WON BUDDHIST STUDIES
woninstitute.edu
WON BUDDHISM
Founded in 1916 with the awakening experience of Sot’aesan Pak Chung-bin (1891-1943), Won Buddhism is a contemporary, reformed Korean Buddhism that brings Buddhist teachings and practice out of the monasteries and into the lives of everyday people. Won Buddhism is guided by the conviction that spiritual cultivation is necessary to balance material and technological advances. As its founder, Sot’aesan led the new Won Buddhist order for twenty-eight years during the Japanese colonial occupation of Korea and World War II. He built a strong foundation for Won Buddhism through three key undertakings: edification, education, and charity. Before his death in 1943, he compiled and published the doctrine and teachings of Won Buddhism with several classic Buddhist texts, which all represent the foundation of the Won Buddhist Studies Program.
Being into nonbeing and nonbeing into being Turning and turning - in the ultimate Being and nonbeing are both void Yet this void is complete Learn more about Won Buddhism on our Won Buddhism Explained webpage.
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Won Institute of Graduate Studies, located in Warminster, Pennsylvania, is a regionally accredited graduate school offering programs in Acupuncture Studies, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Won Buddhist Studies.
WON INSTITUTE... Employs a diverse faculty, many of whom are professional practitioners, business owners, and meditation specialists. Offers small class sizes allowing faculty members to share their expertise with students in a personalized learning environment. Has a fully-staffed faculty and student acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine clinic that sees patients throughout the week, a well-established library, and strong student support services. Focuses on self-cultivation and personal development through meditation and journaling assignments. This gives acupuncturists a new tool for treating patients and aids students in developing awareness by becoming more perceptive to the needs of others. Hosts a variety of guest speakers Continuing Education (CE) events
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Minutes to Center City Philadelphia Warminster, PA, is a suburb of Philadelphia – less than 20 minutes from Doylestown, 15 minutes to Willow Grove and 45 minutes from Center City Philadelphia.
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WON BUDDHIST STUDIES Won Institute of Graduate Studies is the only higher-education institution outside of Korea that offers Won Buddhist Studies. The Won Buddhist Studies program welcomes individuals interested in learning about Won Buddhism and Buddhism in general. It prepares prospective Won Buddhist ministers for ordination and educates lay leaders. Our program is designed to assist students in building a strong practice and to prepare them for teaching Won Buddhism. The practice aspect of the program is paired with an equally important academic component. Students develop a thorough understanding of Won Buddhism and build critical thinking, research, and academic writing skills. Students may focus on areas of specific interest, such as meditation, moving meditation, Buddhist philosophy, or Won Buddhist doctrine.
“Community is the living heart of Buddhism.”
COMMUNITY Whether learning to integrate Won Buddhism or other Buddhist practices into one’s life, studying for ordination, or preparing for lay leadership, being part of a community of practitioners is invaluable. As one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism, the community of practitioners represents the living heart of Buddhism. Students in the Won Buddhist Studies program are part of a small, intimate community of serious practitioners and interact with many non-Buddhists exploring the ancient wisdom teachings offered at the Won Institute. Monthly temple services bring students and temple members together for meditation, dharma talks, and discussions of practice. 5
WON BUDDHIST STUDIES PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE Won Buddhist Studies students learn to cultivate their own contemplative practice. Through a practical and simple daily discipline of contemplative stillness and active engagement, students develop a practical application of Won Buddhist principles. Our program culminates with a practicum experience (optional for Certificate track students), in which students apply their knowledge to teaching others. They learn how to create a calm, welcoming environment for teaching dharma or practice such as yoga or meditation.
ALUMNI & ORDINATION A Master’s Degree in Won Buddhist Studies provides students with a solid foundation for a career in helping professions, such as social work, chaplaincy or lay leadership within the Won Buddhist community. Many students enroll simply to further personal development or spiritual goals. Anyone interested in the Buddhist path is welcome in our classrooms. The ordination track prepares students for ordination into the Won Buddhist Order. Our ordained alumni work as ministers in Won Buddhist temples and retreat centers, teach meditation, and serve as chaplains. Students may also choose to pursue the Master’s Degree in Won Buddhist Studies as a foundation for future academic studies. Several of our students have entered prominent MA and PhD programs at other institutions.
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PROGRAM DETAILS MASTER OF WON BUDDHIST STUDIES The 36-credit program in Won Buddhist Studies leads to a Master of Won Buddhist Studies (MWBS) degree. There are two tracks in the program: the general track and the ordination track. Students with an academic, professional, or personal interest in studying Won Buddhism are invited to enroll in the general track. This track integrates spiritual awakening, critical thinking, and active service to help create and augment a student’s academic, professional, or personal goals. This track also provides education and training for laity interested in leadership roles within the community.
