
Ven. Juksanim
The Head Dharma Master of Won Buddhism USA
January 12th, 2021 is an historic day for Won Buddhism USA. The Venerable Juksanim was officially appointed Head Dharma Master of the Won Buddhism USA.
Sotaesan, the founding master of Won Buddhism said that every nation should have its own Head Dharma Master to help spread Won Buddhism dharma in the different cultural environments of the world.
In 1999, a new article, The Overseas Headquarters, was added to the Won Buddhism Constitution so that each country could legally have its own Head Dharma Master.
In 2011, the Won Dharma Center was established in New York State as the first step in the establishment of a US Won Buddhism Headquarters. The Won Dharma Center began as a spiritual center to provide meditation retreats and dharma services to the community. Now, the Won Dharma Center has become the Won Buddhism Headquarters of the USA, and it is ready to embark on additional tasks such as creating new procedures and regulations appropriate to the different environments of the USA.
We are pleased and honored to announce that Won Buddhism temples and centers in the US will be guided by the spiritual leadership of Venerable Juksanim. The Won Buddhism Headquarters of the USA maintains its dharma lineage linked to the Central Won Buddhism Headquarters of Korea, but remains independent in most areas including making its own laws and regulations.
Venerable Juksanim officially represents the Won Buddhism USA and will reside at the Won Dharma Center. Venerable Juksanim was ordained a Won Buddhist minister in 1979. He is the first overseas Head Dharma Master of Won Buddhism anywhere in the world.
The official inauguration ceremony hold on September 12th, 2021 at the Won Dharma Center. Venerable Jeonsanim, the Head Dharma Master of the Central Headquarters of Won Buddhism as well as many other honored guests will be attending.