Begin the New Year of 2026 with Heart and Community

We warmly invite you to start 2026 in a spirit of connection and reflection.
Join us for our annual National Sangha Gathering—a joyful time to come together with friends, old and new, and welcome the New Year with Venerable Jooksanim.

We’ll share a moment of prayer, quiet reflection, and heartfelt intention as we enter 2026 with sincerity, mindfulness, and the shared warmth of our Won Buddhist community.

After you register, the Zoom link will be emailed to you on the morning of January 10th.

We look forward to beginning the New Year with you!

Make Your New Year’s Day a Special One!

New Year’s Day Celebration

Thursday, January 1, 2026
11:00 AM (ET) | In-person & Livestream

Celebrate the very first day of the New Year with us!

In Won Buddhism, beginning the year with a clear spirit and good intention is a meaningful and cherished tradition. By gathering on New Year’s Day, we set the tone for the year ahead with mindfulness, gratitude, and hope.

The program will include:

• Meditation and renewal prayer

• New Year’s message from Ven. Juksanim, Head Dharma Master of the USA

• Journaling New Year’s hopes and intentions (which will be mailed back to you at the end of the year)

• Celebration music, healthy refreshments and fellowship

Children who can enjoy at least five minutes of quiet sitting are welcome.
You are also invited to join us online—livestream available here.

With clear vision and bright energy, we look forward to welcoming the New Year together with you.

Year-end Letting-Go Ceremonies

Dear Friends,

On December 31, we will be offering our annual Year-end Letting-go Ceremonies at the Chapel Hill Temple.

• 4:00-5:15 PM Year-end Letting-go Ceremony (In-Person)

• 7:30-8:45 PM Year-end Letting-go Ceremony (In-Person)

Each program will include:

• Guided meditation and contemplation of the past year

• Karma burning ceremony: On a piece of paper, we will write down our heaviness and regrets from 2025 and burn our lists to enter the new year with a refreshed mind.

Children ages 10 and older are welcome (If they can safely hold lighted candles and enjoy sitting still for 5 minutes.)

For your reference, Here is the video of the previous ceremony.

We hope you can join us for one of these ceremonies. If you wish to join in person, please sign up. In consideration to others, please sign up only if you can commit to showing up.

Both sessions are now full.
Please join our Online Winter Retreat!

Let us welcome the Winter Solstice by immersing ourselves in deeply resonant healing sounds at the Chapel Hill Temple! We will have two 80-minute meditations (3 PM & 7 PM) immersed in the healing sounds of crystal bowls, gongs, and chanting voices.

In this magical time of dark and light, we will be guided to rest our hearts and minds, while tuning into the vibrations of vocal and instrumental sounds. As we gather in the community, the cosmic energy of the Winter Solstice invites us to release mental and emotional blockages. Come join us!

Suggested donation: $20-50

Spritual Thanksgiving Service
10 AM (ET), Sunday, November 30

Please join us as we rekindle hearts of gratitude and honor our deceased loved ones.

(Livestream & In Person at the Chapel Hill Temple)

One of the beautiful annual events at our Temple is our Spiritual Thanksgiving Service. Our service will include a guided meditation on gratitude, along with chants, prayers, and music. Children (over age 6) are invited to attend with their families! 

Photo: On this day, you are invited to place on the altar a photo of a deceased loved one(s)–family, friends, or pets.

Names: During a special prayer, we will read the names of deceased loved ones. To include the names of the people you wish to honor, please sign up.

Community Potluck: After the service, you are invited to join our Community Potluck in the Residence. If you would like to share a dish, please sign up via this link (Food contribution Sign Up) Everyone is welcome to join lunch (whether you bring a dish or not)!

Sound Bath

(3-4:30 PM, Saturday, Nov. 8, Raleigh Temple)

Sound Bath Meditation
3:00–4:30 PM | Saturday, Nov. 8 | Raleigh Temple

Come immerse yourself in sound bathing, a space filled with resonant harmonic vocals and peaceful vibrations. Let the singing bowls, pan drum, chimes, and gongs guide you into calm awareness and inner peace. For your self-care, join us to relax and let the sounds wash over you.

Our Raleigh Temple located near Falls Lake is infused with forest chi-energy. The cozy and open space invites you to rest and renew your energy through soothing live meditative sounds. We look forward to sharing this peaceful space with you.

Suggested donation: $15–40 (Please support as you are able.)

Please sign up by clicking the image below.