Years to
2 Complete *full time
36 Credits Program
2 Retreats per Year
The ordination track provides a high-quality professional education to students preparing for ordination as Won Buddhist ministers.
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PROGRAM DETAILS
MWBS REQUIRED COURSES WON BUDDHISM (12 CREDITS) WBS 531 WBS 536 WBS 541 WBS 660
(3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits)
Heart of Awakening Cultivating the Mind Ground of Won Buddhist Ethics Master’s Degree Project**
** required for general track
PRACTICE (10 CREDITS) 9 credits from the following: WBS 520 WBS 560 WBS 585 WBS 650 CC 570 CC 575
(3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits)
Buddhist Meditation* Basics of Meditation Facilitation Survey of Contemplative Practice Won Buddhist Homiletics and Liturgy* Theory and Practice of Vital Energy I** Theory and Practice of Vital Energy II
1 credit earned by completing two of the following: CC 510 CC 520 CC 521
(0.5 credit) Moving Meditation I (0.5 credit) Moving Meditation II (0.5 credit) Moving Meditation III
* Required for ordination-track students
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PROGRAM DETAILS
THEORY & APPLICATION (12 CREDITS) WBS 500
(3 credits)
Critical Thinking and Writing Research Papers
9 credits from the following: WBS 505 WBS 515 WBS 545 WBS 570 Society WBS 580 WBS 620 WBS 625 WBS 640 WBS 645 WBS 655 WBS 675
(3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits)
Basic Buddhist Teachings Issues in Interfaith Dialogue Buddhism and Modernity Applications of Meditation for the Individual &
(3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits)
Buddhist Psychology History of Buddhist Philosophy and Practice** Won Buddhism Encounters the West Future Development of Won Buddhism The Science of Meditation Won Buddhist Temple Management* Independent Study
CC 591
(1 credit)
Mental Health Issues: Special Topics
* required for ordination track ** required for general track PRACTICA (2 CREDITS) WBS 550 (1 credit) WBS 680 (1 credit)
Practicum I * Practicum II *
* required for all students
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PROGRAM DETAILS CERTIFICATE IN WON BUDDHIST STUDIES
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Year to Complete
18 Credits 1
Program Retreat
The Certificate in Won Buddhist Studies (CWBS) is an 18-credit program for students wishing to deepen their understanding of Buddhist and Won Buddhist doctrine, foster a personal contemplative practice, or broaden their career options. Students can customize their program to suit individual interests and development goals. Certificate students can choose to enroll in the Master’s degree program in Won Buddhist Studies and may apply their certificate courses toward the completion of the Master of Won Buddhist Studies degree. This is an advanced course of study designed to: Deepen acquaintance with Buddhist and Won Buddhist doctrine Foster a personal contemplative practice Create new, or broaden existing, career options Enhance or develop new contemplative skills as part of the life-long process of learning.
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PROGRAM DETAILS CWBS REQUIRED COURSES WON BUDDHISM (9 CREDITS) WBS 531 (3 credits) Heart of Awakening WBS 536 (3 credits) Cultivating the Mind WBS 541 (3 credits) Ground of Won Buddhist Ethics ELECTIVE COURSES (MINIMUM OF 9 CREDITS) Theory and Application WBS 505 (3 credits) WBS 520 (3 credits) WBS 545 (3 credits) WBS 560 (3 credits) WBS 570 (3 credits) and Society
Basic Buddhist Teachings Buddhist Meditation Buddhism and Modernity Basics of Meditation Facilitation Applications of Meditation for the Individual
WBS 580 WBS 585 WBS 620 WBS 645 WBS 675
(3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits) (3 credits)
Buddhist Psychology Survey of Contemplative Practice History of Buddhist Philosophy and Practice The Science of Meditation Independent Study
CC 570 CC 575 CC 591
(3 credits) (3 credits) (2 credits)
Theory and Practice of Vital Energy I Theory and Practice of Vital Energy II Mental Health Issues: Special Topics
Practice WBS 610 CC 510 CC 520 CC 551 CC 571
(3 credits) (0.5 credit) (0.5 credit) (0.5 credit) (0.5 credit)
Buddhist Pastoral Counseling Moving Meditation I Moving Meditation II Sitting Meditation I Sitting Meditation II
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PROGRAM DETAILS PROGRAM GOALS: Prepare students to be Won Buddhist ministers, lay leaders, and scholars Understanding Won Buddhist thought through the lens of a new religious ethics of beneficence, social justice, and the threefold practice (samadhi, prajna, sila) Fluency in the Won Buddhist Canon Understanding the history and development of Won Buddhism Instruction in the rituals, homiletics, liturgy and the role of clergy in the Won Buddhist community, including the youth ministry Instruction in the full range of practices including: chanting, journaling, seated and moving meditation and their psychophysical effects on the well-being of the individual Prepare students to deliver to American audiences the teachings, practices, and rituals of Won Buddhism. Expand understanding of contemporary spirituality in the U.S. WON BUDDHIST STUDIES PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Critical thinking and textual analysis Graduate-level academic research and writing Knowledge of the critical issues facing contemporary Won Buddhism Practicing inter-religious dialogue and ecumenism Ministerial work and leadership as a spiritual mentor or counselor Designing and delivering a training model based on the teachings of Won Buddhism Providing ongoing consultation regarding Buddhist and Won Buddhist meditation Applying Won Buddhist teachings in America
