Our History

Sotaesan, the founding master of Won Buddhism, was born to a common peasant family in 1891 in South Korea. After many years of searching for the truth and ascetic practice, he attained great enlightenment on April 28, 1916.
After reading the Diamond Sutra, Sotaesan said, "Shakyamuni Buddha is truly the sage of sages." He then linked his dharma lineage to Shakyamuni Buddha.

Although Sotaesan embraced the traditional Buddhadharma, he modernized and revitalized it so that the dharma would be more relevant to our contemporary world, thereby allowing as many people as possible to utilize Buddhadharma to enrich their everyday lives.
One of his first dharma works was to create a communal setting where people from all walks of life could work, study and practice the dharma together. This was done to realize his vision: “Buddhadharma is daily life and daily life is Buddhadharma.”

After Sotaesan’s passing in 1943, Master Chongsan, Sotaesan’s chief disciple, became the Second Head Dharma Master.
Based on Sotaesan’s vision of creating the World of Oneness, Master Chongsan carried out many dharma works, which were epitomized by his Triple Universal Ethics: All religions and philosophies are based on a common source; all human beings and all forms of life are interdependent as One Earth Community; and all social, economic, religious and political enterprises have a common purpose: creating a peaceful world.

Master Chongsan's 'Triple Universal Ethics' provides a strong spiritual and ethical foundation with which to actualize the Charter of the United Nations: We the People of the United Nations have a Common Principle and Common Purpose as One Family to live well individually and to create a better world collectively.
In order to create One World Community, Won Buddhism has actively engaged in and promoted inter-religious dialogue, and worked with other religions and religious leaders to solve global problems and create world peace. In particular, Won Buddhism has worked hard to realize a United Religions (UR), a counterpart of the United Nations, which is the vision of Master Daesan, the Third Head Dharma Master.

Sangha or spiritual community is the bedrock on which to create peace in the world. In order to establish the Won Dharma Center, a communal-life setting where people from all walks of life learn, practice the dharma, live, and work together, a committee was formed to search for a proper setting. On Feb 21, 2007, a 420 acre site was purchased in Claverack, New York.

The Committee for the Construction of the Won Dharma Center was formed in 2006, and Rev. Sangwon Pack was chosen as the director of the Committee. In March 2010, Rev. Pack was elected as the chairperson of the Board of Directors for Won Buddhism USA. Inc.

On Sep 24th 2007, Thomas Hanrahan was chosen as the architect, Dr. Myungki Sul as the interior designer, and Dr. Youngsun Chung as the landscaper. Thomas Hanrahan is the dean of the Pratt Institute; Myungki Sul is a professor in the department of Interior Design; Dr. Youngsun Chung is a prominent Korean landscaper.

In order to create and discuss various activities and programs which are open to the general public, the Program Committee was formed on Dec. 19th 2007, and has met quarterly every year since then.

The Ground Breaking Ceremony was held on July 5th 2009 with the support of the Korean Headquarters of Won Buddhism and the help of many American members.
It was proclaimed to the realm of universal truth that the Won Dharma Center will become a haven, a spiritual community to help to restore true inner peace and freedom for all people, and to brighten and purify this world.

As of Aug. 2011 five building were completed. The Won Dharma Center was designed as a green community, with sensitivity to Nature and sustainability, and awareness of how tranquility supports a meditative environment. The Center has five eco-friendly structures: The Meditation Hall, Administration Building, Staff Residence, and Guest Residences one and two. Heitmann Builders, Inc. worked closely with the Center to achieve our construction concept.

The first opening retreat was held during the Labor Day holidays, 2011. 50 people studied and practiced the dharma. All retreatants learned and were motivated to apply the Buddhadharma for the enriching their lives.