The Heart Of Practice NC

Discover how love is expressed in Won Buddhism through the profound teachings of loving-kindness and compassion. In this talk, we explore the “two faces” of love—joy and sorrow—and how an awakened heart celebrates the wellbeing of others while tenderly embracing their suffering.

Rev. WonGong gives a talk on the theme "We Are One, We Are Whole" and invites us to introduce into our practice a mantra, "I am enough, I am whole."

Even a few minutes can transform your mind when you bring true presence—discover how the quality of your meditation matters more than the quantity. Take a moment to listen and reconnect with the depth already within you.

Do your actions always align with your wishes? This is the question Won Buddhist practitioner, Paige Doster-Grimes, explores in this bright and clear dharma talk. Using the curiosity of children as inspiration, she shows us how answering that question can aid our practice.

In this insightful Dharma talk, Eric Priest explores the delicate distinction between our true nature and the ego. Using the classic Zen analogy, he reminds us that while our ego may point toward the truth, it is merely the finger pointing at the moon—not the moon itself. Eric cautions practitioners against the subtle traps of the spiritual path, where one might mistake a fleeting moment of insight for mastery. Just as tasting a slice of cake does not make one a chef, clinging to spiritual ideas does not constitute realization. He emphasizes that true spiritual progress is found not in the concepts we hold, but in the sincere actions we take in our daily lives. Join us as we reflect on how to move beyond the delusions of the "self" and ground our practice in lived experience.

Join our good temple friend, Nik (Won HaeWol), as he shares insights on journaling and his intention to begin a new journaling practice. In addition, he explores how some simple habits in the day can help relieve stress and return to mindfulness. Please leave any thoughts or reflections in the comments

In this guided meditation, Rev. WonGong both elaborates upon, and also focuses the mind, to become aware of the Fourfold Grace here and now. http://wonscripture.org/Main/SubIndex... Join her in surrendering to this grace which is so pervasive, like oxygen, that it may be under the radar in the midst of the busy and distracted now.

Michael Macklin gives his eye-opening take on The Truth of Il Won Sang and the stages of spiritual development along the Won Buddhist path.

Rev. WonGong delivers a Dharma Talk about the fact that work is practice, along with practical advice about how to approach work challenges, to the members of the North Carolina Temple on Sunday, July 18th, 2021.

Reverend WonGong reflects on the temple’s Minari garden and the profound lessons found in this humble Korean vegetable. Once a few seeds are planted, Minari spreads with the vigor of a weed, yet remains nutritious and savory. In the same way, the blessings we sow in the lives of others return to us many thousands of times over.

In this Dharma talk Rev. WonGong introduces the concept of "no self" as changing aggregates and presents ways in which we can conceptualize true nature in the realm of Il-Won-Sang. Presented to the members of the North Carolina Temple on Sunday, August 8, 2021

In reflecting on the significance of calendars, Reverend Wongong suggests that a well-structured life is the foundation of a life well-lived. Beyond simple organization, a calendar serves as a catalyst for commitment and a poignant reminder of impermanence. As the Reverend eloquently puts it: "Each day on the calendar is not merely a square to be filled, but a field of karmic cultivation."

In October 2018, Reverend WonGong discussed the importance of managing expectations and releasing judgmental thoughts. She encouraged us to ask, "Am I bothered by the person, or by their action?" By moving beyond dualistic thinking, we can embrace the sentiment of Buffalo Springfield: "If nobody’s right, then everybody's wrong."

With emotion and deep wisdom, Rev. WonGong reminds us that we all have the seeds of compassion and Buddhahood within us. She describes how "Buddha" and "Bodhisattva" are synonyms and their application melt away the three poisons of greed, anger, and delusion. All of this can be realized by letting our own little lights shine, no matter how small each little flame may appear to be.

In honor of monks' peace walk, Rev. WonGong shares her talk. "May our steps be gentle and grounded; may our hearts be resolved; may we walk in peace, for peace."

Guided Meditation on Loving Kindness. Perfect for the Valentines day season.

Reverend WonGong discusses the first of the Essential Dharmas of Daily Practice. The mind is originally free from disturbance. Therefore, all disturbances arise from sensory conditions. What are we supposed to do with this information? https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations The First Essential Dharma of Daily Practice Won Buddhism of NC Download

In this beautiful guided meditation by Rev. WowGong from November 2018, we are brought to a deep appreciation of the fact that all is grace. Learning to breathe in and breathe out gratitude, we release all our thoughts and dwell in a grateful mind.

Holy North (Won JahYoo) offers a moving reflection on her personal journey through addiction and recovery. Drawing deep insight from the Won koan, "All dharmas return to one; to what does the one return?" she concludes that every individual is inherently perfect and complete exactly as they are. Through the lens of the threefold practice, she demonstrates how we can all evolve into more dedicated Dharma practitioners and more compassionate human beings.

If you’ve been looking to get started in meditation but don’t know where to start, look no further. Reverend WonGong gives a survey of all the forms of meditation that we use in Won Buddhism, including the Rag Doll Method.

