With Grace
We are often told how to live well, but rarely told how to die well. But death, in Won-Buddhism, is simply the reflection of life, so dying well is fundamental to practicing well. In this talk Nik shares some experiences he has had with dying through taking care of his grandfather and how that relates to the Won-Buddhist scriptures.
What is Tao?
In this deep dive on the influence of Taoist thought in Won Buddhism, Reverend WonGong teaches us that going with the flow also means mindfully fulfilling our role in professional and personal relationships.
Do You Believe in Buddha?
Reverend Shaun was inspired to give this talk after receiving a call at the temple residence asking him if he believed in God. His answer may surprise you.
Why Do I Meditate?
Releasing Judgement; Finding Gratitude
Listen to this talk to hear how the practice of bringing oneself back to the breath helped release self-judgement for one temple member. Keep listening to hear how the release of self-judgement, when combined with a gratitude practice, led to inner transformation.
Be the Light
Upon his great awakening, Sotesan, our founding master, said: When the moon rises while a fresh breeze blows, the myriad forms become naturally clear. In this dharma talk, Reverend WonGong teaches us the meaning of this short verse and reflects upon the role of light in Won Buddhism.
Self Examination
In this talk on using the Dharma to combat depression, Anne Freeman imagines a conversation between herself, Master Sotesan, the founding teacher of Won Buddhism, and Emily Dickinson. What do these two figures say about dealing with difficult emotions and the evening blues? How can we use meditation to clear the weeds of disturbance from our mind field?
The Mirror of Practical Practice
This talk explores mindfulness tracking using diaries, apps, or small objects like beans. Kathleen Herr (Won HerrJu) shares personal experiences with tracking habits, including arriving early and speaking kindly. By observing patterns, they show how setbacks can lead to growth in mindfulness.
Numinous Awareness
Reverend WonGong explores the concept of numinous awareness, a deep knowing beyond ordinary perception. She connects it to Buddhist teachings, nature, and meditation, emphasizing its role in understanding our true nature. Through reflection and practice, she encourages us to recognize this awareness in everyday life.
Il Won Sang Vow: A Review
In this immensely helpful dharma talk, longtime practitioner Michael Macklin (HyoungSan-nim) beautifully guides us through the meanings and highlights of Won Buddhist teachings and philosophy woven together in the Il-Won-Sang Vow. In addition to sharing useful background information, Michael also points out how these teachings interconnect.
Everything I Thought I Knew About Gratitude was Wrong
Longtime temple practitioner Rod Cartier shares his journey of discovering that true gratitude is not just about recognizing blessings but about actively giving back, leading to peace and deeper connections.
Sangha Garden
Rev. WonGong reflects on all of the time and energy she has put into the gardens at our temple. Both the literal garden and the garden of our beautiful Sangha community.
Learning to Practice Equanimity
Understanding the true meaning of equanimity can sometimes feel elusive, but even when its meaning is clear, the path to its practice may not be. In this informative and insightful dharma talk, longtime practitioner, Pete Warshaw (Won JeeHo), shares his journey to find equanimity's meaning and practice, as well as a helpful tool he discovered along the way.
How to Care for Hungry Ghosts?
Hungry Ghosts, according to Temple Member Shauna Hay, are often desires that have never been satisfied and the “if only” mindset that comes with the fear of missing out. In her dharma talk, she discusses how we can love our hungry ghosts back to wholeness.