The Condition and Method of Won-Buddhist Edification

ABSTRACT

This study proffers a general description of the edification methods used by Won-Buddhism with a special focus on classifying and organizing Sotaesan’s past edification by examining the various condition and methods in areas such as education and charity, And finally suggesting tasks for the future. Despite the constraints placed on Koreans during the period of Japanese colonial rule, for 28 years, Sotaesan managed to overcome obstacles to organize and create a system centering on Youngsan, Byeonsan, and Iksan while publically organizing an association in order to train youth and compile the main scriptures. Without wavering in the harsh conditions, Sotaesan laid down the groundwork for edification, placing priority on the fields of edification, education and charity. Among them, the most characteristic edification method of Won-Buddhism worth mentioning is precisely the ‘edification group.’ It is expected that the quantitative and qualitative conditions of edification will develop through the ten-member unit therefore in recent years the order has put forth efforts to run a ‘Retreat to Train Twenty thousand Edification Group Leaders.’ In addition, efforts have been made to organize a system, which develops edification that contributes to local residents and the local community. In other words, seeking joint edification by implementing an autonomous diocese as well as establishing a corporate branch. In order to expand the base of edification and diverge from temple-centered edification, there have been many new attempts to develop army edification, police force edification and so on. It is also worth noting that in October 2011, the first overseas headquarters, the Won Dharma Center, opened in the U.S. as a way to spur international edification. In the future, it will be extremely important to develop edification through appropriate scales and efforts that present methods to resolve societal issues based on the Won-Buddhist doctrine.