With this season of lovely autumn weather comes an exciting event: Won Buddhism’s 20th Anniversary in North Carolina!

This Sunday, October 26th, we will celebrate 20 years of teaching, meditation, music, a loving community, work, and fun! Special guests from near and far will be here, including Ven. Jooksanim, Won Buddhism USA’s Head Dharma Master. All are welcome, including children (ages 6 & older).

At 10 AM, there will be a special anniversary service at the Chapel Hill Temple. There are two ways you can join us: 

· In person: Our morning service will be followed by a celebration lunch. Please RSVP HERE to help us with planning. 

· Online through this link: 20th Anniversary Celebration (10-11:30 AM, Sunday, Oct. 26)

Celebration Service Program (10-11:30 AM)

• Opening Music: Children’s JangKu Drumming

• Opening Words: Rev. WonGong

• Korean Fan Dance: Sunny Kim

• Meditation, Young Joo & Gratitude Reflection

• Temple History Videos — introduced by Rev. Shaun

• Words of Blessing: Ven. Jooksanim, Head Dharma Master of Won Buddhism USA

• Violin Performance: excerpt from Chaconne (Partita No. 2 in D minor) by J.S. Bach — Jennifer Curtis

• Remarks: Jeff Jackson, North Carolina Attorney General

• Song: Visiting Kyomunims

• Jindo Drum Dance: Sunny Kim

• Closing Meditation: Patty Daniel

  Gentle Qigong on the deck (11:40-12:00): optional

Lunch & Music (12 - 2:30 PM)

• 12 noon: didgeridoo by Crystal

• 12:15-12:30 Guitar by John Miller

• 12:30-1:00 Pan drum by Crystal & tongue drum by Drew

• 1:00-1:10 Children’s drumming

• 1:10-2:00 Native American Flute & percussion jamming by Crystal & Drew

• 2:00-2:30 Korean drumming dance by Team Owlim

Temple Open House
(12-5 pm, Saturday, October 18)

Celebrate Autumn with family and friends at our Open House! 

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Won Buddhism in North Carolina, so this autumn's Open House is an especially meaningful one. Please come and celebrate our NC sangha at this wonderful event! 

As the heart of our community, your presence will make this day especially bright! We hope to see you there!

TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, October 18, 2025
12 Noon - 5 PM

Schedule of Events:

- 12 Noon: Gathering at Il-Won Garden (music & snacks)

- 1 PM: Opening Ceremony

- 2-5 PM: Mini-classes and Activities

Dharma Hall

• Sound Bath

• Dharma Hall Experience with Meditation

• Qi Gong

Residence

• Gift Shop

• Tea Ceremony

Outdoors

• Temple Musical Instrument Petting Zoo

• Drumming & Music

• Korean Pancakes & Bake Sale

• Games and Art

Won-Buddhism 201: A Closer Look (In-person)
September 27, Saturday, 3-5 pm

After having taken the Won Buddhism 101 Intro Class, do you feel eager to learn more? Or now have some new questions? 

To dive deeper into learning the essential teachings of Won Buddhism, please join our in-person intermediate class at the Chapel Hill Temple.

In this WB 201 class, we’ll explore:
• The meaning of Dharma
• How Karma shapes our lives
• Practical ways to live the Threefold Practice
• Experiencing Timeless Meditation

Come with your curiosity, your reflections, and any questions you’d love to explore together.

Please commit to the full two hours, so we can hold a vessel-of-community in learning. An extra 30 minutes after class is available for those who would like to stay for additional Q&A with the instructor.  

Suggested donation: $20-$40.

To sign up, please click the button below.

Inaugural Music Concert Fundraiser at the Raleigh Temple

2-3:30 PM, Sunday, September 21

We are happy to present a special music concert to benefit a much-needed roof repair at our Raleigh Temple. Please bring your family and tell your friends. Don’t miss this variety of lovely music the day before the autumn equinox. Thank you, dear friends, for supporting fundraising to raise the roof!

 Program Highlights:

• Traditional Korean dance by Sunny Kim

• Korean drumming & K-pop & Arirang songs by Revs Shaun & WonGong

• A cappella songs by Julie and Leslie

• Native Indian flute and improvised music by Crystal and Drew

• …and more!

* Admission: $20-50

Intro Class to Buddhism & Won-Buddhism

September 13, Saturday, 2:00 - 4:30 PM
(in person at Chapel Hill Temple)

Have you ever wondered about the differences between Buddhism and Won Buddhism? To find out, please join our class.