Our dear temple friend, Kathy (Won JiYeon), visited from the Won Dharma Center in New York. In this talk, she shares about how she came to walk this path of Won-Buddhism and how it led to her sharing the house of the grand universe with all of us. Please share your thoughts on Kathy's talk in the comments.

A Bodhisattva takes the Four Great Vows. Reverend Wongong So reflects on how, in moments of self-doubt and spiritual ennui, returning to our original vows can help us remember the ultimate reason for our practice: Liberating ALL sentient beings.

This is Part 1 of Reverend WonGong’s deep dive on Yin and Yang from August of 2017. Balancing Yin and Yang can be a vital step to improved functioning of body and mind. Learn what these terms actually mean, how they relate to karma and how balancing these dual principles can improve your physical health and general well-being.

Our dear temple friend, Kelly gives a talk on progressing on the spiritual path and how faster is not always better. Please enjoy her thoughtful sharing and please share any reflections in the comments!

Podcast Notes: https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

If you've ever wondered how to get started with Koan practice, this is the place to start. In Rev. WonGong & Rev. Song's talk on September 24, 2017, they discuss how Won Koans, or Hwadu, are intended to both reveal our True Nature and Illuminate Human affairs and Universal Principles. A koan can be a profound question or simply the question of why our washing machine keeps leaving stains on our clothes.

Reverend Dr. Bokin Kim discusses her travels in India and reflects on the fact that the historical Buddha "was born on the road, lived on the road, and then died on the road." Demonstrating the ways in which Buddhism has continuously promoted equality, she teaches that the 4 Essentials are as integral to Won Buddhism as they are consistent with the Buddha's original teachings.

Rev. WonGong shares her personal healing journey with her mother, who brought many challenges to their family. This talk serves as a living testimony to uncovering “Grace from Harm”, especially with our relationship with parents.

We are grateful to Ven. JukSanim, the Head Dharma Teacher of Won Buddhism, USA. He visited us from Won Dharma Center, Upstate New York to share his blessings on our 20th Anniversary Celebration. 감사합니다 (Kam Sah Hahm Nee Dah)

According to the scriptures of Won Buddhism, our actions should be based on sound thought. What happens when habits form, and actions become automatic? Rebecca Kameny reflects on the importance of heedfulness in knowing when to form a habit and when to break it.

Pete and Julie Warshaw gave this wonderful talk about Questioning, one of the 8 Articles, in April of 2019. While Questioning is an essential practice to cultivate, we must remember to fit it in with Faith, Zeal, and Dedication. Pete and Julie challenge us to think about how our ego and preconceived notions may be wrapped up in our deep questions and doubts.

Our temple friend and member, Shauna Hay (Won SonHa), shares about how dedication and wisdom can help us master skills and learn things that we never imagined we could. Sometimes, the practice itself is our best teacher, even when the practice is standing on your head!

Depending upon our choices, technology can be a powerful gift...or, it can drag us into misery! Won Buddhism's founding motive speaks to this directly. In this insightful talk, Patty Daniel (Hwa Tawonim) highlights how our practice aids us to appreciate and control technology rather than having it smother our lives

What is the essence of the true nature of the universe? Although words and concepts cannot give us the full answer, they do give us glimpses of this fundamental Truth. In this insightful and informative dharma talk, Rev. WonGong beautifully guides us through the teachings and illustrations of true nature.

When it comes to meditation, have you ever wondered, "Am I doing this right?" Paige Doster-Grimes discusses the need for engaged calmness during meditation, emphasizing the importance of being alert and grounded in the present moment. Giving Master Sotesan's instructions for meditation, she tells us how to manage both drowsiness and/or a busy mind.

Receiving a Dharma Name is a great honor that represents an absolute commitment to the Won Buddhist path. Linda Cato received her name in 2025. This is her reflection on the journey that brought her there.

Dharma shines brightly from so many places – even pumpkin vines! In this delightful talk, Rev. WonGong shares insight into the way dedicated teachers help guide their students. Just as she carefully uncurls the tendrils of misdirected pumpkin vines, our teachers help us untwist our clenched tendrils, so we can grow in beneficial directions.

How special that we have the very first Won Mu (Lay Minister of Won Buddhism) in our temple community! Kathleen Herr is a dedicated and loving Won Mu. In this talk, she shares her heart-full words of wisdom on her practice journey.

Receiving a Dharma Name is a great honor that represents an absolute commitment to the Won Buddhist path. Jenn Robinson received her name in 2024. This is her reflection on the journey that brought her there.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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?

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.

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.

Reverend Shaun was inspired to give this talk after receiving a call at the temple residence from someone asking him if he believed in God. His answer may surprise you.

There are many benefits to meditation and many ways to meditate. But what if the real reason we meditate is to increase our cool factor? Patty Daniels (HwaTawonym) discusses how gaining freedom of mind comes only through consummate practice and a great vow.

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.