won buddhism

9. The Founding Master said, “People generally think that Sitting Meditation, Chanting the Name of Buddha, or reading scriptures at a quiet place are the only ways of practicing the dharma. They do not know that there is a way of practice to train one’s mind practically in daily life. How, then, can they be expected to know the great practice way of Internal and External Dharma? Generally, the great practice involves initially inquiry into the principle of one’s own self-nature and realizing the realm that is originally free from attachment, and then in everyday life to perform actions that are free from attachment. People who keep to this road will in good time attain great ability. If one practicing the Way is not attached or drawn to any other matter while doing something, or not drawn to another concern while doing something else, then one is practicing concentration of mind. One who manages all affairs in good order after fully comprehending the principle of them is actually practicing Dharma Study. If one is not attached or drawn to anything while doing this or that, one is actually practicing Mindful Choice in Action. If in one’s free time one focuses on ‘one-pointedness of mind’ by reciting the Buddha’s name or sitting in meditation, or on ‘Dharma Study’ by deepening one’s acquaintance with the scriptures, and one continues to practice unremittingly whether or not one is involved in activity, then inevitably the power of Cultivation will accumulate in Spirit, the power of Dharma Study will be gained in all Human Affairs and Universal Principles, and the power of Mindful Choice will develop in Action.

from The Scriptures of Won Buddhism, Chapter 3, v. 9

60. The Founding Master said, “From ancient times in religious orders they have said that to find the Mind‐Field is Enlightenment to our true Nature, and to cultivate the Mind‐Field is both Nurturing our true Nature and Utilizing our true Nature. All Buddhas and saints regarded mind training as their destined task, and mind training is the basic element of teaching among all peoples of the world. Therefore, in order to do this we have established the three essentials ‐ Spiritual Cultivation, Dharma Study, and Mindful Choice in Action ‐ as major courses for cultivating the Mind‐Field. And in order to teach people how to practice them every day, we have given instructions on the method. The course in Spiritual Cultivation is the one that cleans and refines the Mind‐Field so that it may be farmed. The course in Dharma Study is the one that gives knowledge of farming and ability to distinguish crops from weeds. The course in Mindful Choice in Action is the one that teaches us how to use knowledge correctly so that the harvest will be great and will not fail. In the present world, with the development of scientific civilization, people’s greed is surging day by day. Hence, if we do not engage in a training that cultivates the mind-field, we will not be able to overpower that greed; and if we do not overpower that greed, it will be difficult for this world ever to find peace. Therefore, in the coming world, people will naturally seek to cultivate the Mind‐Field, and then they will be looking for a true religion which will have special qualities to teach people how to cultivate the Mind‐Field. People who practice perfect moral training will be highly respected. You followers, take this chance to make your determination stronger and try to become ideal farmers greatly successful in cultivating the Mind-Field.”

from The Scripture of the Founding Master, Chapter 3, v. 60