Organization and system status
1) Organization and system
The organization of Won-Buddhism was embodied in the Buddhism Research Association in 1924, and it is being operated in a centralized form centered on the Buddhist temple. The core of all power in the denomination lies in the 36-member council of priests and janitors, who are elected for six-year terms. Most of the important matters of the church are decided by the janitor’s meeting. The administration of the denomination is divided into the Correctional Service in charge of general administration, the Central Church Council, a legislative body composed of representatives of each region, and the Supervisory Board in charge of various regulations of the denomination.
There are 13 parishes under the umbrella of the Correctional Institute, and each local church is affiliated under them. All personnel and financial rights are in the Correctional Institute and the janitor’s group, and the main function of the Diocese is in the management of affiliated institutions and churches.
As shown in the savings association movement and land reclamation project in the early days of its founding, Won-Buddhism has strived to foster educational, medical, welfare facilities and industrial institutions in the church, aiming for a living religion that is both spiritual and physical. However, the establishment of each local church and each institution is established on the basis of self-reliance without the support of the church, and the operation also maintains an independent operating system. The rituals of Won-Buddhism are Confucian rather than Buddhist.
<Won-Buddhist Yejeon> is composed of Tongrye, Garye, and Gyorye. Tongrye stipulates basic etiquette necessary for human life, and Garye stipulates various procedures for births, marriages, funerals, and ancestral rites required at home. Gyorye stipulates all the ceremonies and procedures that people with the Won-Buddhist faith will conduct centering on the church.
Won-Buddhist ministers are called ‘gyomu’ and are dedicated to realizing Sotaesan’s management plan and aspirations. Those who apply for ministers are qualified to be ministers by graduating from the Department of Won Buddhism at Wonkwang University or the Department of Won Buddhism at Won-Buddhism University in Yeongsan, passing a prescribed examination and graduating from the Won-Buddhist Graduate School (Master’s degree).
After that, they must receive one week of continuing education each year.
The life of a minister is unpaid, and only a certain amount (minimum living expenses) is provided by the church or institution where he/she works.
On the other hand, male and female ministers are equal and marriage is institutionally permitted, but female ministers have not married until now. In addition, he argued that only mutually beneficial and harmonious relationships between social groups and nations can drive the progress and development of human history. Therefore, in the new era of the Gaebyeok, ‘Buddhism is everywhere‘, so it was said that ‘everything should be unfair’. In this respect, Won-Buddhism’s attitude toward human history can be said to be trustworthy in human beings and prospects for infinite progress.
2) Status (as of November 30, 2004)
Most of the administrative institutions of Won Buddhism are located at the Central Headquarters of Won Buddhism in Iksan, and churches and institutions are scattered throughout the country. The number of churches and institutions is approximately as follows.
⑴ Dioceses and Churches The edification organization of Won Buddhism is divided into parishes and churches, and there are 503 churches in 13 parishes nationwide.
The total number of ministers working in churches and institutions is about 2,000, and the number of professors is about 1,000,000.
⑵ Institutions In order to achieve the project goals of Won Buddhism, various types of institutions are being operated.
In particular, the Church is promoting economic self-sufficiency through various industrial institutions, with emphasis on spiritual and physical education. The total number of institutions by sector is as follows.
Educational institutions: 8 corporations and 17 institutions including Wonkwang University
Training institutions: 7 places including intermediate training center
Cultural institutions: 13 places including original sound broadcasting
Welfare institutions: 92 institutions in 13 corporations including Wonkwang Welfare Center
Medical institutions: 20 places including Bohwadang Clinic
Industrial organizations: 17 places including Wonkwang Pharmaceutical, 290 other organizations including daycare centers
⑶ Overseas churches and institutions Overseas churches and institutions operate 47 churches and 14 institutions.
By region, the Americas (20/12), Europe (13/1), China (8/0), Japan (6/1), etc.
It operates the International Training Center and Wonkwang Medical Center.