Anyone interested in exploring the essential teachings and philosophies of Buddhism & Won Buddhism is welcome to join. Taking this intro class more than one time can help you in your practice journey.

Suggested donation: $10-40 (Your generosity is appreciated.)

To sign up, please click the button below.

The Method of Sitting Meditation

All are welcome!

With open hearts and minds, we explore each chapter of the book “The Method of Sitting Meditation.” Every Thursday, we read, contemplate, and discuss its teachings together.

There are 3 options for you to join:

• 10-11:15 AM via Zoom

• 7-8:15 PM via Zoom

• 7-8:15 PM in person (Chapel Hill Temple Residence)

You can purchase a copy of the book from our temples.

Please sign up for more information and follow-ups.

Won-Buddhism Introductory Class (In-person)
at the Raleigh temple

On the Saturday of May, we're hosting our popular Won Buddhism Introductory Class at the Raleigh Temple. Whether you have attended Temple programs before or are brand new to the concepts of Buddhism and meditation, you are warmly welcome to join us!

During this interactive class, we'll explore the essential teachings and basic philosophies of Won Buddhism. This session will cover:

• The origins of Buddhism and Won Buddhism

• The role of meditation in Buddhist practice

• The meaning of Il Won Sang - the circle image you'll find hanging in our Temples

• What we mean when we say, "All is grace"

• And more!

Our Temple is an inclusive space where questions are encouraged and everyone is welcome. Please sign up only if you can commit to the full 2.5 hours so we can hold the vessel of community learning.

The suggested donation for this one-time class is $10 - $40. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Scholarships are also available; please contact wontemplenc@gmail.com in advance for scholarship information.

To sign up, please click the button below.

Here’s How it Works

Join us throughout the day for peaceful meditation sessions honoring those who have sacrificed—and continue to sacrifice—for the greater good of humanity.

• 10:00 AM – Opening Prayer Ceremony

• 10:30 AM–5:00 PM – 25-minute meditation sessions begin every 30 minutes
  (e.g., 10:30, 11:00, 11:30...)

• Each session is followed by a 5-minute transition for quiet entry, exit, or mindful movement

• You may come and go only during transition times between sessions

Guidelines for Practice

To maintain a peaceful atmosphere for all:

• Please enter and exit only during transition times (bell will ring)

• Remain for the full 25-minute session

• Keep noble silence throughout your time at the temple

• Drive in and out quietly

• Walking meditation on temple grounds is encouraged during breaks

If you're unable to join us in person, you’re warmly invited to practice with us from wherever you are using this schedule.

With the blessing of this practice, may WE abide in our peaceful nature, ready to share peace in our lives and with the world.

Feel free to sign up in advance—or just drop in quietly during a transition period. You’re warmly welcome either way.

Thursday Dharma Study

Thursday Dharma Study—all are welcome!

With open hearts and minds, we delve into one dharma passage every week. Every Thursday, we contemplate and discuss passages from Chapter 3 – Practice.

There are 3 options for you to join:

• 10-11:15 AM via Zoom

• 7-8:15 PM via Zoom

• 7-8:15 PM in person (Chapel Hill Temple Residence)

You can purchase a copy of the Scripture of Won Buddhism from our temples, or you can access it through this link: http://wonscripture.org/Main/SubIndex/daejong0354

If you are New to the class, please email wontemplenc@gmail.com to let us know you will be attending in person, or to receive the zoom link.

Spring Open House

(12-4 pm, April. 27)

Stay connected—there’s more to come!

Mini classes  
- Qigong (ancient energetic martial arts)
- Dharma Hall Experience
- Sound Healing Sessions
- Meditation Class

Jump in anytime to:
- Fun kids activities (arts, crafts & Korean folk games)
- Korean tea ceremonies 
- Meditation path and garden

** No experience is required for any of the activities.
    Children are welcome!

Please save the date, Sunday, April 27th. 🎶

In Won Buddhism, we call April the month of Great Awakening. 

On April 28, 1916, our Founding Teacher, Sotaesan, attained his Great Enlightenment, and Won Buddhism was born. April is the biggest month of celebration for Won Temple communities throughout the world.