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ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS & FINANCIAL AID For ordination-track students, there are two modes of entrance into the program: 1. The first requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Won Buddhist Studies (offered only in select universities in South Korea). No prerequisites are
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Fall Term Deadline
11.15
Spring Term Deadline
required for students holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Won Buddhist Studies. 2. The second mode requires any Bachelor’s Degree and completion of a Preparatory Won Buddhist Studies (PWBS) course PWB500 Canon I . Upon completion of the course, the second-mode ordination-track students may enroll in WBS courses concurrently with the remaining PWBS courses. a. Ordination-track students must complete 18 credits of PWBS courses (outlined in the program description above) before completing the WBS program. Exceptions to these cases may be granted with the approval of the department chair. General track students who do not have a Bachelor’s degree in Won Buddhist Studies may also apply for enrollment in the WBS Master’s program, but they must complete a prerequisite course, PWB500 Canon I in order to enroll in certain master-level Won Buddhist courses. All applicants to this program must complete the admissions application and submit two letters of recommendation, a letter of intent, photo ID, official transcripts, and the application fee. 13
Review Admissions Requirements on our website.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS & FINANCIAL AID
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS Complete the same admissions requirements as domestic applicants. Complete the TOEFL Internet-Based Test (IBT) with a minimum overall score of 80, a MyBest score of 79, OR complete the IELTS test with a minimum overall score of 6.5. We also accept the TOEFL Essentials test with a minimum band score of 8. Submit their undergraduate transcripts to World Education Services (www.wes.org) or an equivalent NACES-approved evaluation agency to determine U.S. equivalence. Submit a completed application by June 1 for fall term and October 1 for spring term More information is available on our International Students page.
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ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS & FINANCIAL AID
FINANCIAL AID Financial Aid is offered in the form of scholarships and Federal Financial Aid. Federal Financial Aid is available for those who are enrolled at least half-time in the program and meet the eligibility. requirements. More information about Financial .Resources is available on our websit
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Fall Term Scholarship Deadline
11.15
Spring Term Scholarship Deadline
Tuition for Won Buddhist Studies programs is $453 per credit hour. Tuition for Preparatory Won Buddhist Studies courses is $283 per credit hour. Song Dok Scholarship Fund President Emeritus of the Won Institute, Dr. Yoon Suk Koh, established the Song Dok Scholarship in 2007 to honor his mother, Song Dok Kim. The Song Dok Scholarship is specifically designed for current matriculated Won Buddhist ministers who wish to enroll in Won Institute courses in the WBS program, and for American students who are enrolled in PWBS courses and intend to matriculate into the WBS program. The scholarship is offered in the fall and spring term. At the department chair’s discretion, the scholarship may be made available to American WBS students who are not eligible for other institutional assistance, and for American PWBS students who do not intend to matriculate into the WBS program. These funds are available to help cover the tuition of both full-time and part-time students. 15
SCHEDULE A VISIT STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Come tour our school, meet with admissions staff, or sit in on a class. Schedule a visit online at woninstitute.edu/visit or call 215-884-3468.
“I am very grateful to be here at Won learning about Buddhism with great instructors. I love my classes and leave class knowing something new about Buddhism or myself." Colleen Ruane, Class of 2020
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Scan the QR code to learn more! 800 Jacksonville Road, Warminster , PA 18976 | Phone: 267-884-3468
woninstitute.edu 16