What, exactly, is a "DahnJon" (Dantien) and how can it vitalize our meditation? Rev. WonGong translates this Asian concept into a concrete practice that helps us burn our abundant thought-wood in the fireplace of our breathing steam engines. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
The Joy of DANA: Why I Donate by Nate Jackson (Won JaySon)
The true art of giving is an art defined by joy! In this heartwarming dharma talk, longtime practitioner Nate Jackson (Won JaySon), reflects on his own journey of joy catalyzed by a DANA practice that springs spontaneously from his heart. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Gratitude: Realizing Connections by Rev. Shaun Song
Oftentimes, we do not appreciate how gratitude is connected with our original true nature or with impermanence. But, in this happily reflective dharma talk, Rev. Shaun Song highlights these truths and shares how they have unfolded in his life. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
The Nitty Gritty of Meditation by Ann Freeman (Won HaeRee)
Have you ever wondered about how other people experience sitting meditation? Long-time practitioner, Ann Freeman (Won HaeRee) did, and it inspired her to embark on a wonderful journey of discovery by interviewing fellow practitioners to find answers. Listen in and enjoy the tour! https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Bowing to Wild Turkeys by Paula Sims (Won ShimJin)
To prepare for death is to prepare for living fully. With a keen eye, longtime practitioner, Paula Sims (Won ShimJin) explores this topic through the lenses of the book, A Year to Live, by Stephen Levine; the Buddhist teaching of the Five Remembrances; and a flock of wild turkeys in her backyard. Each helps her unfurl the power of resistance and the power of gratitude in her life. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Diamond Sūtra - Dāna Pāramitā by Rev. ZiYoung
"What is the purpose of practice?" Buddhism asserts that suffering, and the path to freedom from suffering is something sentient beings have in common. Rev. ZiYoung introduces a profound practice found in one of Buddhism's pivotal texts, the Diamond Sūtra, which illuminates true nature. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
The Four Great Vows - The Pillars of Mindfulness, Peace, and Service by Tiffany Heath
In this wonderfully dynamic dharma talk, Won Buddhist practitioner, Tiffany Heath (Won Dwok Hwa) describes how the Four Great Bodhisattva Vows help her to fully be open and present in her work on behalf of others and not entangled by judging a world she is helping to heal. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Carol's Retreat Reflections
Won Dharma Center retreatan, Carol Golin, shares how practicing in nature reenergized the depleted energy she experienced while practicing at home. See how this nature-reset impacted her practice as she now settles back into a daily routine. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Spiritual Joy by Rev. WonGong
For some practitioners, a focus on the discipline of practice may cause deep spiritual joy to seem elusive. But, in this encouraging dharma talk, Rev. WonGong breaks through such self-created barriers. She reflects on the many facets of joy that humans experience – from the fleeting to the profound – and shares her perspectives about the source and power of spiritual joy. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Pete's Retreat Reflections
What, exactly, happens during a Won Buddhist retreat? Long time temple practitioner Pete Warshaw (Won Jee Ho) details the many practices in which you may engage, and the impact they may have on your personal spiritual path. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Not, but Not Not by Cassie Hanson
Koan contemplations can be challenging, but in this dharma talk, Won Buddhist practitioner, Cassie Hanson, turns those challenges into poetry as she invites us to journey with her in a search for connection, meaning, and awakening. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Janice Marie's Retreat Reflections
In beautiful prose, dharma friend Janice Marie invokes the image of Mount Tai as an offering in gratitude to her retreat teachers, and also as the aspiration and model of her own practice.
Jared's Retreat Reflections
What arises for you when you attend a week-long retreat? Dharma friend Jared Heelis (Won JaeRyong) shares how his karmic struggles with "Noble Silence" helps to expose true nature. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Irene's Retreat Reflections
What is it like to attend a focused, seven day retreat in noble silence? Irene Sadler shares her deep and vulnerable reflections about the internal chatter that can rise up, and at the same time, show the way to a deeper connection with true nature. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
In Nature, Our True Nature by Rev. WongGong
Rev. WongGong asks if we need to spend our lives forever pulling out the proliferating mind-weeds of distraction and disturbance? The secret may lie in the fact that there is no garden, and therefore, no weeds! Can this be so? See what Rev. WonGong means in her dharma message on this important topic. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Early Autumn Dharma by Rev. WonGong
In this beautiful and seasonal dharma talk, Rev. WonGong invites us to embrace early autumn’s balance of yin and yang in our practice and in our lives. She encourages us to abide in the harmonious energies of warmth and coolness, and to be like autumn trees – letting go of what is no longer useful so that we can experience vast spaciousness. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Am I a Servant of My Own Emotions? by Rebecca Kameny (WonHee)
Many people think emotions "just happen," but long-time practitioner, Rebecca Kameny (WonHee), describes the distinct ways sentient beings, bodhisattvas, and buddhas become masters or servants of their emotions. Interwoven into this is an exploration about how emotions are experienced and identified across cultures. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
My Journey to North Carolina by Rev. Shaun
The newest Kyomunim to join to the North Carolina Temple, Rev. Shaun, relates his surprising journey from the birthplace on Won Buddhism in Korea, to the Chapel Hill community. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Herding the Ox of the Mind Part 2 by Nik Wall (Won HaeWol)
What does it mean "to train the ox of our mind?" Nik Wall (Won HaeWol), deftly explores some answers to that question by guiding us through two verses from the famous Buddhist allegory of practice, The 10 Oxherding Pictures. This talk focuses on a point midway in our practice journey, when we balance between holding onto our mind with discipline and letting it roam free. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Wanting Oneness: Psychedelics? Meditation? by Rev. WonGong
Asking Rev. WonGong if she has ever "...achieved oneness through meditation?" brings an enthusiastic "Yes!" So, how does this experience of oneness differ from employing mind-altering psychedelics? One's aspiration may be key. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations