Description
 
Won Buddhism emerged in early twentieth-century Korea after a long period of anti-Buddhist repression. It is a syncretic tradition, a form of Buddhism strongly influenced by the Chŏson dynasty's Neo-Confucian ethical heritage and by Daoism. Seeking to deliver sentient beings from suffering and to create a just and ethical world, Won Buddhism stresses practical application of the dharma and service. It offers a vision of people as one family, morally perfected.
 
This book provides the first English translations of the writings of Chŏngsan (1900–62), the second dharma master of Won Buddhism, who codified the new religion's central doctrines. The translations here include Chŏngsan's discussion of Buddha-nature, described as a mind-seal and symbolized by the Irwŏnsang (a unitary circle); his synthesis of Confucian moral and political programs with Buddhist notions of emancipation from birth and death; and his expositions on realizing the ideal of all people as one family.
 
 
 
Reviews
 
"The introductory chapter offers a succinct overview of the history and, more particularly, the main themes of Chŏngsan's systematizing teachings. The translation itself is carefully crafted and impresses by its engaging and accessible style. This work is an important contribution and a 'must-read' for everyone interested in East Asian Buddhism and Korean religions." — Religious Studies Review
 
"Chung's book is an important addition to the small existing oeuvre on the Won Buddhist tradition of Korea. This is an elegant, accessible, and carefully annotated translation of a seminal work." — Robert Buswell, editor of Religions of Korea in Practice
 
 
 
Contents
 
 
Preface      vii
Abbreviations and Conventions      xi
 
Introduction
  Background    1
  The Life of Chŏngsan    5
  The Central Doctrine of Won Buddhism    15
  The Thought of Chŏngsan    25
  Concluding Remarks    47
 
TRANSLATIONS ------
 
Part One: The Canon of the World (Sejŏn)
 
  Chapter One. General Introduction    53
  Chapter Two. Education    55
  Chapter Three. Family    59
  Chapter Four. Religious Faith    63
  Chapter Five. Society    65
  Chapter Six. The Nation    69
  Chapter Seven. The World    71
  Chapter Eight. Rest    73
  Chapter Nine. Nirvãna    77
  Chapter Ten. An Outline    79
 
 
Part Two: The Dharma Words (Pŏbŏ)
 
  I. Aspiration and Planning    83
  II. Taking Care of the Fundamentals    97
  III. Fundamental Principles    113
  IV. Exposition of Scriptures    135
  V. Exhortations for the Practice of the Way    149
  VI. Moral Culture    159
  VII. On Being Diligent and Truthful    181
  VIII. Edification in Response to Capacities    189
  IX. Dharma Admonitions    201
  X. The Destiny of the Way    209
  XI. On the Korean National Destiny    219
  XII. On Birth and Death    231
  XIII. The Last Instructions    245
 
 
Part Three: Other Selected Writings
 
  I. On Irwŏnsang    255
  II. Truth, Faith, and Practice of Irwŏnsang    263
  III. Ode to the Consummate Enlightenment    265
 
Notes    273
Chinese Character Glossary    289
Glossary of Terms    297
Selected Bibliography    313
Index    317