Kathleen Herr (Won HerrJu) shares a deeply personal message about becoming "lassoed" by checklist "have-to's" at the expense of meaningful and fundamental practices.

At the beginning of her talk, Kathleen mentions the practice of service, and invites practitioners near the North Carolina temple to volunteer in the garden if they are so inclined. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Nik Wall (WonHaeWol), a member of the North Carolina Temple, shares his thoughts on practicing mindfully as a way to loosen "thought knots" that occur in our minds. Nik explains that our knotted minds can be helped by understanding a poem by the founding master instructing us that it is "…not not, but not not either…” Nik's interpretation then becomes, "…not knot, but not knot either!" :)

https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org

Michael Macklin (WonHyoung), a long time practitioner at the North Carolina Temple, draws upon his deep study, contemplation, and experience with the Il-Won-Sang vow, a core doctrine found in The Principal Book of Won-Buddhism (http://wonscripture.org/Main/SubIndex/jungjun020104)

Michael's simple and clear explanation of key stanzas helps us better grasp the vow's central objective, experiencing the realm of Il-Won, which is "…beyond all words and speech…"

https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

In her special 911 anniversary message, Rev. WonGong shares a message of healing and wholeness by comparing our lives to that of the lotus flower. Deep roots thrive in whatever type of water the lotus plant finds itself, and its leaves are never sullied by even the muddiest of water. Master Chōngsan wisely encouraged his followers to practice like the lotus in this new world (http://wonscripture.org/Main/SubIndex/jeangsan021116)

Bonnie opens the North Carolina's Saturday service by sharing how she experiences dogs in her life in a real, direct way, and also in a metaphorical sense. She makes the distinction between knowledge in our heads and knowledge in our bodies.

https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

Rev. WonGong models and enlightens the Saturday service attendees of the North Carolina Temple on the finer points of meditating while noses and mouthes are "blanketed" with the coverings that have become a regular part of our lives. Even masks present us with an opportunity to practice!

https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

Member's Talk by Greta(Ja Myong) at Won Buddhism of Manhattan

August 29, 2021

wonbuddhismnyc.org

Rev. WonGong explains how we can recharge our spiritual batteries by engaging in the "Three Great Powers," known in Won Buddhism as the "Threefold Practice" - Cultivation, Inquiry, and Choice in Action. She dives deep into ways we can cultivate these powers by referring to the scriptures and wise teachers, like Master ChōngSan, who saw that these powers involve accumulation and utilization. Rev. WonGong assures us that we can develop equanimity, inquiry, and mindful choice because "Who got the power? …You got the power!"

https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

Rev. WonGong guides practitioners attending Saturday Morning services at the North Carolina Temple with tips on settling in, then sustaining a focused mediation session. She tells us that, "What your mind thinks is non of your business when meditating!"

https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/

Lars, a member of the North Carolina Temple, reflects on serving the North Carolina community and Kyomunims by contributing his technological skill set with no thought of getting anything in return. This has been something powerful for him during the pandemic. He calls this, "…turning harm into grace by turning selfishness into something more powerful…service."