On the Great Awakening day, we celebrate:

1. Sotaesan’s Great Awakening

2. The Beginning of Won Buddhism

3. The spiritual birthday of our Reverends and ourselves

4. And… the great potential in each of us for our own great awakening

In the morning (10 AM), we will have a special service to celebrate the birthday of Won Buddhism with:
- Singing and Chanting
- Prayers and Meditation
Join us in person or online (YouTube Live)

In the afternoon (12-4 PM), we will celebrate with our open house.
Mini classes  
- Qigong (ancient energetic martial arts)
- Dharma Hall Experience
- Sound Healing Sessions
- Meditation Class

You can also enjoy:
- Live Music
- Fun kids activities (arts, crafts & Korean folk games)
- Korean tea ceremonies 
- Meditation path and garden

** No experience is required for any of the activities.
    Children are welcome!

At 4 PM, at the Raleigh Temple, we will continue the special celebration.
- Activity Stations
- Live Music & Refreshments

Please save the date, Sunday, April 27th. 🎶

Qigong Workshop

Saturday, February 22 (2-5 PM)

The class will be held at the Raleigh Temple. 

Hope to learn basic Qigong and Tai-chi forms that you can easily include in your daily practice? What to explore how Qigong can lead to a deeper meditation? If so, please join our 3-hour Qigong Workshop at our Raleigh Temple on Saturday, February 22. Rev. WonGong’s accessible teaching style invites all–beginners, those who have been practicing for awhile, and those who aspire to teach Qigong to others. (Donation: the suggested donation is $10-$50)

We are sorry. All spaces have been filled.

Won-Buddhism Introductory Class (Virtual)
January 15, Wednesday, 6-8 pm ET

Have you ever wondered about the differences between Buddhism and Won Buddhism? To find out, please join our class—from wherever you are—via Zoom!

Anyone interested in exploring the essential teachings and philosophies of Buddhism & Won Buddhism is welcome to join. Taking this intro class more than one time can help you in your practice journey. Please sign up if you can commit to two full hours so we can create the vessel of community learning together.

Suggested donation: $10-30 (Your generosity is appreciated.)

To sign up, please click the button below.

Join us for a heartwarming start to the New Year of 2025!

Let us come together for a moment of silence, prayer, and sharing as we welcome the New Year with Venerable Juksanim. Join us for the 2nd National Sangha Gathering as we come together to experience the beginning of 2025 surrounded by the warmth and sincerity of our Won Buddhist community from around the country.

What’s in store for this 1.5-hour gathering:

• Sharing from each temple community.

• Connect with friends from other temples in cozy breakout rooms.

• Q & A session with Ven. Jooksanim, Head Dharma Master of the U.S.

• Community prayer and meditation.

This is your chance to start the New Year with a sense of togetherness and hope.

 A beautiful beginning begets a beautiful ending!

Make Your New Year’s Day a Special One!

New Year’s Day Celebration

Wednesday, January 1, 2025
11 AM (ET), In-person & Livestreaming:

Celebrate the first day of the New Year with meditation, prayers, music, followed by healthy refreshments and fellowship!

 The program also includes:

·       A dharma talk from Rev. WonGong.
·       Contemplative writing of our New Year’s hopes, resolutions, and intentions (We will place one copy on the altar, which will later be mailed to you.)

 With clear vision and bright energy, we look forward to greeting the New Year with you! Children are welcome!

Year-end Letting-Go Ceremonies

Our in-person ceremonies are full.
Please enjoy our livestream of the online ceremony via YouTube Live (starts at 7:30 pm.)

Dear Friends,

On December 31, we will be offering Year-end Letting-go Ceremonies.

• 4:00-5:15 PM Year-end Letting-go Ceremony (In-Person Only)

• 7:30-8:45 PM Year-end Letting-go Ceremony (In-Person & Online)

Each program will include:

• Guided meditation and contemplation of the past year

• Karma burning ceremony: On a piece of paper, we will write down our heaviness and regrets from 2024 and burn our lists to enter the new year with a refreshed mind.

Children ages 10 and older are welcome (If they can safely hold lighted candles and enjoy sitting still for 5 minutes.)

For your reference, Here is the video of the previous ceremony.

We hope you can join us for one of these ceremonies. If you wish to join in person, please sign up. In consideration to others, please sign up only if you can commit to showing up.

Let us welcome the Winter Solstice by immersing ourselves in deeply resonant healing sounds at the Chapel Hill Temple! We will have two 80-minute meditations (3 PM & 7 PM) immersed in the healing sounds of crystal bowls, gongs, and chanting voices.

In this magical time of dark and light, we will be guided to rest our hearts and minds, while tuning into the vibrations of vocal and instrumental sounds. As we gather in the community, the cosmic energy of the Winter Solstice invites us to release mental and emotional blockages. Come join us!

The suggested donation for this special event is $20-40. (If you use PayPal, our Temple is charged a 3% fee, so please consider adding 3% to cover this fee. Thank you!)

Spritual Thanksgiving Service
10 AM (ET), Sunday, December 1

(Livestream & In Person at the Chapel Hill Temple)

During this Thanksgiving month, we are blessed to rekindle our hearts of gratitude! On Sunday, December 1st, we will gather to celebrate and honor our deceased loved ones at our annual Spiritual Thanksgiving Service. Please bring photos of your ancestors and deceased family members, friends, pets, and anyone deceased who has been special in your life. This service will also include a guided meditation on gratitude, chants, prayers, and music. Children are invited to attend with their families! 

Please click here to add the names of your deceased loved ones you would like to honor. Their names will be included in a prayer at the service.

Community Potluck

Immediately after our special Thanksgiving service, everyone is warmly invited to stay for a community potluck at the Residence with fellowship and good cheer.

If you’d like to share a dish, please bring a ready-to-serve dish that feeds 10 people to the Residence between 9:30-9:50 AM before the service begins. Include a card listing the ingredients. If you plan to contribute a dish or beverage, please go to this Link to Thanksgiving Meal Sign Up. Please don’t feel obligated to bring a dish—there always is plenty to share. The most important thing to bring is yourself!

Any questions? Please contact our potluck coordinator,
Holly: hollynorth20@gmail.com

I’m sorry. We are now fully booked. Please join our next event in December.

Sound Healing Meditation

(4-5:30 PM, Sunday, Nov. 10, Raleigh Temple)

Come immerse yourself in a sound healing experience through deeply resonant vocal and instrumental vibrations.

Our Raleigh Temple located near Falls Lake is infused with forest chi-energy. The cozy and open space invites you to come relax in inner peace.

Our suggested donation is $15-40; please support however you can (no one will be turned away for lack of funds.)

Please sign up by clicking the button below.

Won-Buddhism Introductory Class (Virtual)
October 12, Saturday, 2-4 pm ET

Have you ever wondered about the differences between Buddhism and Won Buddhism? To find out, please join our class—from wherever you are—via Zoom!

Anyone interested in exploring the essential teachings and philosophies of Buddhism & Won Buddhism is welcome to join. Taking this intro class more than one time can help you in your practice journey. Please sign up if you can commit to two full hours so we can create the vessel of community learning together.

Suggested donation: $10-30 (Your generosity is appreciated. Please know that scholarships are also available; please contact us in advance to learn more.)

To sign up, please click the button below.

Won-Buddhism Introductory Class (In-person)
at the Raleigh temple

On Saturday, August 17th from 2:30 - 5:00pm we're hosting our popular Won Buddhism Introductory Class at the Raleigh Temple. Whether you have attended Temple programs before or are brand new to the concepts of Buddhism and meditation, you are warmly welcomed to join us!

During this interactive class, we'll explore the essential teachings and basic philosophies of Won Buddhism. This session will cover:

• The origins of Buddhism and Won Buddhism

• The role of meditation in Buddhist practice

• The meaning of Il Won Sang - the circle image you'll find hanging in our Temples

• What we mean when we say, "All is grace"

• And more!

Our Temple is an inclusive space where questions are encouraged and everyone is welcome. Please sign up only if you can commit to the full 2.5 hours so we can hold the vessel of community learning.

The suggested donation for this one-time class is $10 - $30. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Scholarships are also available; please contact wontemplenc@gmail.com in advance for scholarship information.

To sign up, please click the button below.

Suggested donation: $10 - $30

Please use one of the methods via this link: https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations or you can pay at the door.

*Please specify "Meditation Intro" on the payment. (If you are a monthly temple sustainer, this class is our gift to you.)

This class is for anyone who is interested in learning the basics of meditation with guidance from an experienced teacher. Meditation is a powerful technique for dealing with stress, difficult emotions, and uncertainty.  During this one-time, 90-minute class, we'll cover the foundations of what meditation is and how to start practicing it. You'll experience:

• Guided seated meditation

• Qigong moving meditation

• Deep breathing techniques

• Group chanting meditation

Everyone will have the opportunity to experiment with using different props and tools to find a comfortable meditation posture that works for them. We'll also have an interactive question and answer session. This special class is a great way to try out meditation in a supportive and inclusive environment.